Yesterday the Ministry of Finance released details about Ontario's pre-budget consultations. Similar to last year, the province is launching a series of consultations called " Budget Talks ." In particular the government is looking for information about how it can improve publ...
New research published by the Munk School's Institute of Municipal Finance and Governance (IMFG) examines the organizational structure, governance, and, administration of municipal pension plans. The findings suggest that while municipal pension plans are largely in a satisfac...
The Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing has released the report of an Advisory Panel, chaired by David Crombie, that was tasked with developing recommendations as part of a coordinated review of the Greenbelt Plan, the Growth Plan for the Golden Horseshoe, the Oak Ridges...
Bill 73, the Smart Growth for Our Communities Act passed third reading today and will now enter into law. The bill amends both the Planning Act and the Development Charges Act , and is meant to give residents a greater say in planning decisions and open up more opportuni...
The Association of Municipalities Ontario (AMO) has presented a submission on Bill 144, the Budget Measures Act. Bill 144 is an omnibus bill that operationalizes many of the promises made in the government’s budget, and carries implications for 23 separate pieces of legisla...
The Auditor General released her annual report today. This years report covers a wide range of issues from the province’s home care services to economic development funding. Notably the report provided the AG’s latest review of the Ministry of Community and Social Services’ (...
The provincial government in Nova Scotia is considering changes to that province’s Municipal Elections Act, designed to make it easier for residents to vote in local government elections. Some of the changes include quicker residency qualifications (currently a person must li...
During Question Period today Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing Ted McMeekin declared that municipalities in Ontario will not be given the option of using a land transfer tax. Minister McMeekin: Other than in Toronto, where the power already exists, our government w...
On Friday, the government of Ontario released new details about it's Open Data Directive , which will take effect on April 1, 2016. As part of this directive, Ontario ministries and agencies will be required to make all data public, unless it falls under one of a number of ex...
Since the end of the 2014 election, AMCTO has been advocating for transformational changes to the way that Ontario creates and maintains the voters’ list for municipal elections. While there is no “magic bullet,” AMCTO firmly believes that there are a number of opportunities ...