GREGG CHAMBERLAIN gregg.chamberlain@eap.on.ca The old Champlain Daycare building and grounds are up for sale and a local non-profit group would like to acquire the property for low-cost senior housing. The Vankleek Hill Non-Profit Housing Corporation (NPHC) operates the Vankleek Manor on Derby Street in Vankleek Hill, right next door to the former municipal daycare. Gary Barton, chairman for the non-profit group, led a delegation to township council’s January 15 meeting to present a proposal. “We’d like you to give some consideration to a long-term development,” Barton said, adding that the NPHC group would like to develop the property as a seniors housing annex of Vankleek Manor. The non-profit group has a waiting list of four dozen or more seniors in need of living space and the old daycare could be revamped to provide at least six or eight units. Time to plan Last year, before the Christmas break, the old daycare grounds were declared surplus municipal property and subject to a future purchase proposal call. Barton asked council to postpone any immediate plans to sell the property, and give the NPHC time to seek both federal aid and other sources of funding to support its own purchase bid. “One request, one request only tonight,” said Barton, “that you take the time to make a decision, and give us some time to make this work.” Barton noted that Champlain Township and the surrounding area have not had any new major public housing projects since 1992. The United Counties of Prescott- Russell (UCPR) keeps wait lists through its social services departments of social housing demands. Barton noted that during the past five years, the number of people on those lists has more than doubled from 321 in 2013 to 806 last year, and includes families and people of all ages. The UCPR has a meeting scheduled for January 23, with officials from the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) about federal support available for low-cost housing. Barton noted that 2019 is a federal election year which may mean the NPHC can access “seed money” from Ottawa for its plan. “Whatever is built has to be sustainable,” said Barton. “It has to pay for itself.” The non-profit group will also seek other forms of support, including preparing a co- investment with the township proposal for council to consider in future, but it needs time to do all of that. “I’m asking, Mr. Mayor, that you (council) wait until next year,” Barton said, adding that if the NPHC cannot confirm financial support for its project, then township council can go ahead with its original plan to list the property on the open market. Council did not make any immediate decision on the NPHC request. The old daycare was listed as a topic for closed-door discussion, during the in-camera session of council which followed after the public meeting, and it may figure into this month’s municipal budget planning discussions, but that is not definite either. TOWNSHIP COUNCIL ASKED FOR SENIOR HOUSING SUPPORT
ONTARIO ENERGY BOARD NOTICE TO CUSTOMERS OF ENBRIDGE GAS INC. (FORMERLY ENBRIDGE GAS DISTRIBUTION INC. AND UNION GAS LIMITED)
Enbridge Gas Inc. has applied to raise its natural gas rates effective January 1, 2019. Learn more. Have your say.
The Ontario Energy Board approved the amalgamation of Enbridge Gas Distribution Inc. and Union Gas Limited in August 2018. The companies have amalgamated to form Enbridge Gas Inc. Enbridge Gas Inc. has applied to the Ontario Energy Board to raise its natural gas rates effective January 1, 2019. If the application is approved as filed, the yearly bill of a typical residential customer within the former Enbridge Gas Distribution Inc. and Union Gas Limited rate zones will increase by the following amounts: Rate Zones Residential Annual Bill Increase Enbridge Gas $ 5.74 Union South $ 9.98 Union North East $ 4.88 Union North West $ 6.81 The rates are based on a rate-setting framework and other adjustments previously approved by the Ontario Energy Board for the period 2019-2023. The rates are set using a formula that is tied to inflation and other factors intended to promote efficiency. Enbridge Gas Inc. is also asking the Ontario Energy Board to approve its rate design proposal and the costs of certain capital projects that are not part of their regular capital expenditures. Other customers of Enbridge Gas Inc. may be affected. It is important to review the application carefully to determine whether you will be affected by the changes. THE ONTARIO ENERGY BOARD IS HOLDING A PUBLIC HEARING The Ontario Energy Board (OEB) will hold a public hearing to consider the application filed by Enbridge Gas Inc. We will question Enbridge Gas Inc. on the case. We will also hear questions and arguments from individual customers and from groups that represent the customers of Enbridge Gas Inc. At the end of this hearing, the OEB will decide whether the rate increase requested in the application will be approved. The OEB is an independent and impartial public agency. We make decisions that serve the public interest. Our goal is to promote a financially viable and efficient energy sector that provides you with reliable energy services at a reasonable cost. BE INFORMED AND HAVE YOUR SAY You have the right to information regarding this application and to be involved in the process. • You can review the application filed by Enbridge Gas Inc. on the OEB’s website now. • You can file a letter with your comments, which will be considered during the hearing. • You can become an active participant (called an intervenor). Apply by February 5, 2019 or the hearing will go ahead without you and you will not receive any further notice of the proceeding. • At the end of the process, you can review the OEB’s decision and its reasons on our website. LEARN MORE Our file number for this case is EB-2018-0305. To learn more about this hearing, find instructions on how to file letters or become an intervenor, or to access any document related to this case, please enter the file number EB-2018-0305 on the OEB website: www.oeb.ca/participate. You can also phone our Consumer Relations Centre at There are two types of OEB hearings – oral and written. The OEB will determine at a later date whether to proceed by way of a written or oral hearing. If you think an oral hearing is needed, you can write to the OEB to explain why by February 5, 2019. PRIVACY If you write a letter of comment, your name and the content of your letter will be put on the public record and the OEB website. However, your personal telephone number, home address and e-mail address will be removed. If you are a business, all your information will remain public. If you apply to become an intervenor, all information will be public. This hearing will be held under section 36 of the Ontario Energy Board Act, S.O. 1998 c.15 (Schedule B). 1-877-632-2727 with any questions. ORAL VS. WRITTEN HEARINGS
Ontario Energy Board
Commission de l’énergie de l’Ontario
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