The provincial government is introducing new legislation to help municipalities weather COVID-19.
Minister of Municipal Affairs Steve Clark says the legislation if passed will allow for municipalities to continue to hold online meetings should they want to.
“We think that makes good sense even after COVID-19 is over. To support physical distancing or in case of illness, we are giving municipalities the choice to vote by proxy,” Clark said.
The legislation would also put in place a new community benefits charge to help cities pay for their infrastructure and other needs.
If passed, the COVID-19 Economic Recovery Act will:
- Restart jobs and development to get Ontario’s economic engine roaring again by getting key infrastructure projects built faster, attracting more jobs and investment, and cutting red tape to help businesses adapt to the new environment.
- Strengthen communities by ensuring municipalities are equipped with the tools they need to continue to provide the critical services people rely on every day, including allowing municipalities and their local boards to continue to choose to hold meetings electronically at any time and putting in place a new community benefits charge to help municipalities pay for the infrastructure and services needed for growing communities.
- Create opportunities for people as they recover their lives and livelihoods by protecting consumers, modernizing services, improving the education system and removing the social and economic barriers that stand in the way of success for young people.
