Who’s Picking Up the Tab? investigates the scale and scope of downloading onto local governments from federal and provincial governments, using B.C. as a case study. Surveys of local leaders and senior staff, a fresh analysis of statistical and financial data and case studies of key policy areas provide a clear picture of responsibilities and costs transferred without new resources to support them.
In spite of limited means, local governments are picking up more and more services and more and more of the tab. In total, 83.6 per cent of the locally elected leaders surveyed for Who’s Picking Up the Tab said federal and provincial downloading of costs onto local governments is a major problem for their community.
In the Media
- “Duelling B.C. reports offer vastly different takes on municipal spending,” The Globe and Mail, September 18, 2014.
- “How Downloaded Costs Are Steamrolling Local Governments,” The Tyee, September 24, 2014.
- “Municipalities struggle to cover the costs of federal and provincial cutbacks,” Rabble, September 26, 2014
- “Local governments face major financial strain as federal/provincial funding drops,” Radio Canada International, September 18, 2014. (interview with Charley Beresford)