AMCTO Policy Blog


Legislative and policy updates from Ontario's largest municipal professional association.
Third Party Audits of Municipal Finances and Development Charges
2023-05-05 10:37:44 AM

As has been widely covered,   Bill 23 More Homes Built Faster Act, 2022  contained sweeping changes with financial impacts for municipalities. Multiple municipal associations, including AMCTO, flagged concerns to the Province about the impacts of these changes. As a result,...





Administrative Burden Advocacy - Roadside Zoos and Exotic Animals
2023-04-25 12:21:00 PM

Earlier this month, AMCTO wrote to the Minister for Natural Resources and Forestry and the Solicitor General to encourage the Province to develop a mandatory licensing regime for the keeping or use of exotic animals in captivity in the interest of public safety and to minimize...





Federal Government Releases 2023 Budget
2023-03-30 4:12:08 PM

On March 28, 2023 the Federal Government released its 2023 Budget: A Made-in-Canada Plan: Strong Middle Class, Affordable Economy, Healthy Future. The budget is focussed on making every day life more affordable for Canadians, including measures such as a grocery rebate, inc...





Applications Now Open for Inclusive Community Grants
2023-03-15 11:25:57 AM

Applications for the 2023-24 round of Inclusive Community Grants are now open. This year the program envelope is a total of $750,000. These grants provide municipalities, non-profit organizations and Indigenous communities with up to $60,000 for local projects that will hel...





Proposed Changes to the 2023 Financial Information Return
2023-03-10 3:19:47 PM

The Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing (MMAH) is updating the 2023 Financial Information Return (FIR) to reflect recent Public Sector Accounting Standard Changes, among other changes. Changes are proposed to Schedules 10, 51, 53, 54B and 70, and two new Statements ar...





Advocacy Update: Calling for Return to the Assessment Cycle
2023-01-18 11:49:09 AM

As you'll recall, the province postponed property assessments during the COVID-19 pandemic. While this rationale was understood, continued delay is have effects on municipal finances. AMCTO and other municipal associations were disappointed that the Fall Economic Statement...





Province announces Phase 4 of Safe Restart Agreement
2022-12-07 11:49:47 AM

The Province has announced that it is providing municipalities with up to $505 million through Phase 4 of the federal-provincial Safe Restart Agreement to help support municipal transit systems. The funding will help municipal transit systems in 107 municipalities address c...





Province Releases Fall Economic Statement
2022-11-15 4:00:36 PM

Yesterday, Minister of Finance Peter Bethlenfalvy released the 2022 Ontario Economic Outlook and Fiscal Review – Ontario’s Plan to Build: A Progress Update. Some highlights include: Automatically matching property tax reductions for small businesses within all municip...





2023 OMPF Allocations Announced
2022-11-09 3:36:22 PM

The Ontario government has announced its 2023 funding allocations under the Ontario Municipal Partnership Fund (OMPF) . The government is maintaining the program envelope at $500 million, where it has been since 2020. AMCTO continues to advocate for stable and predictable ...





Federal Fall Economic Statement
2022-11-04 11:32:57 AM

Yesterday Chrystia Freeland, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, released the 2022 Fall Economic Statement , with a focus on building an economy that works for everyone. The statement outlines the government’s plan to help Canadians cope with increasing costs, ma...





 
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