Why Are Cities Getting Screwed

Because the liberals, when Martin was finance minister, cut transfer payments to the provinces which in turn had to dump services on the municipalities but Toronto still supports the federal liberals at election time. But we can't forget the lack of fiscal control excercised by the elected officials at Toronto city hall....$5M for road repairs, $6.5M for office renovations.

EDITORIAL: Cities deserve a fair shake

Canada is a country of cities run largely by politicians from rural ridings.

That has to stop.

The Conference Board of Canada may not have put it that bluntly in its report released last week, “Mission Possible, Successful Canadian Cities,” but that’s the gist.

And it’s one of many problems holding back our city and cities across this country.

In Canada, 80% of us live in cities. That’s not just Toronto, Montreal and Vancouver, but also the suburbs of those cities. Vaughan, Burlington, Mississauga, this means you, too.

You are all getting screwed.

In 1993, cities received 25% of their revenues from the federal and provincial governments. That fell to 16% by 2004. It’s becoming clearer why cities cry poor.

And help? Well here’s why it’s hard to get. It’s the make up of government. Cities are under-represented both in Ottawa and provincially.

This leads to debates about agriculture, fisheries and natural resources — which together constitute only 3% of national economic activity — dominating over urban concerns, the report found.

“The distinctive needs of Canada’s six big cities are being ignored,” the report states. “Chronically short of resources and poorly equipped with governance powers, our big cities are struggling to fulfil their potential as engines of national prosperity.”

Living and playing in Toronto, it’s easy to see what the report is referring to. The city is bleeding jobs, the transit system is set to scoop up 51% of the city’s capital funding for 2007, the problems of the homeless and new immigrants are multiplying, and there is no cash in the budget to pay for these issues, never mind expanding community centres, rinks and parks.

That’s why the Conference Board is backing Mayor David Miller’s call for access to a growth tax — like the sales tax.

And why should cities get this money? “Increasing resources allocated to major cities would have a substantial impact on accelerating national economic growth,” the report found. That’s right, making cities work is good for the whole country.

The study is a loud call for help for municipal governments.

We understand why taxpayers are apprehensive about handing more money over to cities when the fools can’t even sit together for a photo.

But the provincial and federal governments are sitting on city money, and spending it elsewhere. It needs to be directed to fixing our roads, solidifying and expanding the TTC and GO Transit.

To finding ways to keep business taxes low and to make the city appealing so that the smartest, most creative people and businesses.

Now’s the time. The future of Canada’s cities has to be a front-burner election issue.