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Clinton News-Record, 1970-07-30, Page 20Nature" of program "Distinctive Regional analysis shows unbalanced growth pattern -PAJPW.EVVRN Phi/TARIP DEVELOPMENT BEGAN iclogx PF TPTA1, MAPM.FAPTij8f140 gMPLPYttig.NT 1940-1907 •i1946;;;7QO) 160 7, 140 i 120 100 • HURON '54 ,e1 '62 63 1946 '47 '48 '44 '65 '66 '67 '49 5 I 0 '50 '$1 52 '53 456L--- 57 '58 '51-9- '60 Year PROVINCE MID W F STEM-4 WATERLOO PERTH 100 I 140* 120 4; 100 140 120 100 80 140 120 .00 80 WELLINGTON 160 T 140 • 120 - 100 MacHaughton stresses SUMMER CLEARANCE NOW ON AT HERMAN'S MEN'S WEAR Clinton, Ont. mints:tek seeks comments and suggestions The people of the four-county Midwestern Region of Ontario have been Invited to comment on the government's analysis of the r'egion's steeled and economic needs. The Hon. Charles MacNapghton, Provincial Treasurer and Minister of Economics, said in, presenting the report in Listowel July 27, that the government's development proposals for the region would not be established until there is plenty of opportunity for the people in the region to respond to them and to consider them in terms of their own local interests and to make known how they would be affected and what are the best ways of carrying them out. "These broad provincial plans, and the provincial policies that will , influence the shaping of local plans, are not proposals that are being imposed from on high. "We are particularly interested in suggestions from you about the priorities and long-range proposals for the development of the region," the minister said. "We would like your opinions about the needs and priorities for each zone of the region, item by item, in the kind of detail that will enable us to bring together into an overall program a detailed system of planning policies- and priorities for the region. "We would like your views on transportation systems, on land use,' on recreation areas, on urban growth and centres of influence, on' education needs, on health care facilities, in shcirt on all of the matters dealt with in the report," Mr. MacNaughton set out three questions the government would like to have answered. They are: 1. Do `you agree with our selection of the problems and needs for the regibn? If not, which should be de-emphasized or excluded, and which should be added? 2. What comments do you have regarding the priorities set out in the report? 3. What ideas and information of particular significance froin-li" regional' or 'Ideal polite tif vibiv would you add to our' assessment? Residents will have an opportunity to discuss the report at a series of public meetings to be held throughout the region sponsored by the Midwestern Ontario Regional Development Council. LAblEs• WHITE CROSS and SAVAGE SHOES up yo 40% OFF J.7.44WISALM COMPLETE STOCK MUST BE CLEARED BY AUGUST 22 AS STORE RENTED WINTER FOOTWEAR Ptni ALONE FAMILY Snow Bobo — Over Boots C0rfing Eioent — Sent Skins VI 'PRICE CHILDREN'S BACK TO SCHOOL SHOES . keit. up to `8.98 - *4.99 RUNNING SHOES 142 PRICE AND 1,E$$ ALL SUPPERS • / 2 PRICE SPECIAL TABLES ftoln $1,00 up POR THE FAMILY GARRETT'S SHOE STORE 10 AL6ERY CLikfON THIS WEEK'S SPECIAL 1965 CHIVE, B1SCAYNE SEDAN — V-8, autOrhatic, radio, whitewalls, wheel discs.' Shiny black with red interior. Safety checked ready to go. E74029, 695 CblVIPAR E ANYWHERE McGEE PoNTIAC — Mild( dobuticH Perth and. Huron Counties are geperieneing out-migration of Meng people and a decline in the agriculteral labor force, the department of treasury and economies said in its report- The report said the 'rate of POPielatien growth, in the Midwestern Ontariolltegion (this includes the counties of Huron, Perth, Waterloo and Wellington) since 1961 has been one of the highest of the 10 regions into which the province has beep divided. In 1966, 73 per cent of the 425,775 people in the region lived in urban areas and 54 per cent lived in the "Golden Triangle," made rip of Kitchener-Waterloo, Galt-Preston-Hespeler and Guelph, where more than 86 per cent of the population growth • for the region has occurred. The shift from rural to urban living has caused a lore of people in the more rural counties of Huron and Perth.' In 1966, the population density for the region was 116 people per equare mile, for the province, 20 per square mile and for Perth County, 72 per square mile. The labor force has increased by 20 per cent, partly because of the increase in the number of women working. The agricultural labor force has declined by 11 per cent, the report said. Agriculture is concentrated in Huron and Perth counties; manufacturing in the "Golden Triangle." In the , provision of community, business and personal services, the Midwestern region lagged behind the rest of the province in 1961. Only in the Kitchener area has there been a shift and service employment has been rising, While manufacturing employment has been decreasing. In Huron County, most of