Photo by B. Shakyaver
The Rural Ontario Municipal Association’s zone 2 director Steve McCabe came to address Bluewater Council at their meeting on Monday (May 6) outlining his priorities for the coming year.
He highlighted critical issues facing municipalities across Ontario and urged action from the provincial government in several areas.
One of the key focal points of McCabe’s presentation was the urgent need to review the fiscal framework governing provincial-municipal partnerships. He highlighted the staggering annual investment by municipalities across Ontario and stressed that the current framework, last adjusted in 2008, is woefully outdated.
McCabe also called upon the Ford administration to modernize the partnership, addressing essential areas that municipalities currently administer.
He pointed out that provincial spending per capita remains low, while property taxes continue to climb, burdening taxpayers beyond their means to support these municipal services.
McCabe’s presentation definitely saw some heads nodding around the council table, and Mayor Paul Klopp echoed McCabe’s statement that the current funding structure for lower tier government was failing.
Councillors remarked that they were impressed by McCabe’s desire to forge personal connections with his constituents, as his presentation marked the first time in many years (if ever) that any ROMA delegate came to address council directly.
Written by: B. Shakyaver