Considering the $100-billion infrastructure deficit in Ontario, and that the new Harmonized Sales Tax (HST) will generate more revenue for the provincial government, Ontario municipalities should re-ceive more gas tax funding.
That was the message relayed by Mapleton council last week, when it supported a resolution from the Township of Malahide, located southeast of London, in?Elgin?County.
The Malahide resolution states “the majority of public infrastructure in Ontario is municipal infrastructure,” including roads and bridges, for which municipalities “struggle to pay for needed repairs and maintenance.”
Introduced on July 1, the HST added 8% tax to many goods and services where previously only the 5% GST was charged, including gasoline and diesel fuel. That resulted in “increased tax revenues for the government of Ontario,” the Malahide resolution states, which should be invested in infrastructure, “a crucial component of a strong economy and part of the government of Ontario’s strategy for jobs and growth in Ontario.”
The resolution requests the government “provide municipalities with a portion of HST generated through the sale of gasoline and diesel fuel in order to enable municipalities to address current infrastructure deficits and continue to invest in environmentally sustainable infrastructure.”
The resolution was forwarded, with a request for action, to: the Ministry of Transportation, Elgin County MPPs and MPs, the premier’s office, the Association for Municipalities of Ontario (AMO) and all municipalities in Ontario.
Mapleton councillor Dennis Craven suggested the township support the resolution and the rest of council agreed. Councillor Jim Curry was absent.
