TORONTO, ON — Ontario’s Big City Mayors (OBCM) gathered on Wednesday at Queen’s Park to talk about how the province and municipal leaders can work together to deliver solutions for residents of Ontario’s largest cities.
Throughout the day OBCM met with several ministers, opposition leaders, MPPs and their staff, attended Question Period and met with Premier Doug Ford and Minister Rob Flack to discuss recent housing legislation. Throughout the day the mayors discussed OBCM’s key priorities including housing and housing enabling infrastructure, the homelessness, mental health and addictions crisis as well as policing and public safety.
Many discussions focused on the development of the Canada-Ontario Partnership to Build as the provincial and federal governments are currently working together on the final details of the program. Mayors emphasized the need for a commitment from both provincial and federal governments to fully offset municipal revenue losses resulting from reduced development charges, and to ensure that any savings are passed on to homebuyers.
A consistent message that emerged during the day was the importance of collaboration between all levels of government so we can address together the unique challenges of communities across Ontario.
“We were delighted to bring our group of mayors to Queen’s Park to speak together with one voice on the issues currently facing Ontario’s biggest cities. We have always valued our relationship with the province, those in government and in opposition and we will continue to work with them to ensure municipal voices are heard, especially when it comes to legislation and programs that impact us and our residents. ”
– Marianne Meed Ward, OBCM Chair and Mayor of Burlington
About Ontario’s Big City Mayors
Ontario’s Big City Mayors (OBCM) is a non-partisan organization that includes mayors of 29 single and lower-tier cities with a population of 100,000 or more, who collectively represent 70% of Ontario’s population and almost 30% of Canada’s population. OBCM advocates for issues and policies important to Ontario’s largest cities.
Media Contacts
Mayor Marianne Meed Ward, Chair Michelle Baker, Executive Director
chair@obcm.ca michelle@obcm.ca
905-335-7777 647-308-6602