Officials in Perth County are urging provincial leaders to tackle the financial challenges facing rural Ontario.
During the annual Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO) Conference in Ottawa, Perth County representatives are calling for financial assistance and fairer administration.
The county is advocating for action against rising municipal expenses and decreasing funding sources.
Delegations from the county engaged directly with important provincial figures at the conference to discuss critical local matters, particularly focusing on cuts to the Ontario Municipal Partnership Fund. Local leaders expressed concerns that dwindling provincial aid, along with increasing operational costs, is unfairly shifting the tax burden onto property owners in their communities.
County officials also emphasized the need for immediate changes regarding Workplace Safety and Insurance Board claims, pushing for greater fairness and efficiency for Schedule 2 employers like local governments.
“The core focus of the conference centers on local democracy, economic uncertainty, sustainable infrastructure, and municipal finances ahead of local elections,” noted a statement from the county.
The county highlighted that stable, long-term funding is essential for housing infrastructure, fully funded health and social services, and a combined provincial-federal effort to address ongoing homelessness issues in the region.
These targeted meetings allowed Perth County staff and council members to share rural priorities with over three thousand municipal delegates gathered from across 444 communities in Ontario.
The AMO conference concludes on Wednesday.
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