CMGRA Annual General Meeting – Member Update
Thank you to everyone who joined us at this year’s Annual General Meeting, which was engaging, productive, and well-supported. Your participation and support are vital to the ongoing success of our association.
Special Thanks
We also extend a special thank you to Ward 3 Councilors Janet Haslett-Theall and Dave Gittings for their active participation in our AGM, their ongoing support of CMGRA throughout the year, and for their hard work and dedication on Town Council.
Key Highlights
- Informative presentations on Midtown and the Town’s 3026 budget, both of which will shape our community in the years ahead.
- Engaged discussion and support for CMGRA’s 2026 budget recommendations.
- Attendance from Mayor Burton and senior Town staff show that our voice is being heard.
Midtown Development
The Midtown presentation [click here for the powerpoint] emphasizes that we are at a critical crossroads. This fall, Infrastructure Ontario is expected to release a new high-rise, high-density proposal, one that will likely exceed what we consider livable.
Our benchmark for evaluating any Transit-Oriented Community (TOC) proposal must be the Town’s new Official Plan Amendment (OPA), which meets all provincial growth requirements. However, convincing the government to support a mid-rise alternative that aligns with the OPA will be a major challenge.
We must all prepare for this final TOC push:
- Stay informed insert links to the WLO website, the Ward 3 councilor’s website]
- Spread the word
- Most importantly, be ready to act
The Town’s 2026 Budget
The session on the 2026 Budget was held in two parts. First, the Chair of the 2026 Budget Committee, Councilor Tom Adams, and Deputy Chair, Councilor Jonathan McNeice, presented the process for developing the 2026 Budget. This was followed by a presentation [click here for the powerpoint] outlining the concerns and three draft recommendations the CMGRA Board of Directors is considering submitting to the Committee.
These draft recommendations focus on:
- Assessing the effectiveness of the budgetary process in controlling expenses and improving the transparency of financial reporting against the budget.
- Establishing measurable objectives and targets for achieving efficiencies and cost savings.
- Reducing the targeted tax increase to 0% for all aspects of the 2026 Budget under Oakville’s direct control.
Members supported these recommendations by a show of hands. The Board will now refine them in light of the meeting discussion and submit the final version to the Budget Committee.
Councillor Q&A
After the meeting adjourned, our Ward 3 Councilors stayed behind to answer questions from residents on several important topics:
- Automated Speed Enforcement
- The unauthorized demolition of the 1830s heritage property at 1475 Lakeshore
- The rebuilding of Town Square
Further discussion is required regarding a group care home operating on Burgundy Road, which has raised concerns among residents.
Next Steps
- We will work with We Love Oakville to launch a major engagement initiative this fall on the revised TOC proposal.
- CMGRA will send a letter with our recommendations to the Town’s Budget Committee ahead of their September 24 meeting.
- Strengthening communication with members will remain a top priority.
Overall, the AGM reinforced the strength of our community voice. Thank you for your continued support and engagement; together, we can shape a better future for our Town.