Let’s rebuild the provincial/municipal partnership

Locally, our counties of Norfolk and Haldimand have been facing financial challenges that make it difficult to meet obligations, and social/political challenges that demand even more of limited resources.

The current status quo in Ontario on municipal issues is not good enough. We lag behind – we are no longer number one when it comes to jobs, wealth, public services, health care, and the list goes on.

An objective assessment of the relationship between Ontario and its municipalities must be conducted as we must do better than the kind of ad hoc approach we have seen these past few years. It is an approach that seems to lurch from issue to issue, crisis to crisis, announcement to photo op – without an overall, well-thought-out plan.

What is needed is a comprehensive, long-term municipal strategy – one for cities, towns as well as northern and rural areas. What we don’t need is a political strategy that centres on re-electing a particular party.

Growth plans without infrastructure, clean water rules without financial assistance, new residential development without nearby jobs, or moratoriums on development are unacceptable.

We have seen far too many cookie cutter policies that fail to take into account the special needs of Ontario’s smaller cities and towns, or our rural communities. Smaller towns as well as rural and northern regions seem to be sometimes viewed as a nuisance by larger centres – you and I know that we are not a nuisance, but rather an opportunity. While it is important for Ontario to have a strong Toronto, it is equally true that Toronto depends on the rest of the province being strong.

After years of pointing fingers at others, the present provincial government announced an 18-month review of municipal funding – but that was 22 months ago. People in Ontario are still waiting. This government must set a firm deadline and table their plan – several promised deadlines have come and gone. The report itself should have been the subject of a real, solid dialogue at last week’s Ottawa meeting of the Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO).

Last week, I attended John Tory’s AMO speech in Ottawa where he made it clear that: “You simply cannot run a business, a charity or a government properly or effectively if you can’t plan … if your partner doesn’t meet deadlines or acts unilaterally … or if you have to go and beg for money each year, never really knowing what the answer will be. It’s time to put good government ahead of clever politics….Funding for cities and towns must not be some game of chance.”

Arrangements that provide for certainty, reliability and consistency between the Province and the municipalities are vital. For example: have gas and fuel taxes completely dedicated to roads and transit and make the dollars available to all Ontario municipalities.

Norfolk should be thriving, not just surviving. Haldimand should have hope for the future. Our counties can only benefit from enhanced provincial respect, cooperation, consultation and partnership.

My colleagues and I want to stop the growing list of items the McGuinty government seems to be ignoring – whether it’s the economy, municipal funding, propane explosions, farmers, or respect for the rule of law.

The partnership between the municipality, the province, and Ottawa must be rebuilt in order for all of us to succeed.