Strong Cities Build a Strong Province and Country: Mississauga Submits Recommendations for 2023 Federal and Provincial Budgets

Mississauga Council endorsed the City’s 2023 federal and provincial pre-budget submissions. The submissions include recommendations that ensure Mississauga remains inclusive, world-class and resilient while addressing day-to-day pressures like the ongoing impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic and inflation, as well as dealing with the impacts of issues like housing affordability, traffic and congestion, climate change, and job creation and investment.

“Maintaining the services and high quality of life that our residents deserve and have come to expect are more important than ever as we continue to support our City’s recovery from the pandemic. From delivering reliable public transit to addressing the housing crisis to building more complete, walkable and sustainable communities, we’re taking strides to build a bright and prosperous future for Mississauga,” said Mayor Bonnie Crombie. “Cities like Mississauga are the backbone of our province and country, and we know that city building is nation building. Strong, long-term and predictable funding partnerships and investments from our federal and provincial partners play a critical role in service delivery, and even more so during times of economic uncertainty. By working together, we can address the pressures facing our residents and economy and emerge stronger on the other side.”

Mississauga’s pre-budget submissions include recommendations grouped in three themes: City Building, Housing Affordability and the Local Economy. Highlights of the recommendations, which form the City’s key federal and provincial priorities for 2023, include:

1. City Building

• Pause the implementation of Bill 23 and fully compensate the City of Mississauga for any and all financial losses incurred as a result of the legislation including but not limited to, losses related to development charges and cash in lieu of parkland.
• Work with municipalities to develop new revenue and funding tools, as well as predictable funding streams, to ensure cities can fulfill their responsibilities and properly invest in infrastructure growth and renewal.
• Provide the additional Justices of the Peace required to address the growing backlog of Provincial Offences Act notices in our court system.
• Provide the funding and support necessary to assist the City of Mississauga in achieving its priority transit projects.
• Provide investments in projects that mitigate the impacts of climate change and increase the resiliency and adaptability of our communities.

2. Housing Affordability

• Partner with cities to fund and build affordable housing to close the supply gap and ensure everyone has a safe place to live, including nine recommended actions to advance this goal.

3. Local Economy

• Continue targeted support for sectors hit hardest by the COVID-19 pandemic, including main street businesses, recreation, travel and tourism, creative sector and air travel. Support should be sector specific when appropriate and prioritize non-repayable financial assistance.
• Invest in talent development and access.
• Prioritize investments that support a fair and inclusive economic recovery, including access to affordable childcare, providing adequate sick pay and other actions to advance this goal.
• Develop and fund education and skills-retraining programs to ensure an adequate supply of labour in the trades and construction industry to meet the demands as a result of the province’s housing target of 1.5 million homes in 10 years (120,000 in Mississauga).

“The City of Mississauga continues to be a strong municipal partner with a thriving local economy and a lean and effective government. We have maintained a ‘AAA’ credit rating for the past 19 years and continue to deliver value for money and exceptional customer service despite the increasing pressures we face from the pandemic, housing crisis, inflation and supply shortages,” said Shari Lichterman, Acting City Manager and Chief Administrative Officer. “Now more than ever, increasing costs exceed the revenue we can generate through property taxes and user fees. To continue providing the programs and services our residents rely on every day, we need our federal and provincial partners to support our recommendations.”

The City is submitting its recommendations as part of the 2023 federal and provincial pre-budget consultations currently underway.

Learn more by reading the full submissions:

2023 Federal Pre-Budget Submission

2023 Provincial Pre-Budget Submission

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