Honoured to serve Chatham-Kent as Councillor for Ward 6; member of Ontario Caucus of the Federation of Canadian Municipalities and Communications Specialist.
Next week I’m excited to be back with my Federation of Canadian Municipalities colleagues for a round of board meetings. One of our top items for discussion will be the need for a new municipal growth framework.
Why?
Whether you live in Chatham-Kent, or anywhere in Canada, you know we need more housing. We need more supports for vulnerable communities. We need critical infrastructure that can adapt to climate change and also support growth.
If you have watched any municipal budget discussion, you know we are facing massive budget pressures. Especially when it comes to aging infrastructure. And we need the other levels of government to come to the table to discuss a modern and updated approach on how to fund this infrastructure. It’s not just about bricks and mortar, pipes and pavement. It’s about ensuring a quality of life all of us deserve.
#municipalities#cdnpoli#municipal#municipalgrowthframework#collaboration#infrastructurefinance#infrastructure#FCMUpdateRequired#cdnmuni
Council conversations, I wanted to tell you quickly today about some of the work that the Federation of Canadian Municipalities is doing, which I am a member of representing Chatham Kent, I think our first member of FCM was in over 25 years. So I'm really honored to be part of that representing our municipality on the national stage, getting the name of Chatham Kent with well known with our colleagues from across Canada. So and we're going to be meeting our board next week. So I'm really excited to be Gathering together with my FCM colleagues very soon, but one of the biggest issues that we face as municipalities and why this is important that Chatham Kent, you may ask is if you watch any of our council meetings, if you read any of the news articles, if you probably talk to any Councillor in any ward in Chatham-Kent, you know that infrastructure is a critical need in our community. And as we grow in Chatham-Kent and you probably have seen especially in Chatham there are new subdivisions. Going up and what happens when you build a new subdivision? Well, you need pipes, you need pavement, you need street lights, you need parks, You need these services, right? And then of course, expanding on that, you need schools and libraries and recreation and different amenities along those lines, so. We need to have the services and the infrastructure that can allow for that growth in a reasonable way. And there is a critical, critical need to invest in this infrastructure to support new housing because we also know that we need more housing. And again, Chatham-Kent is not unique on that, but it's really, really important here as it is across the country, and this is water and wastewater, public transit, local roads and climate change adaptation measures. This is crucial to support the quality of life. For all of our families today and for generations to come. And so one of the messages are going to be working on next week as we gather as our FCM board. But moving forward, is to ask the federal government to step up in Budget 2024 and solidify its commitment to new housing by investing and supporting infrastructure. Because we know we need new housing, but we can't build them without that infrastructure in place and right now, unfortunately. the new federal infrastructure plan is at a standstill and municipalities like ours are genuinely concerned that the the Canada Community Building Fund, the CCBF, which is sort of informally known as the gas tax, is the only federal infrastructure program that municipalities can really rely on to rehabilitate existing infrastructure and develop new assets to accommodate growth. Now if you've been in Chatham, you know, for example, William St. South was under construction for quite a few months to rehabilitate existing infrastructure. We're also working on a new water plant in Wallaceburg and Wheatley. So we have, we have storm wastewater issues in Tilbury. I could you know in Chatham-Kent as a municipality we are facing these infrastructure issues. So in case you're wondering why is she talking about this and how does this affect me in Chatham-Kent this is how. And the more folks we have in Chatham-Kent living and working here, the more taxpayers. We have to help spread the load a little a little further afield. So we are really currently concerned at FCM about. The status of the gas tax, the CCBF and how Canadian, how Canada is growing municipalities of which Chatham-Kent is one Can count on a flexible but predictable fund at the end of this renegotiation process. And if you can believe it, the current infrastructure gap is exacerbated by the fact that funding models for municipalities have not changed since. Wait for it. 1867, not 1967, which would be, you know, a long time as it is 1867. And what do you think in our lives have changed since 1867? Well, pretty much everything. So these outdated financial models obviously cannot fund the needs of our communities today or in the future. So we are really keen as FCM, representing almost every municipality in Canada from coast to coast to coast. We need to collaborate with other levels of government. And try and face these historic challenges together and to modernize this financial relationship to protect this quality of life for our citizens. So just to wrap up, I will be reporting on this work that we're doing next week in the coming days. But we are calling for through the Federation of Canadian Municipalities, a new municipal growth framework that empowers local governments with the revenue tools that grow with our population and with our economy. And that is what we need right now, affordable housing. Support for the most vulnerable. Core infrastructure that can support generations of residents and reliable and efficient transit that we can rely into the future. And the first step to do that is for the federal government to convene the provinces, territories and municipalities and municipalities to negotiate a municipal growth framework that results in a reasonable and responsible agreement between all three levels of government to ensure Canadas, and by extension here in Chatham, Kent are. Long term growth. So thanks for listening. I'd love to answer any questions you might have about this. This is really important work and sets our all of our communities up for success, what we critically need to grow together. Thanks for listening. Cheers.
The Government of Canada launched the new Canada Public Transit Fund to provide stable funding for municipalities, transit authorities and other groups, equipping them with resources to effectively plan and implement key public transit projects across Canada. Federal investments in public transit will be delivered through:
1) Metro-Region Agreements:
Supporting metropolitan regions’ future transit projects and the expansion or improvement of large urban transit systems that many Canadians depend on every day.
