EASTERN ONTARIO NEEDS ARE FRONT AND CENTRE

The relationship between Eastern Ontario and the provincial government has been the topic of some discussion at Queen’s Park in recent weeks.

The McGuinty government has redesigned a funding program for Municipalities, and this is going to have a significant impact on municipal governments over the next few years as many will struggle to do more with less.

Like many announcements made by this government, it looks good on the surface, but it is only when the numbers are looked at in detail that the truth becomes apparent. The government announcements have all focused on what municipalities will receive this year, but they are silent regarding the long-term impact of their Municipal Partnership Fund.

It is true that some municipalities throughout the riding will be receiving more money, but the upper tier governments will be receiving significantly less money but they will retain responsibility for the delivery of services. Because of this, they may have to claw back some of the money that the smaller municipalities will have received.

Through this smoke and mirrors exercise, the McGuinty government is sending municipal governments $47 million fewer dollars to deliver their services. That is going to result in higher property taxes. The McGuinty Liberals are not transferring more money to help municipalities cope with higher staffing, infrastructure and energy costs – despite what their press releases say.

The Eastern Ontario Wardens' Caucus represents 13 counties from the Region of Durham boundary in the west to the Quebec border. On April 25 th they put out a press release in response to the government announcement of the Municipal Partnership Fund. In it they said: “the new formula sidesteps Eastern Ontario’s crucial need for help with its share of downloaded provincial roads and bridges…The formula caps funding for social housing at 2002 levels.”

On April 28th the Legislature debated a Private Members Bill that had been put forward by my colleague, Norm Sterling. His bill called for the creation of an Eastern Ontario Economic Development Fund that would promote economic development in rural areas and smaller urban municipalities in Eastern Ontario.

Eastern Ontario lags behind the rest of Ontario in terms of population growth and income. Northern Ontario also lags behind the rest of Ontario but their unique needs have been recognized for years through the Northern Ontario Heritage Act. The bill would apply to smaller urban municipalities including the City of Kawartha Lakes, and Peterborough and Haliburton Counties.

This bill has received broad support from municipalities throughout Eastern Ontario. I support this bill, and am hopeful that it will be called for third reading and passed into law. It is just the type of support that our area needs in order to attract growth.

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