WHEREAS current provincial-municipal fiscal arrangements are undermining Ontario’s
economic prosperity and quality of life; and
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; and
WHEREAS municipal revenues, such as property taxes, do not grow with the economy or
inflation; and
WHEREAS unprecedented population and housing growth will require significant
investments in municipal infrastructure; and
WHEREAS municipalities are being asked to take on complex health and social challenges –
like homelessness, supporting asylum seekers and addressing the mental health and
addictions crises; and
WHEREAS inflation, rising interest rates, and provincial policy decisions are sharply
constraining municipal fiscal capacity; and
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; and
WHEREAS the province can, and should, invest more in the prosperity of communities; and
WHEREAS municipalities and the provincial government have a strong history of
collaboration; and
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT 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