The provincial Liberal government has blocked a PC motion to hold a committee meeting in the north to hear from mayors and residents about their concerns with Bill 68, Modernizing Ontario’s Municipal Legislation.
“We’ve heard a number of different concerns from municipalities in the north and we wanted to ensure that they had the ability to have those concerns heard and considered,” said Ernie Hardeman, MPP Oxford and PC Critic for Municipal Affairs and Housing in a news release. “It seems that the government doesn’t want to take the time to listen to how this bill will impact Ontario residents in the north.”
Bill 68 is a municipal omnibus bill that amends 17 different pieces of legislation, including the Municipal Act, Municipal Conflict of Interest Act, Municipal Elections Act, and the Public Transportation and Highway Improvement Act and Planning Act.
Hardeman proposed the northern committee meeting for the upcoming legislative break week, which would not have delayed the legislation.
“I am disappointed that the government refused to take even a single day to travel to the north and hear directly from people who will be impacted by this bill,” added Hardeman. “A number of northern municipalities have very limited resources and they deserve the ability to share what the additional burdens in this legislation will mean to their taxpayers.”
