FCM: Update Letter

Dear Members,

I want to share with you my reflections on some key issues affecting municipalities as we await the 2014 budget this Tuesday, February 11.

I have observed over my time in public office that progress on municipal issues tends to come in small increments over many years, and no single federal budget has all the answers. However, budget day is an important milestone because it gives a snapshot of the immediate alignment between our priorities and those of the federal government.

We saw progress on infrastructure financing in the 2013 budget as a result of our long-term infrastructure program campaign, including the unprecedented indexing of the Gas Tax Fund (GTF) and a commitment by the government to work with us on the new Building Canada Fund. And that success was built upon many past achievements such as the 2008 decision to make the GTF permanent. However, we have yet to see the details of the new Building Canada Fund and will continue to press the federal government to deliver on its commitments.

Rail safety tragically came to the fore last summer as a result of the accident in Lac-Mégantic and FCM quickly began working with the rail sector and Transport Canada on decisions about the transport of dangerous goods. Our ability to influence rail safety decisions arises from FCM’s many years of productive engagement with rail stakeholders, resulting in noteworthy progress around proximity issues.

More recently, our national housing campaign has served notice that municipalities bear a tremendous burden from the imbalances in Canada’s housing system and cannot afford new responsibilities for affordable housing. The federal government is now well-aware of our demands for a long-term housing plan and we look forward to ongoing discussions on this fundamental issue.

Like all of you, I am eager to learn what the 2014 federal budget will say about our issues. As always, FCM’s staff of experts will be in the lockup to analyze the budget’s implications for municipalities.

Sincerely,

Claude Dauphin
President