Last week at my March FCM meeting one of the items we discussed was we could use to get the Municipal message across as a Federal election is lookign more and more imminent.
In 2007 FCM released the report on the Infrastructure Deficit, at that time it was estimated to be 123 BILLION dollars. SInce then during the global meltdown we saw billions spent on Municipal projects. It is felt by many experts that the money spent has not even diminished the amount, but with age and inflation it has actually increaased. This deficit is for water, waste water, roads and bridges in every corner of Canada.
Also we discussed the need for stable long term funding and programs that will allow us to continue to rebuild and build Canada.
It is easy as governments cut deficits to see it impact those who are the quietest but also the most vulnerable. Deficit reductions should not impact those who still need assistance as we recover.
In the late summer AMO will release a platform for Ontario Municipalities as the fall Provincial election gets closer.
Both these organisations work hard to make sure that we let Ottawa and Queens Park know that Municipalities still need asssitance.
No one wants to see us return to the download days of the 90's that our Towns and Cities have nto recovered from.
The GTA Weat Transportation Study has just released its preferred option, which is building a "400 class" expressway across Halton Hills just South of Georgetown, right through prime farmland. The fatal flaw of the transportation planning approach used by the consutants is that its only goal is moving traffic efficiently, and zero importance is attached to preserving farmland or preserving the integrity of a community. As one of the Regional Councillors representing me, I expect you to vigorously oppose this option.
ReplyDeleteLaurent
ReplyDeleteAs a person who has raised this and fought it fromt he beginning, I am vigourously opposed to the proposal.