WHEREAS the current provincial-municipal fiscal arrangements is weakening Ontario’s economic prosperity and quality of life;
WHEREAS nearly a third of municipal spending in Ontario is for services in areas of provincial responsibility and expenditures are outpacing provincial contributions by nearly $4 billion a year;
WHEREAS municipal revenues, such as property taxes, do not grow with the economy or inflation;
WHEREAS unprecedented population and housing growth will require significant investments in municipal infrastructure;
WHEREAS municipalities are being asked to take on complex health, social and infrastructure challenges;
WHEREAS inflation, rising interest rates, and provincial policy decisions are sharply constraining municipal fiscal capacity;
WHEREAS property taxpayers – including people on fixed incomes and small businesses – can’t afford to subsidize income re-distribution programs for those most in need;
WHEREAS the province can, and should, invest more in the prosperity of communities;
WHEREAS municipalities and the provincial government have a strong history of collaboration;
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Municipality of Middlesex Centre calls upon the Province of Ontario commit to undertaking with the Association of Municipalities of Ontario a comprehensive social and economic prosperity review to promote the stability and sustainability of municipal finances across Ontario;
AND FURTHER THAT a copy of this motion be sent to the Premier of Ontario (premier@ontario.ca); Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing (minister.mah@ontario.ca); the Minister of Finance (minister.fin@ontario.ca); and to the Association of Municipalities of Ontario (amo@amo.on.ca).