Ontario Liberal leadership candidate and Etobicoke—Lakeshore MPP Lee Fairclough today released a Building Better Local Communities policy plank as part her vision for a strong, united Ontario Liberal Party and better future for the province. Fairclough will discuss her plan to restore trust, partnership and respect with municipal representatives at the Association of Ontario Municipalities meeting this week.
“A serious government must support and treat all municipalities as essential partners in building thriving local communities,” said Fairclough. “As Liberal Party leader and Premier, I would restore local democracy, put an end to downloading and other regressive policies, and work with municipal leaders to create a fair, balanced and stable approach to local planning and economic development.”
Fairclough’s six commitments will improve the way the province and municipalities work together, respect local government decisions, and invest in the services that people rely on. These commitments will be developed with full input from municipalities and people they serve to ensure they respond to true local needs and support effective implementation, including in rural and Northern Ontario."
- Restore Local Democracy: Repeal all staff powers bestowed on strong mayors, including the ability to unilaterally hire or fire senior public servants. Freeze all other strong mayor powers until a comprehensive review and consultation is conducted.
- Make Local Regional Chairs Local Again: Repeal the Premier’s ability to appoint regional chairs.
- Regulate Data Centres: Provide real leadership on regulating data centres by addressing Ontarians’ concerns including impacts on energy-use, hydro bills, and increased pollution, alongside job and economic benefits, and data sovereignty.
- Get Local Communities Moving: Prioritize fast, effective transportation projects; making transit more affordable, investing in regional transit across Ontario, and improving safety on Highway 11, 17, and the Trans-Canada, through highway twinning or the two-plus-one model, and complete twinning on Highway 69.
- Fair, Balanced and Stable Local Planning: Rather than Doug Ford’s chaotic approach to land use planning and zoning, Fairclough will be guided by fairness, balance and stability when working with municipal Councils, the Ontario Land Tribunal and other bodies.
- End Provincial Downloading to Municipalities: Conservatives have pushed costs for provincial responsibilities onto communities. Fairclough will make sure the province pays its fair share and provide relief to municipal taxpayers.
For more details on the Agricultural policy go to leefairclough.ca/policy.
For more information, contact: media@leefairclough.ca