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From the beginning this council set out
to be bold and forward-thinking. Focus

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on championing local economic growth,
creating jobs, building a community

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where people can live, work, and thrive.
In just a few years Ajax has experienced

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one of its most significant periods of
growth in its 70-year history. If we

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take a step back, construction value
since Mayor Collier's time as head head

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of council in 2018 has reached an
incredible $2.5 billion.

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million expansion, adding new production
lines and strengthening Ajax's advanced

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manufacturing base with plans to grow
more than 80 full-time jobs. Allow me to

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recognize Vivian Shana who are a guest
at this event. Thank you so much.

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Bird Construction opened a new Ajax
facility supporting the Pickering

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Pickering nuclear refurbishment,
contributing to over $150 million in

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contracts, and reflecting our commitment
to partnerships that include indigenous

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owned businesses like Makosi
Incorporated. This is what a strong

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local economy looks like, one that opens
doors for everyone. Looking ahead,

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Ontario Power Generation's new re-tube
feeder and boiler replacement training

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facility coming in 2027 will bring a
200,000 square foot training hub to

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Ajax, supporting more than 2,800 skilled
trade workers, and cementing Ajax's role

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in energy innovation. To strengthen our
business ecosystem, the town introduced

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the 2025-2027
business engagement and support

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strategy. A three-year roadmap designed
to strengthen relationships, build

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economic capacity, and position Ajax for
the long-term sustainable growth.

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This strategy reflects our commitment to
being proactive, responsive, and

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data-driven in how we support local
businesses.

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I focus on three key priorities.
Deepening direct business engagement and

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relationship management, strengthening
key sectors including manufacturer,

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manufacturing, tourism, retail, and food
services, and positioning Ajax as a

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competitive destination for investment,
innovation, and entrepreneurship. Over

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300 business visits,
38 grand openings, 11 business

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anniversaries,
10 engagement events, and the quarterly

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Ajax Business Network events.
We've seen over 277

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Sorry, excuse me. 277 hundred digital
impressions promoting Ajax businesses.

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Building on this work, we're proud to
launch the Powered by Ajax, the town's

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official business registration designed
to increase your visibility, connect you

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to opportunities, and support long-term
economic growth.

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This project is This project is
launching very soon, and for a one-time

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$25 registration fee. Like many
communities across Ontario, Ajax is

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facing the facing the impacts of
homelessness, mental health, and

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addiction. The financial implications
are substantial.

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We've invested over $500,000 in
encampment response and enhanced

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security.
The Main Branch Library has witnessed a

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staggering 1,000%
rise in incidents since 2019, and it's

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prompted us to double our library
security in costs totaling over

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$200,000.
We're doing what we can

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while taking a compassionate approach.
That includes

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a permanent emergency shelter at 27
Station Street,

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a winter warming center at Town Hall,
and targeted business safety supports.

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From the daunting task of taking care of
our unhoused, the town also continues to

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fight for key principles that define
Ajax.

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Equity, diversity, inclusion.
Let me be direct. Across North America,

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we are witnessing a troubling retreat
from the values of DEI.

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Commitments are defunded, programs have
been dismantled, and the voices of those

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who are finally beginning to be heard
are being silenced again.

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This has contributed to greater division
in our communities across the country.

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And Ajax will not be one of them.
In Ajax, diversity is not just our

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strength. It is a fundamental tenant of
who we are.

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We will continue moving forward, guided
by our values and committed to building

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an Ajax where everyone belongs. For
example, since 2023, the town has

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collected 7.24 million under the
infrastructure levy and 9.1 million

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under the stormwater management fee,
ensuring that when repairs and upgrades

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are needed, we are prepared. Our major
projects include the Rossland Road

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widening,
advocacy for the Highway 12 interchange,

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EV infrastructure including the 44-stall
Tesla Supercharger,

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and planning around the Ajax GO
Secondary Plan.

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I'd like to highlight that on June 6th,
Mayor Collier will be hosting the eighth

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and final Ajax Mayor's Gala at the newly
opened Durham Convention Centre.

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In just 3 years, the gala has raised
over 1.7 million with a goal of

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surpassing 2 million this year, all in
support of vulnerable residents

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and the Ajax-Pickering Hospital
Foundation. Thank you to our community

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partners, businesses, and residents who
make this progress possible.

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It's been an absolute honor speaking to
you today. Thank you.