Former Director Calls for Stricter Accountability in Ontario's Municipal Budget Process
Joseph A. Gaetan, a former director and treasurer, has raised concerns about the lack of accountability in Ontario's municipal budget process. He argues that the current system, governed by the Municipal Act, lacks the safeguards present in the Condominium Act, 1998, which ensures a higher standard of stewardship for condo boards.
Gaetan points out that both condo fees and property taxes are compulsory contributions, yet only the former has similar statutory safeguards. Under the Condominium Act, significant new expenses require notification to owners, a meeting if requisitioned, and sometimes a two-thirds vote of approval. Gaetan suggests that the province should adopt these condo-style safeguards to strengthen the Municipal Act.
He believes that municipal councils need flexibility, but without proper stewardship, public trust can erode. Gaetan, who no longer comments on the Burlington municipal budget due to its predictability, finds the current process frustrating and questions its accountability. He argues that adopting condominium-style safeguards would restore confidence in the management of taxpayer dollars.
Joseph A. Gaetan has proposed strengthening the Municipal Act by adopting safeguards similar to those in the Condominium Act. This would require direct taxpayer approval for substantial new spending and restrict reserve funds to their intended purposes, ultimately enhancing accountability and public trust in municipal budgeting.
