WHEREAS the cost of municipal insurance across Ontario continues to increase;
AND WHEREAS municipal Joint and Several Liability Insurance asks ratepayers in
their respective communities to carry the financial burden of a damage award when a municipality is found at minimum fault;
AND WHEREAS Espanola can expect up to a 10% increase in general liability insurance premiums in 2025, depending on market conditions, and these increases are a critical budget consideration this year;
AND WHEREAS These increases are unsustainable, especially for smaller communities;
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Province of Ontario immediately adopt the Association of Municipalities of Ontario’s (AMO’s) seven key recommendations as outlined in their 2019 report: Towards a Reasonable Balance: Addressing growing municipal liability and insurance costs;
AND FURTHER THAT a copy of this motion be sent to the Hon. Doug Ford, Premier of Ontario; the Hon. Peter Bethlenfalvy, Minister of Finance; Hon. Doug Downey, Ontario Attorney General; MPP Michael Mantha; to the Association of Municipalities of Ontario, and to all Ontario municipalities.