Given my interest in getting folks to better understand what is happening in their city, I am heartened to see some new engagement efforts from our local municipalities around city budgets. The City of Kitchener created this video that offers a great overview of what’s involved in budgeting for a city’s services. The video notes that Ontario cities receive 9% of all taxes collected but are responsible for over 50% of the infrastructure. Kitchener is responsible for 47 core services. Also, provincial regulations require that all municipal budgets are balanced, meaning all money coming in must equal all money going out. Therefore, cities can not run deficits.
Excellent summary. It is abundantly clear that discussing any significant aspect of municipal affairs is pointless without full consideration of the federal and provincial dimension. Each sphere is distinct, and they all require a measure of autonomy to function effectively, but they are also interdependent, and therefore essentially inseparable from one another. So I'd like to suggest one minor revision in your text: Instead City vs. Region, make it City vis a vis Region. The same goes for any "level" of our democratic order in relation to any other: city, region, province, confederation. They all serve and represent us, the people. In essence, they ARE us, co-existing within a defined geographic area as a "body politic." The so-called "higher" spheres only represent more of us, across larger portions of the land. The many have no inherent superiority over the few other than simply being more numerous. These bodies aren't in competition with one another, nor is any sphere in charge of any other. The goal for all constituent elements is an integrated, harmonious order that serves, represents and makes room for engagement from any and all of us while also leaving us free to find and fulfill our personal purposes.
I think I just used the title that city had given that video, but yes, I think your point is valid. I believe I have referred to 'city and region' previously, but I do like your term 'vis a vis' in this case as it seems a more accurate description.
Love the point about the interdependence of the levels of government. Would love to see more collaboration between the tiers on budgeting, for example, one tier lowering its taxes to make room for the other tier to raise them to fund a critical service while keeping the overall raise within inflation. I worry that things like the CPI policy are barriers to this, if they are applied at the individual budget level rather than at the "entire municipal tax bill" level.
Excellent summary. It is abundantly clear that discussing any significant aspect of municipal affairs is pointless without full consideration of the federal and provincial dimension. Each sphere is distinct, and they all require a measure of autonomy to function effectively, but they are also interdependent, and therefore essentially inseparable from one another. So I'd like to suggest one minor revision in your text: Instead City vs. Region, make it City vis a vis Region. The same goes for any "level" of our democratic order in relation to any other: city, region, province, confederation. They all serve and represent us, the people. In essence, they ARE us, co-existing within a defined geographic area as a "body politic." The so-called "higher" spheres only represent more of us, across larger portions of the land. The many have no inherent superiority over the few other than simply being more numerous. These bodies aren't in competition with one another, nor is any sphere in charge of any other. The goal for all constituent elements is an integrated, harmonious order that serves, represents and makes room for engagement from any and all of us while also leaving us free to find and fulfill our personal purposes.
I think I just used the title that city had given that video, but yes, I think your point is valid. I believe I have referred to 'city and region' previously, but I do like your term 'vis a vis' in this case as it seems a more accurate description.
Love the point about the interdependence of the levels of government. Would love to see more collaboration between the tiers on budgeting, for example, one tier lowering its taxes to make room for the other tier to raise them to fund a critical service while keeping the overall raise within inflation. I worry that things like the CPI policy are barriers to this, if they are applied at the individual budget level rather than at the "entire municipal tax bill" level.