the men of working age available for work were in the 15 to 24 and the 65 and over age groups, while those in Waterloo County were in the 25 to 64 age group. The report said this variation indicates fewer young people in Huron County, possibly because of out-migration or a low birth rate, or fewer young people staying in achool.' Peith and Huron Connties have lower rates for female participation in the labor force because they are less urbanized and have less manufacturing activity. Farm wives are not classified in the female labor force. In services, transportation, communications and public utilities in the Midwestern Region rank last of 10 regions. The labor force income in the region per capita in 1967 was $684 less than the provincial' average and the region ranked seventh of 10' regions from 1958 to 1966, in total labor income. Huron and Perth Counties have a greater percentage of households in the under $5,000 income groups — than the provincial norm. But the lower-wage scales do help attract industry to the area, the report said. The educational attainment of the adult population in the region has been increasing but the increase is not as great 'as that of the rest of the province. The proportion of people having Grade 13 or post-secondary education is smallest in Huron and Perth counties. Huron and Perth Counties are expected to show a decrease in the secondary school population, The more urban counties, Waterloo and Wellington have better health facilities than Huron and Perth Counties. The region has fewer defitists and doctors per capita than the rest of the province, although psychiatric facilities fill the region's needs. The Ontario department of health it trying to encourage doctors and dentists to enter general practice in under serviced areas in the province, Such as Milverton and Seaforth through grants and a guaranteed income. The report found that Huron and Perth Counties have a higher incidence of traffic and other accidental deaths than the more urbanized counties. Occupational accidents are lower in the region as are the number of reported crimes. Wellington and Perth Counties have fire occurrence rates above the provincial average: The report said Wedeln hat not been developed adequately and the demand for recreational opportunities hat been incteasing. The number of motels and cottages has inereased OVer the pest decade While the number of hotels and cabins has declined. Cottage deVelOpitient around lakes created by conservation dams is being discouraged, There are e8 conservation areas in the region, and one provincial park, Paint Farms. Such events as the Stratford Shakespearean Festival, the Elmira Maple Sugar Festival and' the Fergus Highland Games, help attract tourists to the area, In Stratford, tourists spent $8,0e0,000 in 1966, and 20 per cent of employment in Stratford and the vicinity is generated by tourism. Midwestern Ontario ranked eighth in the number of visitors and ninth in visitor spending in the 10 regions. Stratford spent 10 cents more than the provincial average of $6,50 per capita on recreatien and community services in 1964, 1965 and 1966, The report suggested developing the river valleys into a system of regional parks and developing historic sites, and increasing the number and capacity of the outdoor recreation facilities. Problems faced by developers are the quality of the watercourses, inaccessibility to the Lake Huron waterfront and the damaging over-use of facilities during peak periods. Economic efficiency seen need of area Goals, needs and priorities for the evelopment of the Midwestern Ontario Region were discussed in a report of the department of treasury and economics which was released July 27. The report, called Design for Development, Midwestern Ontario Region, is a study of Huron, Perth, Waterloo and Wellington Counties. The goals discussed within the report included economic development, transportation and communication, community and regional environment, social and economic welfare, health, public safety, education, and recreation and culture. Economically, the report calls for enhancement of income, output, employment, the economic base, occupational mix and general economic efficiency. The problems faced in reaching,this goal 'include thee. need to improve the output per worker in all sectors of the economy, increase the diversity of employment opportunities, increase the number of urban centres, improve productivity and sales of farms, promote efficient agricultural resource-based industries and improve the market and distribution of farm products. Future development should envision two urban corridors — east from Toronto to Windsor-Detroit and from Windsor-Detroit to the Niagara Peninsula — and consider the need for skilled workers. The report said transportation facilities are adequate for the current volume of traffic, although some highway connections need to be improved and there