NDP Municipal Affairs Critic Andrea Horwath wants to know when the McGuinty government plans to give Ontario’s cash-strapped municipalities a fair deal.

“Where’s the cash for municipalities? Towns and cities across Ontario are being squeezed for additional funds with the cost for essential programs and services mounting,” said Horwath, alluding to escalating court security costs and firefighter workplace-illness claims.

“The province-wide cost for firefighter workplace-illness claims alone will top $150-million. Firefighters and their families deserve this money, but municipalities are financially strapped. Dalton McGuinty needs to step up, assume his responsibility and provide stable long-term funding so that municipalities can properly fulfill their financial obligations.”

Horwath also criticized the McGuinty government for failing to release its long-awaited report on the state of municipal finances and service delivery. The report had been expected in early June.

“It’s now late July and the report is seven weeks overdue. If this were the public library, Dalton McGuinty would be charged a hefty late fee. Instead, he leaves it to municipalities to pick up his mounting tab,” said Horwath.