Mississauga Submits Recommendations for the 2021 Federal and Provincial Pre-Budget Consultations
Local government | February 10, 2021
Today, General Committee endorsed the recommendations the City of Mississauga will submit for consideration during the 2021 federal and provincial pre-budget consultations. These recommendations are designed to help Mississauga manage the ongoing impacts of COVID-19, encourage new revenue tools and deliver important infrastructure and city-building projects that build strong and resilient communities.
“Cities across Canada have been hit hard by the pandemic. In Mississauga, as we battle the second wave, our main street businesses, transit services, tourism and cultural industries continue to be severely impacted,” said Mayor Bonnie Crombie. “Cooperation from all levels of government has been essential in helping us weather the financial storm. As we move through 2021, we will need our federal and provincial partners to continue to collaborate with us. Investing in cities such as Mississauga will ensure that we not only recover, but broaden our connections and build toward a more resilient future. We are all in this together.”
The recommendations in Mississauga’s federal and provincial pre-budget submissions are aligned with the Financial, Community and Economic Recovery Pillars outlined in the City’s COVID-19 Recovery Framework. In addition to ongoing support for COVID-19 impacts, the recommendations focus on Mississauga’s key priorities including funding for infrastructure renewal, transit and active transportation projects and assistance with affordable housing. The recommendations also seek support for small businesses, the tourism, cultural and air transportation sectors as well as an adequate sick pay program to help keep workers safe.
“In 2020, the City took immediate action by developing a recovery framework, limiting spending and reducing discretionary costs. Aligning our 2021 pre-budget consultation recommendations with our recovery pillars will ensure Mississauga is positioned to build back better as we emerge from the pandemic,” said Paul Mitcham, City Manager and Chief Administrative Officer. “As we look to 2021 and beyond, we encourage our federal and provincial partners to continue to make critical investments that will help Mississauga provide essential services for residents and businesses, while paving the way for a better future.”
Mississauga is also encouraging the provincial government to work with municipalities to develop new revenue tools that will allow cities to deliver services and improve the quality of life for residents while keeping property taxes affordable.
“COVID-19 has put pressures on municipal budgets, which will continue to be felt for years to come. Our limited revenue options – primarily property taxes and user fees – are insufficient to deal with the ramifications of a public health crisis and the other major issues we face,” said Gary Kent, Commissioner, Corporate Services and Chief Financial Officer. “Implementing these changes will set the stage to move forward with important City priorities such as making housing more affordable, supporting innovation and mitigating the impacts of climate change.”
The City is submitting its recommendations as part of the 2021 federal and provincial pre-budget consultations currently underway.
Learn more by reading the full submissions:
2021 Federal Pre-Budget Submission
2021 Provincial Pre-Budget Submission
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