The Chamber of Commerce Brantford-Brant hosted the 18th annual Mayors’ Luncheon at the Towneplace Marriott and Suites Conference Centre on Friday, September 22, 2023.
Members of the Chamber of Commerce had an exclusive opportunity to network with Kevin Davis, Mayor for the City of Brantford Kevin Davis, and David Bailey, Mayor for the County of Brant, as well as, members of the municipal councils and senior staff teams before and after the event.
The event featured a series of questions from moderator Paul Bisanti, President of the Chamber, and featured an introduction from presenting sponsor Enbridge, who reviewed their innovative efforts to reinforce Ontario’s energy needs, respond to climate change, and their partnerships with the municipalities to meet their growth needs.
Enbridge has a been a member of the Chamber of Commerce Brantford-Brant since 1911, and is a former winner of the Chamber’s Company of the Year.
Bisanti congratulated both Mayors on the resurrection of the Joint City-County Shared Services Committee, and began with inquiring about their priorities.
“Developing a transit link between Paris, St. George and Brantford, and items like speed enforcement and red light cameras, areas where there are cost efficiencies and no service currently is a good place to start,” said Davis.
“We work together well on the John Noble Home, and addressing challenges like homelessness and addictions, where there is a direct benefit to the tax payer, will be important,” added Bailey.
Both mayors identified the housing crisis and the need to intensify and address NIMBYism in response to provincial priorities and directives, and having some tools removed from the municipal “toolbox.”
Expanding Brantford’s transit system to meet demand, and connecting the Transportation Master Plans of both municipalities, were also noted by both Mayors in response to questions from Bisanti.
