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Watson & Associates Economists Ltd. 7.
ensuring that implementation issues have been considered, in order to minimize the likelihood of
appeals, complaints, reserve fund draw disputes and other problems associated with the By-law
and/or Background Study.
5. WATSON & ASSOCIATES ECONOMISTS LTD.
Watson & Associates Economists Ltd. (Watson & Associates), a leading economics consulting firm, has
extensive experience in the preparation of municipal development charge and related studies. The firm
was first incorporated in 1982 and now includes a full-time staff of twenty-two persons.
Our firm has undertaken over one-half of the consulting work done in Ontario in the DC field during the
past decade. Appendix A provides a summary of our experience in the field of development charges. In
addition to conducting policy studies and co-ordinating by-law preparation and adoption processes, we
have carried out numerous special issue studies, provided continuing advice to municipalities on
development charges in specific situations and have presented papers on the DCA at numerous
municipal conferences. We have also participated in numerous OMB hearings and related processes. A
summary of our services and areas of specialization is presented in Appendix A.
The firm has made a long term commitment to the interpretation of development charge legislation,
development of implementation methodologies, and ongoing surveying to maintain data banks of
information useful in DC matters. The knowledge gained from this investment, along with the wideranging
experience of completing DC work in more than 100 municipalities, would provide the
Municipality with a firm basis for the preparation of their new DC by-law(s), and the development of DC
policies and practices.
Due to the large number of development charge studies completed by our firm, Watson & Associates
Economists Ltd. has the significant advantage of being able to assemble a solid information base, which,
when coupled with our sound working relationships with municipal staff and others, enables us to
facilitate the development of consensus around controversial issues. Public participation, particularly
from the key stakeholders, is very important. Our approach is designed to ensure that material is
presented in an understandable format, in order to encourage public input in the development of
recommendations and future directions as part of a study process.
Gary Scandlan, PLE, Associate Director, would represent the firm and be responsible for all facets of
the study process and will present the findings of the study at all staff, Council and the Public Meetings.
Mr. Scandlan has been with the firm of Watson & Associates Economists Ltd. for 23 years before which
he worked for two Regional municipalities. In regard to the latter, he held senior managerial positions and
was directly responsible for long range financial planning, long term rate and tax impact planning as well
as all facets of capital financing. He is presently a member of the firm’s senior management group,
which develops interpretations of legislative requirements, as well as methodologies and formats and
determines alternative policy strategies for all facets of the corporate assignments. Mr. Scandlan has
undertaken in excess of 100 DC studies since 1989, including studies for York and Halton Regions and
District of Muskoka, former Toronto municipalities of York and Etobicoke, separated cities of Hamilton,
London, Guelph, St. Thomas and Orillia and various Counties and local municipalities. Mr. Scandlan has
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