Infrastructure Funding Mirage

Municipalities across Canada are facing an assortment of infrastructure challenges. Some that we are facing include:

• infrastructure deficit of approximately $40 million;
• growth demands for facilities such as, this list is not complete but some highlights:
• lift stations,
• increased water plant capacity,
• increased sewage lagoon capacity or moved to another site,
• new solid waste location,
• town square, and
• West Central Community Centre (Phase 2).

After some sober reflection on the proposed new Build Canada Fund (BCF) there are some very serious yellow flags. It appears that:

• requests will take longer to process,
• increased restrictions on projects, and
• increase municipal funding in projects.

Also, for this year there is only approximately $270 million available this year with more monies available in later years. Frankly, I don't see how the new BCF is helpful. Sure the money is helpful but:

• Where is the money for the growth challenges we are facing today? 
• How long can we skimp along slowly repairing our infrastructure deficit? 
• Consider how much it may cost to repair the sprinkler system in the Events Centre.
• How are we to pay more for our increased share of projects when our financial resources are so limited?

Its not particularly helpful that the province's approach at this time is to do what the federal government is doing; the province is not as helpful as they could be.

The money is out there, apparently, like water in a desert; a mirage.