Province to take back responsibility for bridges
WHEREAS the Government downloaded highways and bridges in the late 1990’s to the Municipalities in Ontario with funding for five years to meet the needs of this downloaded infrastructure; and
WHEREAS much of this infrastructure has deteriorated to the point that it will take millions of dollars to repair or replace in each Municipality; and
WHEREAS bridge rehabilitation in the City of Kenora alone would bankrupt the City of Kenora or cause massive tax increases; and
WHEREAS Northwestern Ontario has suffered a dramatic loss of tax revenue because of the crash of the forest industry;
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Northwestern Ontario Municipal Association urge the Government of Ontario to immediately take back responsibility for bridges and provide sufficient annual funding to maintain the downloaded roads and highways.
Adopted by the membership: April 2011
