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Mayors want long-term commitment from federal party leaders

Canadian Press Article online since September 22nd 2008, 23:00
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Mayors want long-term commitment from federal party leaders
Montreal Mayor Gerald Tremblay (left), Toronto Mayor David Miller (centre) and Kitchener Mayor and Chairman of the Big City Mayor Caucus Carl Zehr, hold a news conference outlining their expectations from the federal leaders, on Tuesday. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Peter McCabe
MONTREAL - Canada's mayors are telling the five federal party leaders they need more money for infrastructure, affordable housing, public transit as well as cultural and recreational facilities.
Jean Perrault, president of the Federation of Canadian Municipalities, said Tuesday it's time political leaders ask themselves what kind of town and cities Canadians want to live in.
"They want cities with clear air and water, cities with plenty of recreational facilities and transit systems that give commuters the option of leaving their car at home," Perrault told a news conference accompanied by other Canadian mayors.
"They want cities that play their role as engines of the economy and cities that are safe from violence."
Perrault and his colleagues stressed the importance of making urban development a national priority.
"We cannot continue to take decisions piecemeal, we need a long-term vision and commitments because the municipal model as we know it today is obsolete," said Montreal Mayor Gerald Tremblay.
Toronto's David Miller says the Oct. 14 election is a chance for all political parties to tell Canadians how they are going to support the country's major cities.
Miller called on the leaders to use next week's nationally televised debates to "set out their vision of a Canada that will prosper and succeed in the 21st century."
"Are they going to invest in public transit? Are they going to invest in our aging infrastructure in a permanent way? Will they support the creative industries and stop the cuts in arts and culture?
"Only by ensuring that our cities will succeed, can our country truly succeed."
But the Toronto mayor insists the mayors are not using Ottawa as a bank machine.
"It's about the future success of Canada and Canadians."
Carl Zehr, who chairs the group which represents the 22 largest cities in Canada, said the most evident problem is a $123-billion municipal infrastructure deficit.
"Nationally, this deficit is real and it is a drag on our national economy and our citizens' quality of life," he said.
"Our cities need quality infrastructure, affordable housing and first-rate recreation and culture."
Zehr, the mayor of Kitchener, Ont., called for a national action plan "to turn the tide on the infrastructure deficit, if we're going to secure the foundation of our future prosperity."
Perrault also underlined the problems faced by residents of rural and northern communities who are struggling with declining populations and a shrinking tax base.
"They want a federal government that is committed to all regions of the country, not just those with the most voters," he added.
The Federation of Canadian Municipalities represents 80 per cent of the country's population.
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