TORONTO - Ontario's three major political parties say money collected through property taxes shouldn't be used to pay for social services programs, and are vowing to relieve that burden if elected this fall.
Conservative Leader John Tory told the Association of Municipalities of Ontario conference in Ottawa today that property taxes should be used to pay for police, fire and water services -- not social services.
He says the province must pay its fair share starting next year.
NDP Leader Howard Hampton says his party would take responsibility for provincial programs and freeze transit fares for two years.
Premier Dalton McGuinty announced Monday at the conference that the Liberals will upload responsibility for the province's disability and drug benefit program starting Jan. 1.
AMO president Doug Reycraft says municipal leaders are encouraged to hear all three parties agree on uploading social services, but adds municipalities still need other revenue sources to ease the cash crunch.
