4 issues municipal candidates really can't do anything about

Asmunicipal campaigns heat up ahead of the election on Oct. 22, candidates are putting out platforms and making statements on issues important to voters.

But there are some issues where the candidates can't directly do much right now, despite them being a concern of the electorate.

1. Supervised consumption sites

Supervised consumption sites in Waterloo region have been a top issue, particularly in Cambridge and Kitchener where public health has suggested sites should be set up.

Cambridge council repeatedly rejected the region's suggestions for where sites should be opened.

In August, regional council voted to stop work to open sites. That's because Ontario Health Minister Christine Elliott is currently reviewing supervised consumption sites and overdose prevention sites to see if they "have merit."

In August, a spokesperson for Elliott said there was no exact timeline for the review, but recommendations should "happen in short order."

Read more:

• Region of Waterloo officially halts supervised consumption site process for now
• Ontario to review safe injection, overdose prevention sites, health minister says
• Ontario puts new overdose prevention sites approvals on hold

2. Amalgamation

The topic of Waterloo region's cities and townships amalgamating or cities potentially leaving the region has been debated.

But without direction from the province on the restructuring of municipal governance and boundaries,for now comments and ideas can only be forwarded to the provincial government as suggestions for future consideration. Municipal politicians have no power to make changes.

Cambridge Coun. Nicholas Ermeta had suggested he'd like to dissolve the regional municipality and create a local services board instead. If amalgamation is forced upon the region by the province, Ermeta said he'd want to see Cambridge leave the region.

Neither are options, outgoing Regional Chair Ken Seiling says.

The province has said it will reviewregional and municipal councils starting this fall. Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing Steve Clark made that announcement in July when the government announced plans to reduce the size of Toronto city council and reversed plans to elect regional chairs in York, Peel, Niagara and Muskoka for the Oct. 22 province-wide municipal elections.

Read more:

• 'Daffy:' Hamilton mayor on Cambridge councillor's idea to annex Flamborough
• Councillor wants Flamborough to leave Hamilton, join Cambridge
• Ditch regional government in favour of services board, Cambridge councillor says

3. Pot sales

The municipalities and the region are still not sure which level of government would be able to opt out of pot sales.

The provincial government has said it would offer a one-time chance for municipalities to prevent cannabis sales in their area, but has not said when that will happen or which level of government can opt out. A ministry spokesperson said plans for the opt-out are still in the works.

Recreational marijuana sale and use will become legal on Oct. 17, under new federal legislation.

The provincial agency will have the monopoly on marijuana sales inOntario through online distribution. The province has said it will set up a private retail model byApril 1, 2019.

Shayne Turner, the director of municipal enforcement services for Waterloo, said there hasn't been clarity from the province but, "Waterloo has been reviewing this issue based on an assumption that the decision to opt out would be left with the lower-tier municipality (city).Obviously, this may change once more information is received from the Province, but this is our assumption at this point."

Even if municipalities opt out of allowing sales, residents would still be able to have it delivered if they purchase marijuana online through the provincially run Ontario Cannabis Store.

Read more:

• Waterloo region's pot business wants Ontario to allow private retailers to sell
• Pot panel: What's the impact of legal marijuana in Waterloo region?
• Ontario to allow private retailers to sell cannabis, province will handle online sales
• Marijuana stocks up after Ontario announces cannabis supply agreements

4. Two-way, all-day GO (and GO into Cambridge)

Two-way, all-day GO trains from Kitchener, and GO train service into Cambridge, are big issues for communities where many people take trips into Toronto.

But other than advocate on behalf of residents, there's not much local politicians can do to speed along the process because GO is a provincial service.

As well, politicians have argued there's too much work to be done to built 40 km of track on the Kitchener line between the Mount Pleasant Station in Brampton and Union Station in downtown Toronto.

The previous Liberal government had pledged to have all-day, two-way go in the region by 2024 and announced a deal had been struck with the current owners of the single-track route to create a dedicated passenger line.

During the election campaign, Premier Doug Ford said his government would "cut all the red tape" and get it done as quickly as possible, but did not provide a timeline.

The previous Liberal government also started a feasibility study to explore using CN tracks to bring GO train service into Cambridge through Guelph.

This week, CBCK-Wasked the government whether that feasibility study is still in the works. Astatement from Minister of Transportation John Yakabuski's office sent in response stated:

"Our government's plan for the people includes enhanced GO service. With Metrolinx, we are reviewing next steps for GO expansion. We are committed to improving transit across the province to reduce congestion and get people moving," the reply said.

Read more:

• Commit to 2-way, all-day GO, Kitchener council tells political leaders
• All-day 2-way GO feasible by 2024, but only if well-funded: transit expert
• Ford says PCs would fund all-day 2-way GO but Liberals question how
• GO adds 2 cars to 'peak' morning, afternoon K-W trains