A Result of 1990s Policies The steep property tax increases proposed this year not only by Toronto City Hall but by municipalities across Ontario are a result of 1990s policies that shifted provincial costs to local governments.

That was the message from a conference of the Rural Ontario Municipal Association (ROMA), which called for a rethinking of the relationship between the province and municipalities.

Using the “new deal” struck between the Ford government and the City of Toronto to shift the cost of maintaining two highways to the province, the association proposes doing the same for a host of infrastructure projects currently paid for by cities.

Robin Jones, chair of ROMA, pointed out that 525,000 people in rural Ontario currently lack access to family doctors.

“The situation is getting worse,” he said, “four times faster than in the cities. Old doctors are retiring and new ones are not interested in working in the hinterland. The same is happening with paramedics and nurses.”

Minister for Local Government and Housing Paul Calandra said the government had repeatedly reiterated its commitment to supporting outlying, particularly northern towns and cities, with additional Resources

Anastasia Chupina