Municipalities Call on Senior Levels of Government to Help Pay Social Services Costs

Wednesday, March 24, 2010 11:30 AM

Prince George, B.C.- The Federation of Canadian Municipalities says municipalities are being over burdened by the downloading of responsibility for social programs.

The Federation has just released a new report on the issue “Mending Canada’s Frayed Social Safety Net; The role of Municipal Governments”

FCM President, Mayor Basil Stewart of Summerside, P.E.I. says the recession is adding extra pressure “We have a new class of working poor in our country; waiting lists for affordable housing that keep getting longer; and people struggling to get to work and find childcare. More and more, the only things giving these people a fighting chance are the services provided by municipal governments.”

In addition to direct social services, such as affordable housing, emergency shelters, and subsidized childcare, municipal governments deliver public services that help residents earn a living and raise their families, like public transit, recreation programs and libraries.

“Often we have no choice but to rob Peter to pay Paul; deferring investments in roads or water treatment to pay for affordable housing,” says Stewart.

Municipal finances are not robust enough to continue supporting these added responsibilities without help, adds Stewart.

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Posted on Wednesday, March 24, 2010 11:30 AM in News by 250 News

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Comments

Posted by: He spoke on March 24 2010 12:48 PM

Yeah, we need some help. The olympic officials managed to ship out the homeless. You want them back.

I don't see why it is a municipal problem. it should be a provincial and federal problem. We are still expected to pay the federal and provincial tax at the same rate. but they have no problems off loading the responsibility down the line.

I'm sorry, but we can not support this load anymore.

Posted by: Eagleone on March 24 2010 5:38 PM

I think any taxes on energy consumption should be local. The federal and provincial government have no place in taxing fuel, carbon taxes, and the like. That should be devolved to the regional governments for distribution to local municipalities and property taxes should be eliminated for everything other than costs that are directly related to property ownership.

Renters, tourists, students ect that run their heat all day and drive around on our roads should also pay for the local governments they participate in electing. People that vote should all participate in the costs of the governments they elect and not just the captive home owners and business which are held ransom by local governments largely elected by those not accountable for paying its cost.

The taxation system is clearly broken in its allocation of responsibilities.

The Federation of Canadian Municipalities would go a long way in proving they are not a communist organ if they supported changing the local taxation regime away from property owners and on to the energy consumers that volunteer to spend... allowing for equitable taxation of the participating voting public. Those that want to go green or use public transport could do those things knowing they are cutting their taxation in the process.

Posted by: Retired on March 25 2010 10:04 AM

Its about time that they spoke up for social services. All PG has done in the past is look for funds to drive the economy and forgotten about the needs of our society. What ever has become of the free enterprise system that we all seem to cherish but are always looking to government for a free hand out. Socialism is alive and well.
Cheers