● Mayor Lovatt has submitted a formal pre-budget request to Ontario Finance Minister Peter Bethlenfalvy laying out Town priorities in need of greater Provincial support.

● He warned of a growing infrastructure gap, exacerbated by rising costs and a lack of sustainable funding for small but fast-growing towns like Stouffville.

● Lovatt noted the potential for substantial property tax increases should additional Provincial funding not be provided.

● The Mayor also took aim at the Province’s decision to strike out employment land activation within Stouffville’s 404 corridor Greenbelt lands.

● With over 90 percent of Stouffville’s tax revenue coming from residential sources, Lovatt called for revenue-sharing models to ease the burden on property taxpayers.

● He also requested expanded provincial support for $10-a-day daycare, fire and emergency services, municipal law enforcement, and Town IT upgrades.

● Bethlenfalvy is expected to table Ontario’s 2025 budget on May 15.

Stouffville Mayor Iain Lovatt is urging the Provincial government to ensure small, fast-growing municipalities like his are not overlooked as the 2025 Ontario budget nears completion. Expected to be tabled next week, the budget will outline the government’s spending priorities and fiscal commitments for the year ahead.

In an April 14 submission addressed to Finance Minister Peter Bethlenfalvy, Lovatt outlined a series of funding concerns and policy frustrations he says are hampering Whitchurch-Stouffville’s ability to meet the needs of its residents—particularly as the Town absorbs a growing population without corresponding fiscal tools.

Lovatt’s remarks were originally prepared for a pre-budget consultation meeting in January, which was ultimately cancelled.

“One of the most pressing issues we face is the growing infrastructure gap, exacerbated by inflation and cost increases,” Lovatt said at the top of his letter. “The current funding sources are insufficient to meet the needs of our town, necessitating a potential 17% tax increase, an untenable burden for our residents.”

He described mounting infrastructure pressures and pointed to the recent rejection of a $3-million Provincial funding application under the Housing-Enabling Core Servicing stream. Lovatt said the funding would have supported critical upgrades to water and wastewater infrastructure along Main Street, unlocking more than 2,000 new housing units in the downtown area.

He also criticized what he views as a funding imbalance that favours large urban centres with substantial financial reserves, while towns like Stouffville—despite rapid growth—are left under-resourced.

The Mayor took particular issue with the Province’s removal of an employment lands policy from the updated York Region Official Plan, approved in 2021. The change would have opened a portion of the Highway 404 corridor’s Greenbelt lands to industrial and commercial development.

Lovatt said Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing Staff struck the policy “without explanation.” He estimates the update could have delivered $64 million in new commercial tax revenue. With roughly 88 percent of Stouffville’s property assessment tied to residential uses, and more than 90 percent of tax revenue coming from homeowners, Lovatt said the Town’s tax base remains consequentially unbalanced.

Echoing a growing movement across Ontario municipalities, Lovatt emphasized the need for new revenue-sharing models. He referenced a motion by Aurora Mayor Tom Mrakas, which has been endorsed by more than 100 towns and cities, requesting one percent of the Province’s land transfer tax revenue be shared with local governments.

“As…the Province won’t allow us to be in control of our own financial future, we have no other choice but to request the exploration of new revenue-sharing options,” Lovatt stated. “This would provide much-needed financial relief and allow us to better serve our community.”

Lovatt also called on the Province to further its investments in affordable childcare, underscoring the need for additional support under Ontario’s $10-a-day daycare program. In Stouffville, he said, many families face significant barriers to securing accessible, cost-effective childcare, forcing difficult trade-offs between work and caregiving.

“Enhanced funding would alleviate financial pressures on parents, allowing them to participate more fully in the workforce and contribute to the local economy,” he explained. “It would also ensure that children receive quality care and education during their formative years, laying a strong foundation for their future success.”

He also stressed the need for greater funding for fire and emergency services “to ensure the safety and security” of the community. Equipment costs have surged, and Lovatt noted that the price of fire trucks has doubled in the last five years while the costs of building new stations have tripled over the past decade.

“We also need additional resources for municipal law enforcement to address issues such as unlicensed event venues, fill, and animal control matters,” he added. “Moreover, the ability to issue greater fines under the Provincial Offences Act would enhance our enforcement capabilities and ensure the timely resolution of issues.”

The Mayor’s submission presses for Provincial help in upgrading aging IT systems, enhancing cyber-security, and modernizing outdated legislation such as the Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Acts.

Bethlenfalvy did not respond to Lovatt’s letter and is expected to table the budget on May 15.

“The Town of Stouffville is committed to providing high-quality services and infrastructure to our residents,” Lovatt concluded. “However, we cannot do this alone. We need the support of the Provincial government to address the challenges we face and to build a sustainable and prosperous future for our community.”

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