Institute for Southern Georgian Bay seeks funding
The aims of volunteer-led Institute for Southern Georgian Bay (ISGB) seem like good ideas, but in the words of Councillor Doug McKechnie, “It’s all a bit abstract.”
Rosalyn Morrison, Chair of the Institute’s Board of Directors appeared before council on Monday evening to ask for $5,000 in partnership support.
Morrison describes the body as a “think and do tank,” committed to harnessing the power of the 100,000 plus people who call the Southern Georgian Bay area home to grow social, environmental and economic prosperity and make this the smartest, greenest, healthiest, most caring region in Ontario. Morrison says ISGB is all about connecting silos and tapping into collective knowledge and resources to tackle wide ranging issues including affordable housing and environmental challenges. The group contends that by collaborating, area municipalities can have greater impact than they would working alone.
Similar funding requests will be made to the other five municipalities in the region: Collingwood, Town of the Blue Mountains, Meaford, Grey Highlands and Wasaga Beach.
McKechnie noted that Clearview recently directed staff to create a Climate Action Committee (CAC). He says it is unclear to him how ISGB can help Clearview achieve climate action goals, and how progress can be measured.
Mayor Doug Measures says while he is supportive of the ideals, Clearview’s goals may not always align with those of neighbouring municipalities. For instance, as an agricultural community, our approach to climate action may be different. He noted that an effort to work together on physician recruitment for the area left him skeptical about the potential for working together.
Councillor Thom Paterson suggested that council needs to understand how the proposed program partnership with ISGB would support Clearview’s Strategic Plan. A decision on the funding request will be deferred until staff have reported to council at the August meeting.
