FCM Policy Session: Municipal Finance and Intergovernmental Arrangements

·         Primary issue is lack of data regarding how municipalities are doing

     ·         StatsCan no longer collates data but is currently resuming the work

     ·         Continually working to have good data available for municipalities

·         Two priorities are:

     ·         Refresh the Municipal Fiscal Storyline

     ·         Federal Municipal partnerships on international trade and investment attraction

·         BCF is not doing what it is supposed to be doing; the Federal Government must do a better job consulting on this file

·         FCM is working to ensure that procurement is protect in international trade agreements

Municipal Finance and Intergovernmental Arrangements Policy Forum

Member Feedback

·         Small communities, less than 5,000 need more opportunities for funding

·         Clarify funding for broadband

·         Establish a list of priorities for the Federal Government

·         Current funding for infrastructure is insufficient

·         With increased reporting to the Federal Government the Federal Government should provide funding to increase local capacity

·         Planning should consider Corporate Planning Cycle

·         The need for more data to hold a true debate

·         What about more monies for needed infrastructure such as water treatment plants (a community in Manitoba can’t afford a new water treatment plant and the Manitoba share of the BCF is less than the one water treatment plant)

·         Is there a way to incorporate needed infrastructure not yet built into infrastructure deficit? (not really because it is not tangible and the need to distinguish between aspirational and need)