is a need for better communication facilities and a comprehensive plan for transportation and communications. Hovercraft and hydrofoil services will aid transportation of goods and people on the Great Lakes and pipelines will provide water supplies. GO-trains and containeriza- tion of goods being transported will help solve transportation problems. The report suggests examining pollution and the use of natural resources, space and land in urban areas. The report is concerned with the socially and economically disadvantaged, housing with respect to variety and quality, equalization of opportunity and the bringing of rural and urban living standards closer together. It mentions the use of plastics as a building material and the use of prefabricated and Mobile Wiles to help lower the price of accommodation. The reduction of the incidence of illness and the cost of health services it one of the goals in the report. Another is the Minimizing of hazards to life and property f tom traffic, recreational, industrial, occupetioeal and other accidents and reducing the number of crimes and flees. The level of edtteational attainment and the quality of education need to be improved, the report said. It is concerned With increasing' e the number of student's Who attain a tecChtlary school education and the need for personalized educations The report Suggests that in Perth County high priority should be given to education; None of • the goes discussed were giVeh Mot priority for the region', Proposals outlined in the provincial government's "Design for Development" prograili are such that no single level of government can produce and maintain them all, the Hon, Charle's MacNaughton, Provincial Treasurer and Minister of Economics; said in releasing the report last week. In presenting the government's analysis of social and economic needs of the Midwestern Ontario Region, the minister said the development proposals will provide guidelines for all governments — federal, provincial and municipal — and for all, individuals whose decigions will affeCt the future of the region. "They are designed to'serve as a broad framework within which municipalities, private enterprise and provincial agencies might proceed with their own plans and programs on the basis of a formally recognized plan of development." They will not be established however, the minister said, until there is plenty of opporttinity for the people in each region to respond to the proposals contained in the reports — to consider development concepts in terms of their own local interests and to make known how they would be affected and what are the best ways of carrying out these proposals. The minister said he would like residents of the region to bear in mind that the report is essentially a working paper — "a documentation, an analysis, of the problems and potential of the Midwestern Ontario Region. "We 'are referring it to you, the people of the region, for your review, your comments and your constructive suggestions," Once the proposals are formally adopted, Mr. MacNaughton said, the Regional Development Programs will become the basic framework of planning for all provincial departments and agencies in their planning and decision-making. "It also will set a pattern for, local development in broad terms. It will be an umbrella of provincial policy under which we can proceed to plan our development at regional and local levels." The minister said the province intends to use the concepts as a set of reference points in considering official plans, proposals for sub-dividing land, and any other applications submitted for approval. Departments and agencies of the provincial government will be requested to adjust their plans and programs to 'the developmental polecies established for each region. "This will affect such activities as the allocation of the provincial funds for social service; the provision of highways and other transportation facilities; the location, capacity and timing of major water and sewerage facilities; the acquisition and development of land for housing and related purposes; the provision of open space and service corridors; and the location' of provincial buildings and institutions. "Obviously growth incentives offered by the province must reflect these • policies," the minister said. So far as the program's relationship with local government is concerned, Mr. MacNaughton said municipalities will be asked to integrate their policies with the regional development plans. "We hope that municipalities will adjust their zoning by-laws and official plans, where necessary, to complement the5 regional program for development." Mr. MacNaughton said these umbrella plans will be of considerable benefit to any regional governments that may be established in Midwestern Ontario by the Minister of Municipal Affairs in conjunction with local officials who want to strengthen local government. "As you know, each new