SUMA: Bear Pit Question - Infrastructure

Below is my question to Cabinet during the Bear Pit Session at SUMA. Participants are given 90 seconds to ask their question at which time the microphone will be turned off. There is no opportunity for follow up.

·         I would like to thank Minister Boyd, our MLA, Minister Reiter of Government Relations, and Minister Cheveldayoff of Environment for their assistance during our landfill fire.

·         I highly recommend the ‘hot shots’ that helped us make the right plan and implement the plan to douse the fire.

·         We have an infrastructure deficit of ~$40 million and we are breaking it down to manageable bits.

·         To manage our growth and infrastructure deficit we have completed or are nearing the completion of 10 plans: a new official community plan & zoning bylaw, a traffic plan, asset management plan, strategic plan, needs and operational plan for a new community centre, an organizational effectiveness plan,  culture plan, communications plan, long term financial plan, and infrastructure capacity plan. We have been busy.

·         When I look at our infrastructure bill: a new landfill, enlarging our water treatment plant, a larger sewage lagoon, new lift stations, and a larger fire hall, I wonder: where are we going to get the money?

·         We are not alone with these decisions and financial pressures.

·         BCF is a big number but not enough. $10 billion is significant by itself but when broken down equally to all municipalities in Canada it is about $1.5 million per community, helpful but not enough. That was before $600 million was given to Toronto and the Federal Government has reduced disbursements this year.

·         The province has no known sustainable infrastructure funding program for municipalities.

·         Where is the money coming from and how will you be distributing it?

·         What is the opportunity cost for not addressing this now?