Photo courtesy AMO Videos/YouTube
NDP leader Andrea Horwath is seeking protection for municipalities from the province meddling in their elections.
The Municipal Representation and Restructuring Protection Act was introduced at Queen’s Park as MPPs broke for the summer.
Horwath spoke of its need while addressing municipal reps at the Association of Municipalities of Ontario conference in Ottawa.
“The bill makes it clear to this premier — and future governments — that municipal leaders are part of responsible, accountable local government, and they and their citizens should get to decide how their municipalities are governed,” says Howarth.
Horwath told municipal reps in Ottawa the Premier should be working with them, not trying to override their wishes.
The NDP leader also promoted her desire to see transfer payments to municipalities raised to $550-million a year and adjusted with regular, ongoing increases.
She also giving municipalities a greater share of the provincial taxes collected as the gas pumps.
“We need to keep pushing for the increase to the municipal gas tax transfer your communities were counting on, invest more in our roads and bridges, and support the critical maintenance needed to keep them safe, all year long.
