At the event, OBCM announced Michelle Baker as their inaugural Executive Director. Michelle has played key roles in municipal and provincial government for over a decade, with the Ontario government and the City of Mississauga. Michelle has a track record of bringing people together to solve public policy challenges.
“We are thrilled to have Michelle’s leadership at OBCM,” said Jeff Lehman, Chair of OBCM and Mayor of Barrie. “Her wide range of expertise will help OBCM continue to deliver positive ideas that help strengthen Ontario’s largest cities.”
“I am very excited to work with the OBCM caucus and Chair Lehman to continue the strong record of advocacy and policy development,” said Michelle Baker, Executive Director, OBCM. “I know the municipal sector is ready to turn the page on the pandemic and build a more resilient province.”
Throughout the year, OBCM has worked in partnership with the province, business leaders and community organizations to keep residents safe throughout the pandemic. The caucus released notable policy proposals to support the fight against COVID-19, including supporting the establishment of a system for certified proof of vaccination. OBCM also advocated strongly for measures needed to protect Ontarians, such as paid sick leave.
The caucus has begun to release policy proposals within its four areas of strategic focus, beginning with mental health and addiction services across the province. The OBCM Mental Health and Addictions Working Group called for decriminalization of simple possession of some controlled substances, as part of a series of proposals to shift from an enforcement-based to a public health-based approach to addictions.
On a variety of other policy priorities, the caucus has seen its advocacy with the provincial government drive policy changes, including issues as varied as Payments in lieu of taxes for Airports to Municipal Codes of Conduct.
In the upcoming months, OBCM will continue to present policy proposals to address issues of critical importance in our cities, such as housing affordability, climate change and fiscal federalism.
With key policy proposals and new leadership, OBCM will be a strong municipal voice in the post-pandemic recovery, and continue to work with all levels of government to advocate for the issues that matter most to Ontario’s cities.
More information on the recommendations put forward by OBCM can be found at www.ontariobigcitymayors.ca.
Motions
Support for Capital Gains Tax Exemptions
That OBCM establish a formal position opposing the elimination of capital gains tax exemptions on primary residences owned for more than one year.
That the federal Minister with the responsibility of housing affordability be requested to provide an update, in writing, to OBCM outlining the government’s position on capital gains tax exemptions for primary residences.
CARRIED
Payment in Lieu of Taxes
That the Ontario Big City Mayors supports the request the Ontario Minister of Finance to initiate an amendment to OR 282/98 to remove the 5% cap on annual Payments in Lieu of Taxes from incorporated airport authorities to their host municipalities in the Province of Ontario.
CARRIED
Bail Reform
That the Ontario Big City Mayors requests long-overdue bail reform to address the issue of repeat offenders being released into the community.
CARRIED
About Ontario’s Big City Mayors
Ontario’s Big City Mayors (OBCM), formerly known as the Large Urban Mayors’ Caucus of Ontario, includes mayors of 29 single and lower-tier cities with a population of 100,000 or more, who collectively represent nearly 70 per cent of Ontario’s population. OBCM advocates for issues and policies important to Ontario’s largest cities.
Media Contact:
Mayor Jeff Lehman, Chair
officeofthemayor@barrie.ca
705-792-7900