York Region says Ontario underfunds its community services by $450 million annually

While the Ontario government says it has made "record" investments in the region, the report says York's funding shortfall is is around $450 million annually, or $369 per resident. The region and regional non-profits commissioned research firm Blueprint ADE to conduct the report.

Decreased funding put pressure on "already stretched municipal finances," the report said. Local residents are paying $125 million more in property taxes to help municipalities offset the gap in services.

A lack of funding affects nearly everyone in the community from young families to people experiencing homelessness. In particular there is an acute shortage of affordable housing, long-term care and childcare services in the region. "The province is funding using funding formulas that were built for the 1970s, and it's just not the 1970s anymore in York Region".

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