Toronto, ON: The Canadian Taxpayers Federation is calling on the Ford government to reverse course and continue on with the province’s audits of municipal finances in six GTA cities. Municipal Affairs Minister Paul Calandra announced today he’s canceling the audits. 

“City politicians across the province are always asking for more taxpayer cash without having to prove that money already given to municipalities is well spent,” said CTF Ontario Director Jay Goldberg. “It is a huge mistake for the Ford government to cancel its audits of six GTA cities when politicians across the region continue to demand more provincial tax dollars.”

The Ford government hired Ernst and Young to probe the finances of several GTA cities, including Toronto, Newmarket, Peel Region, Mississauga, Caledon and Brampton, earlier this year. Those studies have yet to be completed. Taxpayers will be on the hook for the cost of the studies without benefiting from the results.

“There is no good reason for the province to cancel these important city audits,” Goldberg said. “If cities are spending taxpayers’ money well, they should have nothing to hide. The fact that these audits are being scrapped should deeply concern every Ontario taxpayer.”