Update on Building Canada Fund (BCF) Program Design

We are still waiting to hear from the Federal Government regarding the BCF. This fund provides money to municipalities for infrastructure development and replacement. The Town needs this information for both budgeting and planning purposes. What follows is a letter from the President of FCM, Claude Dauphin.

With the 2014 construction season fast approaching, I want to update you on discussions I and others at FCM have been having with the government on the design of the new Building Canada Fund. FCM staff and executive members have been working hard on this issue in conversations with the Prime Minister’s Office, and the offices of Ministers Flaherty and Lebel. Also, I and your FCM Executive met with Minister Flaherty last week to push for more clarification on the government’s progress on program design and intentions for the BCF. We were encouraged by some of Minister Flaherty’s comments, but BCF program details remain unknown. Time is running out for the government to negotiate funding agreements with each province and territory before the 2014 construction season begins. At this stage, we anticipate that the government will announce its intentions for the new BCF before the federal budget is tabled on February 11. We continue to pressure the government to respect our six principles for BCF program design. I have written to Minister Lebel to reiterate our principles, emphasizing that a significant majority of new BCF funding should be allocated to municipalities, asking for recognition of the unique needs of rural, remote and northern communities through the continuity of the Communities Component, and underscoring the need to fund capacity building in asset management. I, your executive, and FCM staff will continue to fervently advocate for our principles for the BCF. Your cities and communities need and deserve a new BCF program that will help us repair and replace critical infrastructure now, and for the future. We will update you further on this issue as information becomes available. Sincerely, Claude Dauphin President