As the Ontario provincial budget is set to be released on Thursday, the Town of Whitby is urging the provincial government to close the funding gap with municipalities and take the next steps in building a much-needed new hospital. The call comes amid growing concerns about the ability of municipalities to affordably provide services and infrastructure for their rapidly growing populations.
Whitby Mayor Elizabeth Roy emphasized the urgent need for the provincial government to work with municipalities to find solutions to the challenges they face. “Whitby is one of the fastest-growing communities in Canada, and our residents deserve infrastructure and services that keep pace with that growth,” said Roy. “Municipalities are being asked to do more than ever before, and we simply cannot continue to fund provincial responsibilities through property taxes.”
The municipal funding gap is a pressing issue for Whitby, with the town facing an annual $4 billion shortfall caused by municipalities funding provincial responsibilities, including healthcare, social housing, and other essential services. Roy has called on the province to close the gap by reassessing the funding model and providing municipalities with adequate funding tools to ensure that local services and infrastructure can meet the growing demand.
A key priority for the Town of Whitby is the completion of a new hospital in the community, which has been a long-standing need. The town was promised a $2 million planning grant for the hospital nearly two years ago, and while work continues to acquire the land for the facility, there has been no progress on the capital commitment to move the project forward. The town is urging the provincial government to prioritize the hospital project in the upcoming budget, addressing critical aspects such as the timeline, land acquisition, and capital funding.
Matt Gaskell, the town’s Chief Administrative Officer, said, “Whitby is growing quickly, and with that growth comes real pressure on local services and infrastructure.” He explained that municipalities need predictable revenue streams to manage the economic, social, and infrastructure demands associated with population growth. “Municipalities want to do their part, but we need the right funding tools to keep services affordable while continuing to invest in things residents rely on every day – from roads and recreation to healthcare infrastructure.”
Roy’s motion to address the municipal funding gap and the need for provincial support was formally supported by Whitby Council. The motion includes requests for the province to re-evaluate the current system, including municipal contributions to hospital capital costs and the sharing of housing-related revenues like land transfer tax and HST.
The hospital project is critical for Whitby, not only for the healthcare services it will provide to residents but also as a way to support the community’s growing population. The need for additional healthcare infrastructure is essential to maintaining a high quality of life for Whitby’s residents, especially as the town continues to expand.
As Whitby prepares for further growth, the town is urging the provincial government to prioritize funding for these critical projects and create a more sustainable funding framework for municipalities across Ontario.
