Stiles calls for a new deal to support small and rural municipalities

TWEED – Marit Stiles, Ontario NDP leader, joined rural municipal leaders to call for a new deal that helps municipalities plan for better infrastructure, housing, public health, and more.

“Whether you live in Toronto, Kingston, Belleville or Tweed – you deserve a good life. We had a sobering, eye-opening meeting with mayors and councillors from Tweed, Belleville, Bancroft, and Hastings.

“Rural municipalities, and most importantly, residents, are saddled with the burden of Doug Ford and his politicians’ neglect. From infrastructure, to housing, to healthcare – the province needs to start taking responsibility and paying their fair share.

“What I heard from the Mayors and councillors today makes it abundantly clear that rural municipalities need a new deal – one that puts their reality, challenges, and needs front and centre. As Ontario's next Premier, I will reverse years of downloading costs and services and make a big difference in the lives of people in small town Ontario.”

Stiles was joined by the Mayor Don DeGenova, Mayor Neil Ellis, Mayor Paul Jenkins, Warden Bob Mullins, Ontario NDP rural affairs critic John Vanthof, as well as local Tweed councillors.

Quotes

Don DeGenova, Mayor of Tweed

“I used to refer to Tweed as the canary in the coal mine. But I realized it’s just the tip of the iceberg. Don’t make decisions about us without us. Get us to the table. We need a plan.”

Neil Ellis, Mayor of Belleville

“How are we going to get things done? It’s getting almost impossible. When the Province stops doing things, we bear the brunt of the costs of doing that. We're on the frontlines, we know what we need, but the government does not seem to be listening.”