QUEEN’S PARK — MPP Mike Schreiner sent the following letter to the Premier, asking the province for a Municipal Response Plan to give municipalities urgent financial relief to deal with COVID-19.
The recommendations include:
- Restoring the previous funding formula for public health;
- Providing a $350 million operating grant to cover the operating costs of municipal-run long-term care homes;
- Restoring provincial funding for community housing;
- Increasing emergency stabilization funding for shelters, food banks and other non-profits;
- Fast-tracking funding for already approved infrastructure projects;
- Creating a multi-billion dollar active transportation fund for municipalities;
- Restoring the previous funding formula for child care;
- Funding 50% of local transit operating costs for municipalities;
- Doubling the municipalities’ share of gas tax funding; and
- Allowing municipalities to implement new revenue generating tools, including road tolls, parking levies and land value taxation