2) Baseline Funding:
Offering predictable, long-term funding to communities to enhance and maintain existing transit systems, with a focus on expansions and upgrades in public transit and active transportation.
3) Targeted Funding:
Providing flexible, targeted funding for specific projects, communities and regions.
Investing in public transit leads to cleaner, more affordable transportation options in communities across Canada.
Learn more: https://lnkd.in/eF8F_HdTCanadian Urban Transit Association (CUTA)Federation of Canadian MunicipalitiesCanadian Urban Institute (CUI)
*Co-Operation Critical to Solve Worsening Housing Crisis*
Many of the housing policies are still an uncoordinated mess, and there remain serious practical problems. Delays in approvals and infrastructure availability are still affecting projects proceeding.
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https://bit.ly/48JZOMA
What do you think Canada can do to help its housing crisis?
Cape Town Building a City of Hope!
The Cape Town Budget Speech 2024 prioritises creating a brighter future for all residents. Here's a glimpse of what's in store:
Jobs, Jobs, Jobs: A record-breaking R12.1bn infrastructure investment is expected to create around 130,000 construction jobs, boosting the city's economy.
Dignity for All: 75% of the infrastructure budget is dedicated to projects in lower-income areas, ensuring improved sanitation, reliable public transport, and more dignified living conditions.
Affordability Matters: The budget offers relief for residents, including reduced electricity costs for larger families, significant property rate rebates, and lower water/sanitation fees.
Safety First: Investments in cutting-edge technology and training for Metro Police aim to keep Cape Town streets safer for everyone.
Ending Load-Shedding: The city continues its mission to protect residents from load-shedding with innovative energy security plans.
Read the full speech for a deeper dive into these exciting initiatives!
➡️ https://bit.ly/3TzoVLO#SpearREITLimited#Spear#CapeTownBudget2024#HopeForTheFuture
One in four people in Victoria live in regional areas but we don't get a 25% portion of the Federal Budget for Victoria.
Regional Cities Victoria are calling on the Federal government to provide a fair share of the Commonwealth Budget.
Regional Cities Chair and Greater Shepparton Mayor, Cr Shane Sali has said that without new infrastructure our regions risk falling behind. "We wont be able to provide adequate services to current residents and future generations. In this Commonwealth Budget regional Victoria deserves considered investment to underpin long-term economic prosperity and improve liveability in the regions.
"We need a guarantee that 25 per cent of all Commonwealth infrastructure funding allocated to Victoria is spent on initiatives and projects outside Melbourne.
To read the full story click https://buff.ly/3TGB2I1
Over the years we have seen that the provincial funding for community infrastructure has not kept pace with Alberta’s population growth, nor changes in inflation.
In 2011, the Government of Alberta was investing $420 per Albertan into municipal infrastructure programs but that has trended downwards over the years and will only be $186 per capita in 2024.
The Government of Alberta has ignored ABmunis' call for LGFF Capital to start at $1.75 billion. Instead, it will start at $722 million, which continues the trend where provincial investments in community infrastructure are well below historical levels.
Learn more about the Government of Alberta's 2024 budget here: https://lnkd.in/gFfhHsB7#ABmunis#ABpoli#ABleg
Over the years we have seen that the provincial funding for community infrastructure has not kept pace with Alberta’s population growth, nor changes in inflation.
In 2011, the Government of Alberta was investing $420 per Albertan into municipal infrastructure programs but that has trended downwards over the years and will only be $186 per capita in 2024.
The Government of Alberta has ignored ABmunis' call for LGFF Capital to start at $1.75 billion. Instead, it will start at $722 million, which continues the trend where provincial investments in community infrastructure are well below historical levels.
Learn more about the Government of Alberta's 2024 budget here: https://lnkd.in/gFfhHsB7#ABmunis#ABpoli#ABleg
Read FCM's reaction to the Fall Economic Statement from the Government of Canada. https://lnkd.in/ezHpfAEK
FCM acknowledges the federal investments to support new housing construction announced in today’s Fall Economic Statement, but the reality is that we cannot rapidly scale up new housing construction without also investing in the municipal infrastructure that supports it. In May 2023, the federal government made a commitment to deliver a landmark investment in infrastructure across this country this fall.
We are concerned that the Fall Economic Statement does not reflect the scale of infrastructure investment required to meet the national housing supply gap, and FCM will be looking to the 2024 federal budget for a comprehensive, ambitious investment in community infrastructure that matches the record-breaking population growth currently underway in Canada. With winter approaching, we are also calling for urgent action on the homelessness crisis impacting communities across the country.
🏘️ In April, Ottawa announced the $6-billion Canada Housing Infrastructure Fund to help address the country’s housing affordability crisis. Before dispersing the funds, the government requires provinces and municipalities to agree to specific conditions, such as allowing more diverse housing types to be built. For provinces that prefer to maintain a tight grip over land use planning, these conditions could become points of contention in future negotiations.
💬 Speaking with Lexpert, Ted Betts expressed optimism that the funding for house infrastructure will materialize and various levels of the government will come to agreements with Ottawa.
Read more ➡️ https://gowlg.co/3UTcE5p#Infrastructure#CanadaHousing#HousingFund
Road Safety Advocate and Municipal Councillor
6moKeep up the great work Alysson and all your FCM colleagues.