FCM Keynote Speaker: Tom Mulcair, Leader of the NDP

The keynote speaker this morning was Tom Mulcair, the Leader of the Opposition. Mr. Mulcair is a very good speaker and I would rate him as a better speaker than Trudeau despite Trudeau’s charisma. Further, Mr. Mulcair was very comfortable with the questions posed and his responses. He has a much better handle than Trudeau on some the issues discussed today. 

Crowd Listening to Mulcair

Here are some of Mr. Mulcair’s thoughts he shared with us.

·         NDP will be a better partner working with municipalities

·         Called for a new relationship between the Federal Government and Municipal Governments.

·         Believes the New BCF has been botched because it is confusing and difficult to get money out the door (I would agree)

·         There is too much competition for infrastructure money (Again I would agree)

·         Northern communities have an infrastructure deficit of $400 million dollars (the rest of Canada’s deficit is $186.6 Billion according to the Cement Association

·         Declared that the NDP practice what they preach

·         Municipalities need long-term predictability

·         Stated Canada is only country without a transit plan

·         NDP will provide more funds for affordable housing

·         Challenges can be overcome when we work together constructively