That was the sentiment expressed by some councillors around the table during the Region’s health and social services committee meeting Tuesday, when Oakville Councillor Fred Oliver made a motion to put a moratorium on all local development until the hospitals can catch up and accommodate the growth.

Oliver ultimately withdrew the motion to make way for a less severe one from Regional Chair Gary Carr to write to the Province asking that it improve capacity at all Halton hospitals before the region significantly increases its population.

But before this happened, committee members first debated the issue at length.

Carr kicked things off by voicing his support for Oliver’s motion.

“This committee needs to have a strong message to the rest of our council that we’re taking a stand,” he said.

He said the Province also needs to know that Halton “can’t continue to grow until we have the hospitals in place.”

Halton Hills Councillor Clark Somerville also backed Oliver’s position.

“It does send the message that the status quo isn’t working,” he said.

And Milton Councillor Colin Best said he’s in favour of a moratorium as well, noting that “hospitals are a critical phase in community development.”

But not everyone was so supportive, like Burlington Councillor John Taylor. He said the motion would be contrary to the Region’s Official Plan, which plans out growth until the year 2021.

He said a multi-year development financing plan is currently being prepared by staff and will be voted on by council in November. The financing plan is required before future development can proceed.

“I don’t believe you should proceed ahead of having the financial facts,” he said. “This council has always acted on fact and not emotion, and I think we’re acting on emotion now.”

But Oliver took exception to Taylor’s statement. “I’ve never been known to be emotional. All my life I’ve dealt with the facts.”

Burlington Councillor Carol D’Amelio said she’s also concerned “we might be going ahead a little too fast” and asked what the implications of the moratorium would be for the Region.

Halton CAO Pat Moyle said it’s the local municipalities that issue building permits and legally developers have the right to a permit if they meet the zoning requirements. He said the Region doesn’t have the authority to prohibit issuing building permits.

Oliver asked him what the Region would say if he withdrew his motion and instead put it to Oakville council.

“I would encourage you to have the debate at the local level,” Moyle said. “I think many of the local planning controls rest with the local municipalities.”

Carr then suggested his own motion to write to the Province asking that it improve capacity at all Halton hospitals before the region significantly increases its population.

Oliver said he liked the chairman’s wording and then took his motion off the table.

Carr said he thinks his motion will get the discussion out into the public eye. “I think the public is on our side,” he said. “Let’s start with this and see where it goes.”

A couple committee members suggested getting a legal opinion on the issue before voting on Carr’s motion.

The committee then voted to defer the motion to its next meeting Tuesday, Oct. 21 so that staff can come back with a report and legal assessment.

Melanie Hennessey can be reached at mhennessey@miltoncanadianchampion.com .