WHEREAS numerous local governments throughout British Columbia are experiencing significant issues and challenges in relation to local government facilities, in terms of aging infrastructure and inadequate space and functionality; AND WHEREAS many, if not all, major infrastructure grant programs do not contain significant funding components for the extensive upgrading, renovation, reconstruction and new construction of essential local government facilities: THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that Union of British Columbia Municipalities lobby the Province and the federal government for the addition of significant funding components in the infrastructure grant programs to assist local governments with major facilities projects such as municipal halls, fire halls, public safety buildings and public works yards.
Ministry of Community, Sport Cultural Development In recent years, most federal-provincial funding programs available to local governments have included categories that would consider vertical infrastructure such as recreation facilities, municipal halls, fire halls and other local government owned and operated buildings eligible for funding. However, the Province recognizes that program priorities in recent years have focused on critical infrastructure, such as water, sewer, drainage and transportation infrastructure, as national and regional studies have shown that this infrastructure is at a higher risk. In addition, most, if not all federal- provincial programs, as well as provincial only programs have considered energy efficiency, reduction in green house gas emissions and the adoption of best management practices as a priority issue to be integrated with all projects. While federal and provincial priorities are a significant part of the funding programs, programs also consider local government priorities, and therefore, it is important for local governments to clearly identify their local priorities, while incorporating federal and provincial priorities within their projects. The Province is committed to continue to work with UBCM and local governments in order to develop funding programs that address the priorities of all parties federal, provincial, and local government and ensure that available funding for local government infrastructure is utilized in the most efficient and effective manner.
Ministry of Finance As the global economy continues its fragile recovery from the worst recession since the Second World War, our Government is focused squarely on the economy and jobs. Canada was better prepared for and has better responded to the recent economic turmoil, compared to our peers. Prior to the onset of the global recession, we introduced significant personal and business tax relief, paid down nearly 40 billion in debt, made key investments to improve the countrys infrastructure, and much more. We built on our strong economic record with the introduction of a timely and effective response to the global recession, Canadas Economic Action Plan. The Plan was a 62-billion shot in the arm when our country needed it the most. Taxes were lowered; retraining was expanded for the unemployed; more than 23,000 job-creating infrastructure projects were launched; major investments were made in science and technology; vital support was extended to struggling sectors of the economy; extraordinary steps were taken to improve access to financing; and much more. Canadas Economic Action Plan worked, as Canada has weathered the global economic storm better than most in the industrialized world. The Canadian economy has seen five consecutive quarters of growth, more than 400,000 new jobs have been created in the last year and a half, and our financial system has been ranked the soundest in the world for the third straight year. Additionally, both the International Monetary Fund and the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development continue to project that Canada will have the strongest average growth of the G-7 in the years ahead. Going forward,d the Government will stay on this course and fully implement the initial phase of the Plan. While Canada is in a relatively strong position compared to our peers, theres more to do. As the economy continues to stabilize, we enter into the phase of Canadas Economic Action Plan. We are committed to helping secure our economic recovery by ensuring our economic polices reflect the values and principles of hardworking Canadians, such as living within our means, reducing waste and duplication, and keeping taxes low to help create job and sustain growth. We invested a lot of money to stimulate the economy and help create jobs during the worst of the recession when we needed it most. But running deficits cannot become a permanent solution to a temporary problem. We must balance the budget to secure our recovery, and our Government is determined to see that happen. That means staying steadfast in our plan to return to balanced budgets in the medium term by ending extraordinary stimulus spending as the economy recovers; limiting new government spending; restraining spending through targeted measures; and continuing comprehensive reviews of spending to eliminate waste and inefficiencies. As we prepare the upcoming federal budget, we have been clear that the Government will not make significant new spending commitments that would trigger bigger deficits and higher taxes. We cannot afford to risk the economic recovery and the future of our children and grandchildren by running deficits over the longer term.
Federation of Canadian Municipalities Please note that this resolution is a Category D resolution which means it is in accordance with existing FCM policy and as such is received for information only. As a result of FCMs ongoing dialogue with the Federal Government, the stimulus deadline has been extended and flexibility has been promised on a case by case basis. Please visit the FCM website and you will find the Policy Statement on Municipal Infrastructure Transportation Policy - FCMs position encourages flexibility and the extension and ongoing funding for infrastructure. The FCM News of January 17 also contains an update on infrastructure. http:www.fcm.caCMFilesMITPolicyStatement20101KDG-762010-552.pdf FCM News - Week of January 17, 2011 Future of Canadas Infrastructure Chair of the National Infrastructure Summit and Mayor of Regina, Pat Fiacco, hosted a press conference in Ottawa last week, to discuss Canadas first National Infrastructure Summit January 26-28, 2011, Regina, Saskatchewan. Mayor Fiacco also spoke about the outlook for Canadas infrastructure in the lead-up to the 2011 federal budget. He underscored the need for a long-term infrastructure plan and highlighted the Summit as an important first step in the planning process. Federal Budget 2011 - Municipal Call to Action The federal government is holding pre-budget consultations across the country. This is a great opportunity to protect federal investments in our communities and ensure Ottawa is ready to build on them in the future. In Budget 2011, FCM is calling on the federal government to protect municipalities from budget cuts and downloading, and to start planning future federal infrastructure investments. FCM believes a plan is needed to meet Canadas growing infrastructure challenges over the long term. Federal funding will be very tight as the government balances its budget deficit during the next few years. The federal government must work with municipalities during these lean years, so it is ready to continue investing when todays Building Canada infrastructure plan expires in 2014.