Large Urban Mayors' Caucus of Ontario statements on Municipal Funding and Anti-Racism

Earlier today I met with fellow Large Urban Mayors Caucus of Ontario (LUMCO) mayors via webcast and discussed the urgent need to get financial support from upper levels of government to municipalities in dire need.As Guelph Mayor and LUMCO Chair Cam Guthrie explained, “Municipalities are facing a perfect storm of increased costs and decreased revenues in the face of this public health crisis; this threatens our ability to deliver critical services when our residents need them most.”While we have heard for weeks that the Prime Minister and Premier have been talking about this pressing need, the time has come for action. Mayor Guthrie asserted that “On behalf of Ontario’s big city mayors, please, conclude your negotiations and start supporting our residents and the services we all need to support the recovery.”You can read the full statement here: June 5 2020 LUMCO NR_FINALToday's meeting also touched on the important topic of anti-black racism and the outpouring of support we are seeing throughout the world this past week. As Canadians, we know there is no place for racism in any form in our communities and that we must all listen, learn and take action to stop it wherever we find it. There is work to be done, and we are committed to doing it.You can read the full statement on that issue here: June 5 2020 LUMCO Statement_FINAL