The Minister Stated

-       The Minister stated  there is a need, “to examine everything the government does, piece by piece, to find creative, efficient and effective ways to deliver public services.” 

During the recent provincial election campaign AMO advanced a number of pragmatic, cost free proposals.  Among them, the Premier has promised to work with municipalities to explore:

-       Opportunities to collect up to $1 billion in unpaid Provincial Offences Act fines; and

-       Reviewing joint and several liability which would help protect property taxpayers from rising insurance rates and excessive claims.

The Premier also said he would honour the existing social service and court security upload agreement of $1.5 billion by 2018 and:

-       Protect Ontario’s municipal property tax base from any new downloaded costs;

-       Create a permanent fund for municipal roads and bridges;

-       Provide permanent Provincial Gas Tax revenue – of at least $318 million annually – for transit;

-       Promote personal and producer responsibility within waste management systems;

-       Ensuring that clear and fair energy policies support sound planning and investment in Ontario’s electricity system;

-       Avoid caps on property assessment or taxation; and,

-       Continue to consolidate housing programs that are supported by current or increased funding.

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The Association of Municipalities of Ontario sends out communiques to members almost daily.The one above came through yesterday. Note the verbiage:

 

        promote personal and producer responsibility within waste management systems:


It means the government will do a lot of talking about the merits of responsibility within waste management systems. It won't actually do anything. Though it  might  periodically send  a reminder to municipalities depending on how many people they have sitting around in offices needing to occupy their minds and hands and justify their existence. 

The reminder  may in turn be re-interpreted and relayed to politicos  as legislative requirements. Said politicos not knowing the difference  between baffle gab and legislation might well embark on  an $800,000 project to meet government requirements.

       Ensuring that clear and fair energy policies support sound planning and investment in     Ontario’s electricity system;


This one is precious.  Just  yesterday  the government affirmed a decision made during  the election campaign  to stop construction on a gas-fired (clean-alternative to coal) hydro generation plant in Mississauga.


In the previous  election, they  committed to close down coal fired hydro generation plants in Mississauga.  And they  did