Liberal Leader Dalton McGuinty is demanding the federal government turn over one cent of the GST to municipalities.
In a letter to Prime Minister Stephen Harper, Mr. McGuinty says he explained that cities are facing ‘tremendous pressures' and are being forced to raise property taxes to get by.
Despite criticism he's not acting quickly enough, Mr. McGuinty says he's doing all he can to upload operating costs for provincial services that were shifted onto cities by Ontario's previous Conservative government.
He says turning over one cent of the GST — something Toronto Mayor David Miller began calling for in February — would give Ontario cities an extra $1.9-billion.
Earlier in the day, Mr. McGuinty had put his focus on child health, saying he'll make schools healthier if re-elected by banning trans fats in an effort to combat childhood obesity.
In the last four years, the Liberals took steps to make schools healthier by banning junk food and requiring 20 minutes of daily physical activity.
Mr. McGuinty says he will build on that strategy by ensuring all school menus conform to the Canada Food Guide.
The Liberals also plan to expand high school intramural sports.
Mr. McGuinty says he will further introduce the Ontario Fitness Challenge to improve the fitness and co-ordination of children in Grades 1-6.
Physical inactivity is said to cost Ontario's health care system about $1.8-billion a year.
