Federation of Canadian Municipalities keeping infrastructure spending as top priority for upcoming Federal budget

On January 14, the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) released a list of more than 1,000 infrastructure projects (20 from Halton Region) that would be ready to go as early as this spring if federal funding is made available quickly. The FCM is saying that these projects should be used as the cornerstone in Minister Flaherty’s economic stimulus package to create jobs, boost our economic competitiveness and enhance quality of life.

This message is important for Halton Region as it is an opportunity to stress to the Federal government the need and importance of investing in community infrastructure across all municipalities in Canada in its upcoming budget.

“Our main priority continues to be getting the infrastructure we need in Halton Region, while alleviating the burden from the shoulders of our taxpayers. That need is even more critical during this time of economic instability,” says Regional Chair, Gary Carr. “I support any efforts by the FCM to encourage this kind of investment by the Federal government and are willing to work with governments at all levels to make it happen.”

The FCM is also proposing the Canadian government adopt the Gas Tax Fund model as the way to flow money into these projects quickly. With the first ministers meeting Friday to discuss strategies to fight the recession, the FCM hopes the list and proposed funding model will influence the financial decisions being made for the upcoming federal budget on January 26.

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