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Minister says province won't pay for operational costs of social housing, despite NOMA resolution

THUNDER BAY – The province has no plans to pay for the operation of social housing, despite a Northwestern Ontario Municipal Association resolution urging them to do so.
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Municipal Affairs and Housing Minister Ted McMeekin speaks during the Northwestern Ontario Municipal Association's minister's forum on Friday. (Matt Vis, tbnewswatch.com)

THUNDER BAY – The province has no plans to pay for the operation of social housing, despite a Northwestern Ontario Municipal Association resolution urging them to do so.

Municipal Affairs and Housing Minister Ted McMeekin was one of six Ontario Cabinet ministers participating in the bear pit question and answer session at the 70th annual NOMA annual conference, which concluded Friday afternoon at the Victoria Inn.

That resolution called on the provincial government to make amendments that would increase the shelter and utility rates for social housing, as well as initially contributing 50 per cent of operating costs and working up to 100 per cent.

McMeekin described the notion of Ontario picking up the operational costs of social housing as a “non-starter.”

“We’re simply not going to do that,” McMeekin said.

“The municipality has a responsibility. The own the asset, they will leverage the asset. But if you own an asset, leverage an asset you can’t expect another level of government to supply the operational funds. It’s just not how it works.”

NOMA vice-president Iain Angus, who is also a Thunder Bay city councillor, said municipalities have been on the hook since 2000 when social housing was made their responsibility through district social services administration boards.

Ontario is the only jurisdiction in Canada where there is no operational support to local government.

Angus said he wasn’t surprised the suggestion of the province helping pay operational costs was dismissed.

“The key thing was to remind the province that they did download social housing without any ongoing operating costs and those costs are being borne by the property taxpayer,” Angus said.

“We offered some suggestions and we’ll see where it goes. We’ll continue to press it because it’s important to us.”

Both McMeekin and Angus said they are looking forward to the federal government developing a national housing policy, a process which is expected to begin in June.

The creation of a strategy should provide clarity for all levels of government.

“The federal government has been absent from the housing scene for the past 10 years. The federal government is an important component for the ongoing sustainability of social housing as well as the growth of social housing,” Angus said.

“Without a national strategy it’s a hodgepodge and it’s whatever provinces can beat out of the federal government. That’s not the way to run a country. Let’s have a seamless system from one end to the other, not that it’s a one-size fits all, but that we have some principles to guide us in terms of how social housing is to be supported.”

A national strategy also signifies national commitment whether it be existing social housing, new social housing or supportive housing, Angus added.

Other ministers at the session included Northern Development and Mines Minister Michael Gravelle, Natural Resources and Forestry Minister Bill Mauro, Environment and Climate Change Minister Glen Murray, Aboriginal Affairs Minister David Zimmer and Health and Long-Term Care Associate Minister Dipika Damerla.

They addressed other issues brought forward by regional leaders such as inter-community bus service, forestry, wildlife management and the need for long-term care beds in Sioux Lookout.





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