regional government must prepare an official plan within a specified time period. Our program for development will provide these new bodies with a broader framework within which they can establish their own patterns of growth. "In this way, all municipal plans will reflect the basic provincial policy decisions on development. Distribution of the growth in the four-county Midwestern Region of Ontario is unbalanced, a government analysis of the region released in Listowel July 27 states. The report, entitled "Design for Development: The Midwestern Ontario Region — Phase 1, Analysis", was released by Charles MacNaughton, provincial treasurer at the Twin Gables Motor Hotel at a meeting attended by more than 500 people. The report, a result of a four-year study which will form the basis of the government's development policies in, the future, says the region, comprising Waterloo, Wellington, Huron and Perth Counties, has a diversified economic base with manufacturing growing faster than the provincial average and an agricultural sector whose return per farm operator is far superior to. the provincial average. The problems, the report says, 'are associated with the rapid growth and urbanization in the east and the loss of population and static economies of the west.. The greatest proportions of population and overall development growth have been concentrated in a corridor focusing on the urban centres of Kitchener, Waterloo; Guelph, Galt-Preston-Hespeler. Stratford is also included in this growth. Almost 61 per cent of the region's population lies within 14 per cent of the total land area along the 401-highway 7 corridor. Between 1951 and 1956, over 90 per cent of the region's growth took place in this area. However, 86 per cent of the land area with 39 per cent of the total population had only 10 per cent of the population growth during that period. The area outside of the "Golden Triangle" suffers from heavy out-migration, lacks variety in employment opportunities and has below average social and cultural facilities. It is being left behind in regional and provincial development. The report goes on to say that skilled labor in Huron and Perth Counties is in short supply where there is recently established industry. Labor turnover, particularly in Huron County, is higher than the region as a whole. There are three major economic problems, the report says, one being the wage rates are lower than in the province generally. Employment opportunities are inadequate in the more rural regions. People are moving out of regions where there is a reduction in the labor force and an absence of diversified economic structure, The report says there is a continuing need for a decrease in the farms grossing less than $10,000 in the value of agricultural products sold. The region is experiencing urbanization problems within its developing southeastern urban corridor, and along its Lake Huron recreational shoreline. In Stratford, for example, there is a need to optimize the use of land between agricultural and urban demands. Many communities are being confronted with problems of water supply and sewage disposal with the increased rate of urban development. Urban areas do not offer We need . . . Feed Oats & Barley Wheat Mixed Grain For Top $ Dollars $ For Your Crop MARKET THE COOP WAY! For Service and Convenience JALL US NOW ! HENSALL DISTRICT CO-OPERATIVE 62.2928.E.sALL News-RePQrele Thursday, August .6“1970, Rural population drops, trend is toward .urban • living (From. Stratford Beacon :Herald) concentrated ranges of choices and opportunities to all people in the region. The high cost of services may well make it impracticable to stimulate the growth of every urban centre in the Value. "A case can be made for concentrating the provision of .services in a selected few urban centres where the necessary population size and assorted employment opportunities and choices can serve the needs of the northern and western parts of the region." Briefly, the report states, the region has a well diversified economic base, a manufacturipg sector giowing faster than in the province generally, an agricultural sector whose return per farm operator is far superior to the provincial average and Vast still underdeveloped potential. Most of the problems relate to land use and space adjustment, economic development and environmental control. These are associated with the rapid growth and urbanization in the east and the loss of population and static economies in the west and the unguided proliferation of private recreation development along Lake Huron. BEWARE OF GLARE Boatmen and anglers should beware of the glare of the sun's reflection on water. It can transmit enough ultra-violet light to harm the eye, causing vision to fade so gradually that the victim might not realize what was happening until too late. Sunglasses will reduce the glare, warns CNIB, but' will not eliminate the damaging effects.