Ontario’s NDP Leader Andrea Horwath accused the McGuinty government of pushing the city of Hamilton into deep deficit by “shirking” its obligation to pay the cost of provincial programs like social services.

On the heels of denying disaster relief assistance for Hamilton and its 7000 household flood victims, the McGuinty government has delivered another devastating blow to Hamilton’s municipal budget, Horwath said.

“Bad enough that the McGuinty government refused Hamilton much-needed disaster relief funding to repair massive flood damage,” Horwath said. “With social assistance costs -- again we see the needs of Hamilton being swept aside by the Liberals at Queen’s Park.”

Horwath appealed to municipal affairs minister Jim Watson to assist Hamilton and other Ontario municipalities facing a crush of new social service costs due to the economic downturn.

Hamilton had anticipated a government contribution of $16.5 million for the social services Hamilton delivers “in good faith on the province’s behalf”.

If the McGuinty government continues to back away from its funding role, Hamilton will be looking at a $31.5 million deficit next year, more than double the $15 million shortfall that was originally estimated. That means service cuts, new or higher user fees and property tax increases that Hamiltonians simply cannot afford, Horwath said.

“This minister knows very well the pressure on the operating budgets of every single municipality in this province, from Hamilton to Ottawa to everywhere else. The reality is they’re picking up the costs of this government’s responsibilities,” Horwath said when raising the matter during Question Period today.