Media Room
December 2020
Ontario’s Financial Accountability Officer identifies $2.4 billion gap in municipal budgets for 2021 Dec 11, 2020
Today, Ontario’s Financial Accountability Officer, Peter Weltman identified a $2.4 billion shortfall in funding needed to maintain current municipal service levels and tax rates. The report, titled An Overview of Municipal Budgets and an Estimate of the Financial Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic, offers a comprehensive analysis of how the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted municipal budgets.
November 2020
Jeff Lehman and Bonnie Crombie named Chair and Vice Chair of Ontario’s Big City Mayors for 2021-22 Nov 27, 2020
At its final meeting of the term this morning, Ontario’s Big City Mayors (OBCM) confirmed Mayor of Barrie Jeff Lehman as its Chair for the next two years. Mayor of Mississauga Bonnie Crombie was named Vice Chair. OBCM also approved a number of motions to advance key public policy positions and to strengthen the organization internally.
October 2020
Ontario’s Big City Mayors call for relief, recovery as they respond to second wave of COVID-19 Oct 15, 2020
Mayors of Ontario’s 29 largest cities met with provincial and federal ministers via videoconference today to press the need for investment in infrastructure and municipal operating funding for 2021, as communities continue to respond and recover from the impacts of COVID-19.
August 2020
Ontario Mayors and Regional Chairs discuss recovery with federal and provincial ministers Aug 12, 2020
�“ The path to economic and social recovery from COVID-19 was the focus of the annual joint meeting of Mayors and Regional Chairs of Ontario (MARCO) and Ontario’s Big City Mayors (OBCM), formerly known as the Large Urban Mayors’ Caucus of Ontario.
Large Urban Mayors’ Caucus launches a new name: Ontario’s Big City Mayors Aug 10, 2020
The Mayors of Ontario’s 29 biggest cities, formerly known as the Large Urban Mayors’ Caucus of Ontario (LUMCO), has changed its name to Ontario’s Big City Mayors (OBCM).
July 2020
Ontario’s big city mayors are encouraged by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s pledge of $19 billion for the provinces and territories to support a “safe restart” of the Canadian economy, which includes the provision of funds for municipalities to assist in mitigating the unprecedented financial impacts brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Ontario Mayors and Chairs issue emergency call for financial support Jul 6, 2020
Today, Mayors and Chairs from across Ontario, represented by the Association of Municipalities of Ontario, the Mayors and Regional Chairs of Ontario, and the Large Urban Mayors’ Caucus of Ontario, met to discuss the COVID-19 financial emergency. Ontario municipalities are speaking with one voice to deliver one important message: Our residents cannot wait any longer.
June 2020
The Large Urban Mayors Caucus of Ontario (LUMCO) met this morning for further discussion about the growing financial and service delivery challenges municipalities face as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Statement from LUMCO Chair Cam Guthrie and LUMCO mayors Jun 5, 2020
Today, Mayor Cam Guthrie, Chair of the Large Urban Mayor’s Caucus of Ontario (LUMCO) released the following statement on behalf of Ontario’s big city mayors:“Like many Ontarians, we have been watching the events unfold across North America in recent days and reflecting on how
May 2020
Ontario’s Big City Mayors urge provincial and federal governments to provide relief for municipalities May 14, 2020
Ontario’s big city mayors are calling on the federal and provincial governments to provide immediate financial support to municipalities as they face unprecedented economic challenges due to COVID-19.