#2. That local governments resolve to embrace their full potential.
Prime Minister Wilfrid Laurier proclaimed that the 20th century would belong to Canada. Views differ on how much that became the case, but I would argue that the 21st century can belong to our municipal governments if local political leaders would embrace their full potential.
Big city mayors have become increasingly prominent, often speaking out on issues of the day. Edmonton’s Don Iveson and Calgary’s Naheed Nenshi took exception to the Harper Government’s proposed ban of the niqab during the federal election campaign in late 2015. Many American mayors have stepped up to counter the hateful comments and actions that have proliferated in the aftermath of the recent presidential election in the U.S.A.
The We Are Still In coalition representing 2,500 mayors, governors, university presidents, and other civil leaders participated in a climate summit of the United Nations in early November 2017. One such participant was the mayor of Carmel, Indiana, someone who heads up a Republican municipal council from the home state of Republican Vice President Mike Pence.
Closer to home, the City of Kingston, where I live, has made sustainability one of its primary objectives. As a result of various initiatives to improve its public transit services, the city experienced a 33% increase in the proportion of commuters choosing Kingston Transit, the largest growth – by far – in any city in Canada. It also recently introduced an Innovation Challenge which invited current and recently graduated students from Queen’s University, Royal Military College, and St. Lawrence College to submit proposals to address three specific issues – with the winning team receiving an implementation budget and each team member getting a four month city internship to see their project through.
Main Constraint on Municipalities is Self-Imposed
The main factor keeping municipalities from achieving their full potential is resources, which is usually interpreted to mean a need for additional taxing powers and for additional funding from the provincial and federal government. I would argue, however, that a major constraint on resources is self-imposed, and that is the unwillingness of municipal councils to utilize the resources that they already have. This has been true of Toronto for as long as I can remember and it is unlikely to change with Doug Ford contemplating a run for mayor on the platform of cutting waste and holding the line on taxes – even as property taxes in Toronto remain dramatically below those in other municipalities throughout the GTA.
While municipal councillors should make every effort to ensure that tax dollars are spent as wisely as possible, “holding the line on taxes” should never be their declared objective. Radical as it may sound, their objective should be to raise the taxes necessary to meet the needs of the local community. It has been said that city government services are the difference between savagery and civilization. That may sound rather melodramatic but you might not get an objection from those languishing in their cars on congested city streets, on waiting lists for affordable housing, or boiling tap water to ensure that it is safe to drink.
Local governments are on the front lines when it comes to the delivery of services essential to the quality of life of our citizens. They also show a willingness to step up when other levels of government fail to address the issues of the day. They are in many ways the most relevant level of government and their role and importance will only increase in the 21st century as they recognize and embrace their full potential.