High-Level Summary

The Oakville City Council meeting on July 29th, attended by Mayor Burton, CAO Jane Kosey, and multiple councillors, primarily focused on the provincially mandated Transit Oriented Community (TOC) program. Key discussions included public consultation processes, legal concerns, and the transparency of the TOC initiative.

Important Topics Discussed

1. Transit Oriented Community (TOC) Program:

   • CAO Jane Kosey introduced the TOC program, emphasizing it as a provincial initiative aimed at creating mixed-use communities near transit stations to facilitate affordable housing and job opportunities. She stated, "It is not controlled by the town," clarifying the town's limited authority over the program.

2. Public Consultation Process:

   • CAO Kosey expressed concerns about the absence of transparency and public involvement in the TOC process. She highlighted, "The Town has provided a strong indication to the province that public engagement needs to be a significant part of this process," conveying council's push for more extensive public input. The initially scheduled public consultation for August has now been postponed to fall.

3. Confidential Briefing:

   • Part of the meeting transitioned into a confidential session to discuss sensitive matters related to the TOC program, including potential litigation, solicitor-client privileged advice, and confidential information from provincial and federal agencies.

4. Public Concerns and Transparency:

   • Throughout the meeting, public worries about the transparency of the TOC process were acknowledged. Mayor Burton remarked, "Plans don't survive contact with reality," addressing the delays in the consultation process and advising residents to voice concerns to their MPP.

5. Legal Framework and Municipal Responsibilities:

   • Discussions reviewed the legal framework under which the council can enter closed sessions. The key legal considerations included litigation risks, solicitor-client communication, and handling confidential information from higher government levels.

Motions and Outcomes

• Motion to Resolve into Closed Session:

  • Title: "Council resolve into a closed meeting session"
  • Moved by: Councillor Adams
  • Seconded by: Councillor Null
  • Outcome: Passed, no objections.

• Motion to Receive Confidential Verbal Update:

  • Title: "Receive the confidential verbal update"
  • Moved by: Councillor Long
  • Seconded by: Councillor Grant
  • Outcome: Passed, no objections.

• Motion for Confirmatory Bylaw:

  • Title: "Confirmatory bylaw"
  • Moved by: Councillor L Chenna
  • Seconded by: Councillor MCN
  • Outcome: Passed, no objections.

Follow-up Actions and Next Steps

1. Public Consultation: The Council will await the province's public consultation process, now scheduled for the fall, and continue advocating for more significant public engagement.

2. Ongoing Discussions: Council and town staff will keep engaging with the province to influence the TOC process and address public concerns.

List of Councillors Present

• Mayor Burton
• Councillor Adams
• Councillor Null
• Councillor Long
• Councillor Grant
• Councillor L Chenna
• Councillor MCN

(Regrets: Councillors Nanda and Shei)