Municipal officials across Ontario are asking for a more equitable share of the provincial pie.
The Western Ontario Wardens Caucus (WOWC) is echoing calls from the Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO) for the Ford government to review the provincial-municipal fiscal framework as part of the upcoming provincial budget.
In a news release, the Wardens Caucus says municipalities provide critical services and infrastructure that are key to Ontario’s economic prosperity, but the fiscal framework they rely on to deliver those services is broken.
“This review is critical to address the outdated financial arrangements burdening municipalities, ensure fairness for taxpayers, and enable crucial investments in infrastructure and social services, not just in Western Ontario but province-wide,” said Glen McNeil, WOWC Chair. “It’s time for meaningful change, one that supports the well-being and prosperity of our municipalities and all Ontarians, requiring collaborative efforts between local governments and the province for its achievement.”
Officials say municipal governments subsidize the provincial treasury by almost $4 billion each year by paying for provincial responsibilities including social housing, long-term care, public health, childcare, and social services. The group says Ontario’s property taxes are already the second highest in the country, while provincial spending per capita is the lowest in Canada.
The group is calling on Premier Doug Ford to work with municipal governments to modernize the partnership and build a solid foundation for economic and social prosperity that is fair and affordable for taxpayers.
The Western Ontario Wardens’ Caucus is a not-for-profit organization representing 15 upper and single-tier municipalities in Southwestern Ontario, including Chatham-Kent.