The need for federal infrastructure funding was a high priority item at this year’s Federation of Canadian Municipalities in Edmonton from June 5 to 8.
“It was very interesting this year because of federal election coming up,” says Mayor Terry Rysz, noting the NDP, Green Party and Liberal leaders and a Conservative Party rep made presentations to the gathering of municipal officials from across Canada.
“In Canada, our infrastructure is aging and in Sicamous replacing Bruhn Bridge and four-laning the Trans-Canada Highway are important. That’s the one that concerns us the most,” he says. “The point I want to make is the importance of FCM that recognizes all the municipalities in Canada and the common ground we have.”
In 2012-13 effective consultation with Canadian municipalities resulted in ground-breaking federal infrastructure investments, including a commitment to the new 10-year, $14 billion Canada Building Fund, a two per cent federal gas tax transfer and a pledge to work with FCM to create and roll out a detailed plan.
But meaningful discussion did not follow and last year FCM president Claude Dauphin issued a statement on the lack of consultation and discussion.
“Municipalities own the vast majority of Canada’s roads, water systems, public transit and other core infrastructure, but to date, they have received no clear indication that a fair share of the new BCF will be invested in municipal projects,” Dauphin said. “The new BCF’s funding rules further reduce local flexibility by eliminating core infrastructure categories from eligibility such as local roads.”
Rysz said FCM members want to see a debate on all municipal concerns prior to the election, a request that was approved by Thomas Mulcair, Justin Trudeau and Elizabeth May.
Rysz also indicated the utmost importance of attending conferences such as FCM, not just to delegates, but to the community at large.
“Residents of our communities always question when we go to conference, but there’s strength in numbers,” he said, noting the importance of brainstorming with other municipalities. “A single voice doesn’t have the same strength.”