Statement by FCM President following today’s Speech from the Throne (16/10/2013)

OTTAWA - The following statement was released by Claude Dauphin, President of the Federation of Canadian Municipalities, following delivery of the 2013 Speech from the Throne:
"Today's Speech from the Throne shows how far the partnership between federal and local governments has come in recent years, and where we must work together to expand that partnership in the future.

FCM applauds the federal government's response to the tragedy in Lac Mégantic and to the rail safety recommendations that emerged from it. The government's commitment to increase the safety of the transportation of dangerous goods, and to require shippers and railways to carry additional insurance, directly respond to calls from FCM's national rail safety working group. We look forward to continuing to work with Transport Minister Lisa Raitt to swiftly turn today's commitments into action.

One issue requiring urgent collaboration is the high-cost of housing, Canadians' most pressing financial challenge.  We're pleased that the government committed again today to build on the successful Housing First approach and its renewed homelessness strategy to help vulnerable Canadians meet their housing needs.  If it hopes to create jobs and help cash-strapped families, then the government must contribute further solutions for Canadians facing record-high housing costs.
For years the cornerstone of the federal-municipal partnership has been infrastructure, and we were encouraged today to hear the federal government restate its commitment to the ground-breaking investments announced in Budget 2013, and to developing a National Disaster Mitigation Plan.
As the federal government moves forward, our communities must be at the table. Local governments, who own 63% of Canada's infrastructure and  invest $15 billion per year in roads, bridges, public transit, and other areas, are ready to work with the federal government to get effective and efficient new programs up and running, so projects can be approved, and construction work can begin, by spring 2014."