CUPE Ontario is condemning the Ford Conservatives after the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing sent a letter to more than 200 strong mayors, directing them not to use their legislated powers to limit or challenge police budget estimates.
A letter, first reported by Sarnia Journal, suggests mayors cannot use their authority to disagree with spending estimates submitted by police service boards.
“This is a stunning overreach,” said Fred Hahn, president of CUPE Ontario. “If the premier believes policing is so essential that mayors cannot question budget estimates, then the same principle must apply to paramedics, long-term care, child care, shelters, social services, housing supports, and of course our municipal workers, who operate and maintain our vital water infrastructure, roads, and garbage collection. You cannot shield one service from scrutiny while forcing every other service to fight for scraps.”
Hahn said municipal workers see every year how, even though crime statistics continue to fall across the province, policing consumes a growing share of municipal budgets, crowding out investments in housing, transit, community supports and emergency services.
“If strong mayors are barred from questioning police estimates, are they also barred from questioning community centre deficits or shelter shortfalls?” Hahn asked. “Communities know those services are every bit as important. This isn’t about public safety; it’s about centralized political control; a frightening trend we see in our neighbours to the South.”
Krista Laing, chair of CUPE Ontario’s Municipal Workers Committee, said the directive undermines local democracy and worsens instability in municipal finances.
“These types of heavy-handed directives create a hunger games atmosphere at the local level,” Laing said. “Councils are forced to choose between core services because the province refuses to provide stable, adequate funding. You shouldn’t protect one line item by starving the rest.”
CUPE Ontario said public safety requires investments across the full spectrum of services municipalities deliver.
“Communities rely on emergency medical services, long-term care, child care, shelters, community and recreation programs and social supports just as much as policing,” Laing said. “If the province is serious about safety, it must fund all essential services properly, not elevate one above the rest.”
CUPE Ontario is calling on the Ford Conservatives to withdraw its directive and respect the authority of democratically elected municipal leaders.