“Ontario’s Big City Mayors appreciate that the Fall Economic Statement responds to many of the motions and priorities we have advanced, particularly around housing, infrastructure, and local economic growth. However, we are disappointed by the lack of new investments to address homelessness, mental health, and addictions. These crises are escalating in our communities, and municipalities cannot face them alone. We look forward to continuing our collaboration with the provincial government to deliver results for our residents”
Mayor Meed Ward, Chair, OBCM
Housing affordability remains one of OBCM’s top priorities. Recently, we called for the removal of the HST for buyers of new homes valued up to $1.5 million. We are encouraged to see the province commit to working with the federal government on a tax rebate that would remove the provincial portion of the HST for first-time buyers of qualifying new homes valued up to $1 million. Making home ownership more attainable is a key priority for Ontario’s big city mayors, and this measure is a positive step toward opening the housing market to more Ontarians.
OBCM also looks forward to continued collaboration with the Province on the Building Ontario Fund, which is helping municipalities deliver critical infrastructure projects such as transit, bridges, roads, and wastewater systems. These investments are essential to support the construction of more housing and to strengthen the foundation of our growing communities. Additional investments in the Municipal Housing Infrastructure Program and the Ontario Municipal Partnership Fund will further assist municipalities in meeting our shared housing and growth goals.
OBCM is also pleased to see the government’s ongoing efforts to strengthen trade and support local businesses, including an additional $100 million investment in the Ontario Together Trade Fund (OTTF). This funding will help small and medium-sized enterprises diversify into new markets and enhance Ontario’s overall trade resiliency.
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 nearly 70 percent of Ontario’s population and almost 30 percent 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