Owen Sound city hall. (photo by Claire McCormack)
Owen Sound is joining an Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO) campaign to highlight how provincial partnerships can improve quality of life.
This non-partisan awareness campaign is supported by other municipal governments from across the province to help voters and provincial parties understand how a partnership can address tackling the homelessness crisis, curb the reliance on municipal property taxes to fund provincial responsibilities, and invest in local infrastructure to build housing.
Homelessness in particular, the City of Owen Sound says in a release, is a rapidly growing issue not just in Owen Sound but across Ontario, and is taking a tool on people, community well-being and safety.
The AMO is calling for investments from the province to address the root causes of the crisis like social and supportive housing, mental health and addictions support, as well as income support.
Mayor Ian Boddy says, “Owen Sound council continues to work hard at the local level and to address critical issues that require provincial partnerships. When meeting the provincial ministries, we consistently bring forward pressing concerns like funding structure and provincial assistance on social services. We remain committed to advocating for meaningful action that will enhance the quality of life for all Owen Sound residents.”
The association adds tax payers cannot bear the costs of expanding municipal infrastructure to support growth.
“The Ontario Government’s goal to build 1.5 million homes by 2031 means more pipes, roads and services. Increasing property taxes to fund the expansion only makes housing more costly,” says the city in a release. “With strong provincial-municipal partnerships, Ontario can build opportunity and deliver the quality of life its residents deserve.”
