New population projections could have a big impact locally, says Minto Mayor David Anderson.
Anderson referred to a recent meeting held by Wellington County’s planning committee, which is looking at growth in the county and intensification of building in rural municipalities over the next 25 to 30 years.
“They are expecting another four million people to come into Ontario,” Anderson said.
As a result, the committee is trying to plan for needed infrastructure to accommodate that growth, and determine where that growth will happen, he added.
The mayor noted Wellington County is right on the edge of the Golden Horseshoe, a huge population area. He said there are studies on how much the area is expected to grow, and projections even include potential growth of local municipalities.
He said locally the population in Minto could swell over the next 25 years to 16,000 people. The 2006 census showed Minto with a population of 8,504.
Anderson said there have been numerous discussions about how Minto will be able to afford that growth, not only with the deficit required for current infrastructure projects, but the additional funds to accommodate that growth.
“It was a very interesting evening.” Anderson said there seemed to be good representation from all of Wellington County.
“These are just numbers and stats and whether that will take place or not …” he said the planning committee will need to look further at the projections.
County councillor Mark MacKenzie, who was making another of his reports to council that night, noted the question of the night was how to accommodate the growth without additional money.
He noted that within 15 minutes of Minto there are at least six municipalities striving for more funding.
“We all been in it long enough to know it’s not whether you need it or not, it’s political.” While he suggested Minto is faring well enough, “I hope it keeps up, the tide can always turn.”
