Issue News

Ottawa's new long-term infrastructure plan must fight traffic gridlock and cut rising commute times

Today municipal leaders are applauding the Government of Canada for launching a new infrastructure planning process that promises to stop the decline in Canada's aging municipal infrastructure and build the roads, bridges, water and transit systems the country needs to support families, businesses and economic growth.

The following statement was released today by FCM president Berry Vrbanovic following Liberal Leader Bob Rae's speech during FCM's Advocacy Days Board of Directors luncheon in Ottawa:

In St. Anthony, they call the flow from their 23 outfalls "bubbles." That's really just a friendly Newfoundland way of saying raw sewage. The town of 2,700, at the very northern tip of Newfoundland, really wants to stop pumping sewage into its bustling harbour. Unfortunately, it can't afford the $15 million it will cost to do the job... Vrbanovic agrees that the smaller members of the FCM are in a particularly tough spot.

Today's Statistics Canada report showing increased transit ridership across the country underscores the importance of long-term investment in public transit, says the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM). 

The following statement was released today by Berry Vrbanovic, president of the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM), on Bill C-615, an Act to establish a National Public Transit Strategy, introduced today by New Democrat Critic for Transport, Infrastructure and Communities Olivia Chow.

The Standing Committee on Transport, Infrastructure and Communities met with Infrastructure Canada officials to discuss the idea of a national public transit strategy. Witnesses highlighted financial investments in public transit infrastructure made by the federal government in recent years, amounting to $5 billion since 2006 (leveraging an additional $7 billion from partners, mainly provinces and municipalities).

The lack of affordable housing and access to efficient public transit and community services are significant barriers to the success of new immigrants and the Canadian economy, says the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) in a report on Canada´s immigration system.

To shine the spotlight on the amount of time and money lost due to traffic congestion, the Federation of Canadian Municipalities has launched the website Cut My Commute.

Cities scarcely register as a blip on the political radar in this federal election, even though urban areas are home to about 80 per cent of Canadians and face profound problems, including gridlock, homelessness and a staggering infrastructure deficit.

Mississauga Mayor Hazel McCallion and the rest of council want residents to know what the city needs before voters go to the polls May 2.

Canada's federal political parties need to explain what they will do to help cities and municipalities if elected, the Federation of Canadian Municipalities says.

(Available in original language only) La Fédération canadienne des municipalités a dressé mercredi sa liste de demandes aux principaux partis politiques en vue du scrutin fédéral.

(Available in original language only) La Fédération canadienne des municipalités plonge dans la campagne électorale et demande aux chefs des partis politiques fédéraux de prendre position sur ses priorités qui ont été dévoilées en conférence de presse à Ottawa.

(Available in original language only) La Fédération canadienne des municipalités a plongé dans la campagne électorale, mercredi, et demandé aux chefs des partis de prendre position sur ses priorités, dévoilées en conférence de presse à Ottawa.