The leader of the provincial NDP is vowing to continue fighting for municipal needs in the Ontario legislature.
Marit Stiles offered her support while speaking to delegates attending the Association of Municipalities of Ontario conference in Ottawa.
Stiles supports the need for a better relationship between the government and the municipalities.
She says that the partnership should include permanent, predictable infrastructure funding.
“Municipalities are on the front lines here. They’re keeping our roads safe, our water clean, and our communities healthy,” says Stiles.
“But for years, Queen’s Park has been pushing more costs onto them without the funding to match. It’s time for a real partnership where the province pays its fair share, listens to local leaders, and stops forcing communities to do more with less.”
Stiles supports a review of Ontario’s fiscal framework to ensure municipalities have the necessary tools, resources, and respect.
She also advocates for provincial support of affordable housing, the restoration of a 50/50 cost-sharing agreement for transit services, and a reversal of the downloading of highway costs for municipal roads that serve as links to the provincial highway network.
