Civil Municipal Magazine - Dec 2023

28 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 4, ISSUE 12 together, long-standing structural problems have combined with growth pressures, economic factors, social challenges and provincial policy decisions to push municipalities to the brink. Municipal governments are a key partner in a resilient economy. And while the overall state of municipal financial health is stable, being left solely responsible for many of the services and infrastructure that make Ontario a destination for investment and people is an ongoing concern. Imagine a world where all levels of government came together to fund and build the infrastructure needed to attract businesses and accommodate growth. As the Ontario government recognizes itself, infrastructure investments are vital to strengthening the economy, creating jobs and building strong communities in which residents enjoy a high quality of life. But municipalities need more financial tools to realize these complex challenges. We cannot build and maintain the infrastructure that we need for a thriving Ontario economy financed by property tax alone. More tools needed to address today’s challenges Ontario already has the second highest property taxes amongst all provinces and territories at $2,200 per capita. However, the provincial government’s per capita spending is the lowest in Canada. Ontario would need to spend about $2,000 more per person, per year, to approach the national average. We can and must work better together to respect our single and shared taxpayer. AMO believes that the time is right for a province-wide conversation where municipalities and the province come together to promote the stability of municipal finances province- wide. Municipalities have and will continue to innovate but they need more tools to help address increasingly complex policy challenges, like housing and homelessness, that stand in the way of Ontario being an attractive place to live, work, and play. Ontario is our home and the mutual benefit of vibrant, thriving communities is felt at every level of government.