The Eastern Ontario Wardens’ Caucus (EOWC), and the Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO) is asking the province to commit to reviewing how provinces and towns share expenses as part of their upcoming budget.
They say the current fiscal framework is broken and that it fails residents and small businesses.
They also point out that, unlike the province, municipal revenues do not grow with the economy or inflation. The pressures of growth, of inflation and of interest rates, as well as social challenges, are taking a heavy toll on municipalities.
In a statement released this week, the organizations called on Premier Ford to work together with municipal governments, asking the province to “develop a framework that truly reflects the services that municipalities provide” adding that: “All levels of government need to work together to build and support our communities.”
According to EOWC Chair, Peter Emon, the municipal-provincial framework was last adjusted in 2008, and a review is long overdue.