Huron County Joins Association of Municipalities of Ontario in Asking Province to Review the Provincial-Municipal Framework as Part of Upcoming Provincial Budget

by Bob Montgomery

The County of Huron has joined the Association of Municipalities of Ontario in calling on the province to commit to reviewing the provincial-municipal fiscal framework as part of the upcoming provincial budget.

Huron County Warden Glen McNeil says Huron County supports AMO's communication with the provincial government and Premier Ford that all levels of government work together in a coordinated effort. “We all have a shared responsibility to meet the needs of all residents of Ontario and those living within Huron County, and we are looking forward to modernizing the partnership with our provincial government.” McNeil adds, it's time the partnership was reviewed because it was last adjusted in 2008.

The municipalities want to be at the table with the provincial government to address social housing, long term care, public health, child care and social services. Municipalities provide infrastructure and critical services that are central to Ontario’s economic prosperity and quality of life, investing almost $65 billion annually in Ontario communities. The fiscal framework that municipalities rely on to deliver infrastructure and services is broken – failing residents, small businesses, and major industries. Unlike the province, municipal revenues do not grow with the economy or inflation. New realities, including the pressures of growth, economic factors like inflation and interest rates, social challenges, and provincial policy decisions are pushing municipalities to the brink.

McNeil says Huron County looks forward to collaborating with AMO and the provincial government on the building of 1.5 million homes in Ontario in the next seven years. However, Bill 23 created a one billion dollar annual hole in municipalities’ ability to fund this foundational new infrastructure that will help the province grow. The County of Huron and AMO believe the time is right for a province-wide conversation where municipalities and the province come together to promote the stability and sustainability of municipal finances across Ontario.