Big city mayors in Ontario asking federal government for $10B to help

KITCHENER -- Ontario's big city mayors are joining a call for federal emergency funding to help bail out their cities from pandemic-related losses.

The Large Urban Mayors' Caucus of Ontario agreed Tuesday that their municipalities will need more funding to avoid budget deficits and possible service cuts.

The group of 29 cities, which includes Guelph, Kitchener, Waterloo and Cambridge, says their cities are losing more than a combined $70 million on transit alone.

The group's chair, Guelph Mayor Cam Guthrie, says they want to avoid pushing financial problems to future years.

Together with the Federation of Canadian Municipalities, the Large Urban Mayors' Caucus of Ontario are asking the federal government for $10 billion.

Today, #LUMCO discussed issues facing cities during COVID-19 including endorsement of @FCM_online Big City Mayors on fiscal relief needed quickly for municipalities, & our refusal to run deficits. Thanks to @SteveClarkPC for your openness and willingness to work with us. #OnPoli pic.twitter.com/b7R4F03s5c

— Mayor Cam Guthrie (@CamGuthrie) April 28, 2020