Lincoln, ON – (January 26, 2022) - Mayor Sandra Easton, Council members and Town staff participated in eight delegations at the 2021 ROMA Annual Virtual Conference on January 23, 24 and 25, 2022.
The Town of Lincoln delegates met with provincial ministers and MPPs to discuss key priorities, programs, and initiatives to help realize the Town's vision of sustainable economic growth, supported by investments in infrastructure and other important community-focused projects.
"Every year, we look to our partners at the Province of Ontario to support the Town of Lincoln as a place to grow, prosper and belong," said Town of Lincoln Mayor Sandra Easton."As always, we appreciate the Province taking the time to listen and provide support for our ongoing key initiatives that support sustainable economic growth and improve community well-being throughout the Town of Lincoln"."
"Within the past year, we have seen many of our advocacy efforts with the provincial government come to fruition thanks to our ongoing discussions with Provincial Ministries at the annual conference," said Town of Lincoln CAO Mike Kirkopoulos. "Through partnerships and collaboration with upper levels of government, local not-for-profits, and community stakeholders, the Town will continue to remain a leader throughout the Niagara Region."
The Town of Lincoln participated in eight delegations to help raise awareness about various Town projects to gain provincial support for several business and community initiatives to stimulate overall economic growth.
Here is a summary of key priorities and projects discussed:
Seniors and Active Living Centre: The Town has a longstanding history of successfully executing programs and projects supported by the Ministry of Seniors and Accessibility (MSA) and intends to apply to upcoming funding opportunities that are anticipated to be released early in 2022. The Town is specifically asking for enhanced funding for the Senior and Active Living Centre (SALC) to the maximum allowed amount of $42,700 and we learned the day after the delegation that the maximum funding was approved. The Town introduced the Seniors Centre Without Walls (SWCC) program in September 2021. SWCC is a free interactive telephone-based group activity program that connects seniors and older adults aged 50+ in various recreational activities.
Youth Skills Studio: The $2M received from the Town's Skills Development Fund has had an outstanding response through a successful program and partnership with Civiconnect. The Town of Lincoln has applied for the Skills Development Fund (SDF) Round 2 application to continue delivering services through the Youth Skills Studio while also introducing a Tourism and Hospitality Training and Certification Program to support Lincoln's hardest-hit sectors from the COVID-19 pandemic. The Town is asking for the Province's support through the SDF Round 2 program.
Ontario Staycation Tax Credit: Last year, the Province announced the Ontario Staycation Tax Credit, allowing Ontario residents to claim eligible accommodation expenses for trips taken across the Province. The Town is advocating for the Province to consider expanding the current program to include other key niche sectors such as transportation/tour operators, entertainment, festival/events, attractions, and food/beverage. Destinations such as Lincoln are typically day-trip travel locations. Including additional sectors would help support day travel and small rural tourism economies, such as the Town of Lincoln.
Niagara Escarpment Crossing: The urgency for the North-South Niagara Escarpment Crossing at Bartlett Avenue in Grimsby was expressed as a priority project in Lincoln. The crossing will reduce commercial vehicle traffic travelling through residential and downtown business districts. This will improve safety, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and ease traffic congestion. All three West Niagara local municipalities, as well as the Niagara Region, support this project.
Craft Beverage Support: COVID-19 has significantly impacted Ontario's wine industry, which is a key contributor to the Lincoln economy and tourism sector. In tandem with Niagara-on-the-lake, the Town urged the Province to eliminate the 6.1% tax applied to VQA wines, which enables Ontario wines to offer direct delivery – with margin – to grocery stores. It establishes long-term VQA wine support programs, increases long-term VQA wine support programs, increases shelf space for VQA wines, and eliminates the import taxes on 100% Ontario VQA wines.
Ontario Community Environment Fund: The Town of Lincoln has applied to the Ontario Community Environment Fund to support native tree plantings at Ashby Drive Park, using an absorbent landscaping green technology in partnership with Vineland Research and Innovation Centre. The Town has strongly asked the Province to consider the Town's application.
Broadband Infrastructure: For many of our businesses, having adequate high-speed internet access has played a major role in delivering products and services to our residents and visitors during the pandemic. To help stimulate investment in Lincoln, the Town has asked for targeted investment from the Provincial government to homes and businesses across the municipality.
Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program: The Town has applied to the Federal Government's Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program and has asked the Province to support and recommend the project to the Federal Government. The proposed project includes the replacement of five of our watermains that experience breaks due to age. The proposed project also includes the procurement of eight additional SmartHydrants used to monitor pressure and temperature in the system in real-time.
Disaster Mitigation and Adaptation Fund: The Town of Lincoln has an active application to the Federal Disaster Mitigation and Adaptation Fund and has asked the Province to support and recommend the project. Our project will adapt the existing shoreline to address rising water levels in Lake Ontario as observed in 2017 and 2019. The project aims to relocate existing roads damaged by flooding and erosion and improve shoreline protection infrastructure in preparation for future events
For more media inquiries, please contact:
Liliana Busnello
Manager of Corporate Communications
Town of Lincoln
Direct: 905-563-2799 ext. 230
Tel: 905-563-8205