Grant Metropolitan Governments Constitutional Power
Preamble
WHEREAS metropolitan areas have grown significantly in size in the past and are projected to be the driving force of population and economic growth; and,
WHEREAS metropolitan areas are increasingly under pressure from the ‘downloading’ of services from the Provinces without the corresponding ability to raise funds to pay for these extra responsibilities; and,
WHEREAS urban issues have become increasingly complex because of growing pressures, increasing densities, transportation infrastructure, and the affordable housing crisis; and,
WHEREAS municipalities are the most local and responsive of governments to the needs of citizens; and,
WHEREAS the Green Party of Canada believes in supporting and giving voice to local communities and their citizens; and,
WHEREAS it is standard practice in many industrialized nations to grant autonomy to their metropolitan areas;
Operative
Be it resolved that the Green Party of Canada work to amend The Constitution Act, otherwise known as the Canadian Constitution, so that Metropolitan areas of 100,000 or more, defined as Census Metropolitan Areas, CMAs, by Statistics Canada, be officially recognized as a third tier of government within the Canadian constitution.
Be it further resolved that these Metropolitan areas be granted limited powers of direct taxation within Municipal boundaries to raise money for the City, the borrowing of money for the sole credit of the Municipality, land use zoning, issuance of bonds, pending agreement with the Province.
Be it further resolved that item 8 in section 92 of the Constitution Act regarding the Provinces power of “Municipal Institution” be changed to read “Municipal Institution of under 100,000 people”.
Background
Code
Proposal Type
Submitter Name
Party Commentary
This motion, in calling for the constitutional recognition of large metropolitan centres within Canada, would create new policy. Also, this motion could be viewed as unrealistic in its call for amendments to Canada's constitution.
Preamble
WHEREAS metropolitan areas have grown significantly in size in the past and are projected to be the driving force of population and economic growth; and,
WHEREAS metropolitan areas are increasingly under pressure from the ‘downloading’ of services from the Provinces without the corresponding ability to raise funds to pay for these extra responsibilities; and,
WHEREAS urban issues have become increasingly complex because of growing pressures, increasing densities, transportation infrastructure, and the affordable housing crisis; and,
WHEREAS municipalities are the most local and responsive of governments to the needs of citizens; and,
WHEREAS the Green Party of Canada believes in supporting and giving voice to local communities and their citizens; and,
WHEREAS it is standard practice in many industrialized nations to grant autonomy to their metropolitan areas;
Operative
Be it resolved that the Green Party of Canada work to amend The Constitution Act, otherwise known as the Canadian Constitution, so that Metropolitan areas of 100,000 or more, defined as Census Metropolitan Areas, CMAs, by Statistics Canada, be officially recognized as a third tier of government within the Canadian constitution.
Be it further resolved that these Metropolitan areas be granted limited powers of direct taxation within Municipal boundaries to raise money for the City, the borrowing of money for the sole credit of the Municipality, land use zoning, issuance of bonds, pending agreement with the Province.
Be it further resolved that item 8 in section 92 of the Constitution Act regarding the Provinces power of “Municipal Institution” be changed to read “Municipal Institution of under 100,000 people”.
Party Commentary
This motion, in calling for the constitutional recognition of large metropolitan centres within Canada, would create new policy. Also, this motion could be viewed as unrealistic in its call for amendments to Canada's constitution.