Whitby Council has passed a motion that calls on the province to address what it calls a broken provincial-municipal funding framework that forces municipalities to use property taxes to cover billions of dollars in provincial responsibilities. Liam Nichols, the Chair of the Whitby Public Library Board, has issued a statement in support of the Whitby Council’s resolution.
To the Mayor and Members of Council:
On behalf of the Whitby Public Library Board, I am writing to express our support for Council’s recent resolution calling on the Province of Ontario to modernize the provincial-municipal fiscal framework.
As outlined in the resolution, municipalities are increasingly required to fund services and infrastructure that fall within provincial responsibility, including social housing, health-related capital costs, and social services. These pressures shape decisions across Ontario municipalities and have real implications for the services residents rely on.
Public libraries are directly affected by this fiscal reality. Libraries are essential community infrastructure that serve as welcoming, trusted public spaces that support literacy, learning, digital access, and social connection for residents of all ages and backgrounds. As the housing, mental health, and addiction crises intensify, libraries increasingly serve as a place of last resort for individuals seeking safety, assistance, or connection. When municipal resources are stretched to address downloaded or underfunded provincial responsibilities, difficult budget trade-offs become unavoidable and affect the Town’s ability to deliver the services that our community values.
The Board commends Council for its leadership on this issue and appreciates the opportunity to add our voice in support of this work.
Liam Nichols, Chair, Whitby Public Library Board
c. Lorne Coe, MPP (Whitby)