That the correspondence by the Association of Municipalities Ontario calling on the province to commit to a review of social and economic prosperity be received or received and supported and, if supported;
That Council adopt the following resolution:
Whereas current provincial-municipal fiscal arrangements are undermining 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 and social challenges – like homelessness, supporting asylum seekers and addressing the mental health and addictions crises;
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; 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.