Council here has expressed support for a local MPP’s resolution that calls on the government to de-politicize infrastructure funding announcements.
Council received notice from Perth-Wellington MPP Randy Pettapiece at its Aug. 11 meeting of plans to introduce a private member’s resolution in the legislature.
The proposed resolution reads “the government should guarantee that government-held ridings and opposition-held ridings be given equal and transparent consideration on infrastructure funding, and that when funding decisions are made, should guarantee that all MPPs, whether in government or opposition, be given fair and equal advance notice of the official announcement.
“There is, after all, no such thing as Liberal, PC or NDP infrastructure money; there is only public money. That money comes from taxes that we all pay; everyone in the province should expect a similar quality of infrastructure and services, regardless of where they live,” states Pettapiece in his letter, which asks council to pass a resolution of its own in support his position.
“Too often, however, there is at least a persistent perception that public infrastructure dollars have, in at least some cases, been directed according to politics and not according to need.” In his letter, the Conservative MPP points out a section of the resolution dealing specifically with funding announcements.
“These announcements must, I believe, be depoliticized in order to address the perception that opposition-held ridings are disadvantaged – or worse yet, being punished – for voting against the government.”
“I think this is very important especially for our municipality,” said Mayor Neil Driscoll, prior to council passing a resolution supporting the MPP’s position.
