A call by Ontario municipalities for a one per cent sales tax to create a dedicated fund for local infrastructure projects isn’t likely to gain traction with the province, says Mapleton councillor Marlene Ottens.
She attended the Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO) convention in Ottawa where, on Aug. 14, AMO president Lynn Dollin called for a tax devoted solely to local infrastructure such as roads, bridges and transit.
AMO estimates municipal governments face an annual shortfall of about $4.9 billion dollars for the next 10 years to maintain current services and address the infrastructure gap.
At the Aug. 22 council meeting Ottens said none of Ontario’s three major political party leaders, all of whom were present at the conference, supported the idea.
“All three … said that they did not support it at all. So I’m not sure how far that’s going to go,” said Ottens.
She suggested Mapleton council should determine how the sales tax would affect the township.
“Would we be losing 75 per cent of our payout because we have so much farmland?” asked Ottens, who said she has contacted provincial officials for more information.
