Your City Matters
What level of government is most responsive to your needs?
In July 2018, Nanos Research conducted a poll commissioned by the Association of Municipalities Ontario, and asked participants that question. The results: 35% responded provincial government; 31% said municipal government; 20% responded federal; 14% were unsure. It’s telling that City Hall is overshadowed by Queen’s Park (in Ontario) and Parliament Hill. Not everyone is aware of the role of local government, and statistics show that municipal elections have the lowest voter turnout of the three.
There are 444 municipalities in Ontario from rural to urban, from the Great Lakes to Hudson Bay.
In the Nanos poll that spanned the province, what were the top issues that most people were concerned about?
Clean Water
Ensuring quality drinking water: 84% of respondents said this was a high municipal service priority. According to the Federation of Canadian Municipalities: “Canadians expect their tap water to be safe to drink. The new federal wastewater regulations means that improving national standards now requires significant investments in wastewater facility upgrades-more than $18-billion worth…These new capital expenditures are a particular challenge for smaller municipalities.”
Infrastructure
Roads, sidewalks, water mains, sewers and power lines. When they break down, the tempers rise and the complaints flood in. In the Nanos Poll, 59% of respondents said that improving the state of roads, bridges and transit is a priority. Municipalities like Ottawa are striving to implement accessible design in public places: “Integrated accessibility standards adaptations should be applied to newly constructed and redeveloped exterior paths of travel”. We all benefit from universal design – curb cuts, ramps, unobstructed sidewalks and tactile walking surface indicators. Get your candidate to step up on providing accessible spaces.
Public transit
For citizens who do not or cannot drive, public transportation is a necessity. Fare increases, inconvenient routes and schedules, and a lack of accessible buses are top issues. Seniors and people with mobility challenges who use accessible services like Wheel-Trans in Toronto and ParaTranspo in Ottawa would like to see more flexibility in the service. How would you rate your bus, light rail and subway service?
Affordable housing
Does your community offer safe, affordable and accessible housing? One in five renters spend half of their income on housing (Source: Statistics Canada, National Household Survey, 2011); it is considered “affordable” if it costs less than 30% of a household’s before-tax income. What is your municipal government doing to prioritize the construction of new, affordable and accessible housing? Housing is a human right.
Did you know? According to the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA), Part VII – Municipal Accessibility, the guide recommends that municipalities establish an accessibility advisory committee with the majority of the members of the committee be persons with disabilities.
Emergency services. Water and electricity. Snow removal. Garbage and recycling. Libraries. Schools. Daycare. Long-term care facilities. Loud neighbours. If you have a concern about any of these matters, you can call 3-1-1 to complain, or you can go out on October 22, have your say and vote. What matters to you in your community?
Wheelchair in Motion’s accessible transportation rentals are available daily, for weekends and more. With van rentals available in the Greater Toronto Area and most areas of Ontario including Ottawa, we are here to assist with your accessible transportation needs. Contact us if you have any questions about accessible transportation van rentals.
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