On behalf of the Town of…

On behalf of the Town of Whitchurch-Stouffville, Town staff are pleased to provide the following comments on the Proposed Special Economic Zones Criteria (ERO No. 025-1077).

The Town is highly supportive of the opportunity to establish Special Economic Zones (SEZ) to further streamline and support provincially significant economic development projects. The Town of Whitchurch-Stouffville is largely comprised of mid-urban and rural settlements nested within the Province’s Greenbelt Plan and Oak Ridges Moraine Conservation Plan which significantly limits economic development opportunities outside the Town’s settlement areas. Notwithstanding, the western boundary of the Town abuts the Highway 404 corridor, which is a significant provincial corridor for the movement of people and goods, and is an underutilized provincial asset which should be planned to accommodate significant economic development projects, while maintaining the integrity of the natural environment.

In response to the Draft Policy Intent for SEZ and Guiding Questions, the Town provides the following comments:

Project Criteria:

Q: Creating a new Special Economic Zone is meant to be used only for a narrow set of circumstances when it is of the utmost importance to Ontario’s economy and/or security. What criteria could be considered to ensure designation is only used in the most appropriate cases?

The Town supports the proposed criteria, particularly the positive impact on job creation, critical supply chains and using Ontario-made goods and services, which benefit the local community and businesses.

In addition, the SEZ designation should also support and utilize existing and planned provincial and municipal infrastructure. The SEZ designation should be considered for lands which abut or are in close proximity to significant provincial infrastructure, such as the Highway 404 corridor. In this regard, consideration should be given to establishing SEZ’s within the rural and agricultural areas of the Province’s Greenbelt Plan and Oak Ridges Moraine Conservation Plan Area, where a significant provincial economic development project may be accommodated. Critical to supporting the SEZ designation is the planning and construction of municipal water and wastewater infrastructure to service the lands.

The Town has, and will continue to be a strong advocate for supporting economic growth along the Highway 404 corridor, in a manner that is sensitive to the ecological features and functions of the Greenbelt, as outlined in our submission to the Province regarding Provincially Significant Employment Zones (link provided).

Q: The importance of a zone or project is not always measured only in size or dollar value. How else should the impact of a zone or project be considered?

The impact of a zone or project should also consider opportunities to minimize reliance on other countries for critical metals, goods & services, and should create financial resilience through nationalization of certain high grade, high profit and long life natural resources.

Q: Should potentially important ‘moon-shot’ projects be put forward if they could have enormous impact, even if they have a low likelihood of success?

In the Town’s view, potentially important ‘moon shot’ projects should be considered. There may be instances where the planning and development framework/approvals must first be established and highly certain, in order for the proponent to commit to the project and secure any required financing or investments.

Q: Which should be weighted more heavily when considering benefits – the benefit to the province as a whole or the benefit to local communities? Or should they be treated as equally important and essential?

A benefit to Province as a whole is important, however, significant regional and local projects that generate jobs, support economic resilience and elevate the quality of life for local communities is equally important. When municipalities prosper, the Province as a whole also prospers. The Town of Whitchurch-Stouffville’s tax base is largely derived from its residents, and a greater emphasis and opportunity for local job creation is needed to increase the Town’s commercial and industrial tax levies in order to ensure the continued fiscal sustainability of the Town.

Proponent Criteria:

Q: What, if any, special considerations should be given to whether companies from other jurisdictions can be designated as trusted?

While the focus should be on Ontario or Canadian projects, goods and services, there may be instances where specialized labor, hardware, software and necessary investment capital from international partners may be appropriate. The focus should largely be on creating local jobs and utilizing local knowledge, innovation and resources.

Zone Criteria:

Q: Are any criteria missing? Should any be added, removed or modified?

As outlined above, the criteria should also consider how the identified SEZ would make more efficient use of existing and planned provincial and municipal infrastructure, particularly proximity to the Highway 404 corridor and other major infrastructure and facilities.

We appreciate the opportunity to submit these comments for consideration.