Mayor Ann Lawlor's April 2025 Message

HALTON HILLS, ON – Welcome to Spring! This month’s column is a bit of a grab bag – reflecting a range of activities and issues that are on the Council docket this month.

At the March 24 meeting, Council heard once again about the state of housing in our community. Halton Hills is facing a critical shortage of housing options for lower and middle-income earners – those in entry-level or minimum wage positions, people living on pensions and single wage households with children. Even two-income households struggle to find adequate housing. Recent findings from a local Housing Needs Assessment reveal a dire situation for both rental and ownership housing in the town.

"The rental market is particularly strained, with a significant decline in purpose-built rental units over the past two decades. This shortage has driven rental rates to exceed $2,000 per month," said Nick Michael during a presentation to General Committee. The urgent need for housing is challenging even moderate-income earners.

In response to the housing crisis, the Town is promoting small scale housing projects. There are opportunities for people to renovate their own homes, add an apartment or in-law suite, and generate income as well as provide needed housing. If you have a large lot, a garage that might be converted to living space, an underused basement, and space for an extra parking spot, check out the Town’s web page titled “Additional Residential Units”.

Renovating your home to add an apartment or in-law suite can be a win-win situation. You generate income and provide much-needed housing.

Our environment is also a major topic for our Town Council, and Earth Week is coming up in mid-April. Several programs are available to the public, from outdoor spring clean up to compost giveaways, bike swaps and tree planting vouchers to inspiring films about caring for our planet. Please look online to learn more: haltonhills.ca/Earthweek. 

And finally, a note about the upcoming federal election.

Halton Hills has been split into two ridings, with Acton and rural residents continuing to vote with Wellington County and Georgetown residents now voting with the east side of Milton. While it might be confusing to see different signs and candidates across the Town, it does mean that Halton Hills residents will now have two MPs advocating for their interests, and that’s a good thing! Look at the Elections Canada website to identify the riding in which you live.

This election matters a lot! We need a federal leader who will stare down Trump’s tariffs and manage the economic fallout that will affect us all. Tariffs will drive up costs everywhere, from groceries to cars and already expensive municipal infrastructure projects such as roads and building. This will directly add to property tax pressures. Tariffs will also drive up the costs of new housing that is desperately needed.

Halton Hills Town Council passed a resolution which pushed back on American tariffs and the President’s comments about Canada becoming the 51^st state. When you cast your ballot, please consider who will best manage the threats that face our Canadian sovereignty.

After all, we are residents of Canada’s Most Patriotic Town! Remember that we earned the title by flying over 57,000 Canadian flags on Canada Day to celebrate the country’s 150^th anniversary.