Brantford mayor sets to commission study on amalgamation with Brant County

Brantford Mayor Kevin Davis says he’ll use his strong mayor powers to commission a study examining the cost benefits of amalgamating with the County of Brant.

Article content

Article content

Article content

“I think an important part of an economic development strategy is looking at the issue of amalgamation but you have to do it right,” Davis said at a city council committee-of-the-whole meeting on Tuesday. “You have to do it based on facts not opinions.

“We don’t have much in the way of facts.”

The mayor said he will use his strong mayor powers to direct staff to obtain a fact-based, unbiased assessment done by an outside consultant, economist or accountant to get the city the facts.

Amalgamation is a debate that has been ongoing in the community for decades and is one that’s well-worth having for the economic future of both municipalities but one based on fact, the mayor said.

“Not intended to be contentious or disrespectful, but really more about securing the economic future of this region, not just a municipality,” Davis said.

Article content

County of Brant Mayor David Bailey reacted strongly to the comments made by Davis.

“Let us first state upfront, that the County of Brant is unequivocally opposed to amalgamation with the City of Brantford,” Bailey said. “It is interesting that Mayor Davis states that such a discussion needs to be based on facts, as many of these statements he made are factually incorrect and/or blatantly false.”

Bailey said he’s tired of the continual attempts by Davis “to bully the county” into bending to his will.

“Because we have refused a request to give them something, does not mean they can just come along and take it,” Bailey said. “We have our challenges and problems like any community, but all the wonderful aspects of the county to be celebrated far outshine those issues.

Article content

“We will not allow the city to continually impose their negativity on us.”

Bailey said amalgamation is a complex and serious undertaking and without a willing partner is not a matter for meaningful discussion..

The county suggests that rather than spending taxpayer money on creating a business case to take over its neighbors, the city should focus on making the region more successful by investing in the existing shared services that need attention, Bailey said.

Davis made his comments at the start of a discussion about a proposed economic development strategy. City councilors recommended approval of the strategy.

Davis said economic development is one of the most important initiatives for the community.

Article content

“When I went through the report there were 10 references at least, a minimum of 10 of joint services with the County of Brant,” Davis said. “Since, I was elected that was very much one of my platforms given that we’re two municipalities but really one economic area, one region and most people see it that way.

Clearly, there’s more the city and county could do, Davis said.

The mayor mentioned two attempts to get the county to work with the city but were rebuffed both times. In 2023, the city, in its most recent opening, wanted to establish a joint services committee to address transit and a joint transportation system failed.

“The County of Brant slammed the door on us,” Davis said. “They had absolutely no interest in that.”

Article content

Now the city only has one option to solve its traffic woes in West Brant – the extension of Oak Park Road, Davis said.

Davis said the county clearly doesn’t want to have a relationship with the city that expands and delivers services more efficiently.

But Bailey took issue with those comments.

The municipalities have a history of successful partnerships including social services, paramedics and other economic initiatives, Bailey said.

The city, in 2023, suggested a new joint services committee to explore other areas of collaboration, Bailey said.

“At the time, it was expressly stated that this was not intended to include land acquisition and/or amalgamation,” Bailey said. “This committee was struck in the latter half of 2023 and a short list of potential topics was made.

Article content

“One of the first motions which was brought forward from the city, included expropriating land from the county to assist the city with their transportation problems – starkly in contrast with the statement made just months earlier.”

To say that the city was rebuffed is “categorically false,” Bailey said.

“We in fact, simply proposed a format outside the political committee, which is a proven model that has been used in the past,” Bailey said. “.Further, this is happening, is working and has produced results.

“What has not happened, is transfer of more land to the city, which we have always been clear, is off the table.”

Bailey said any joint services or initiatives must accomplish three goals – common interest, mutual benefit and cost-effectiveness.

[email protected]

Article content