OTTAWA - As Canada pitches itself to international investors, Canadian municipalities are reminding the federal government that they, too, need cash — and are seeking investment to help fund local infrastructure projects. The Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) represents nearly 2,000 communities across the country and more than 90 per cent of Canadians from coast to coast to coast. The organization says 11 per cent of Canada’s core infrastructure — including roads, water mains, sewers and waste-treatment plants — is rated in poor or very poor condition. The federation also estimates there is a $240-billion backlog of repairs needed to address the problem. That’s why the FCM is calling for more stable and predictable funding, including targeted support for rural and northern projects and money to help cities adapt their infrastructure to climate change. “We just want to make sure that we keep the house from falling in,” said Ottawa Coun. Tim Tierney, who also serves as FCM president. Unlike the federal and provincial governments, municipalities have limited options when it comes to raising revenue. That means property owners could face higher taxes to cover more infrastructure costs, or repairs and maintenance could be deferred indefinitely. “We simply can’t go back to our property taxpayers and ask to pay hundreds, if not thousands of dollars for a lot of these improvements,” Tierney said. “We simply can’t afford to put that pressure on our residents.” The call for more infrastructure funding is getting support from the Canadian Construction Association. Association president Rodrigue Gilbert says Canada has been underinvesting in infrastructure for decades, and Canadians are already paying the price. “You just have to follow the news a little bit,” he said. “And I’m sure you’ve seen it. Like Calgary and Montreal – literally, like water exploding in downtown and a major leak. So, if we don’t address that issue really soon, we’re going to see that probably every day.” Gilbert says Canadians should not view infrastructure spending simply as a government expense, but as an investment in the economy. The FCM makes a similar case using its own data, saying every dollar invested in infrastructure generates $1.05 in Canadian gross domestic product and more than $2 in overall economic activity, as well as creating jobs. The issue takes on added importance this week, as Ottawa seeks to diversify Canada’s trade relationships and attract foreign investment, with an investment summit taking place in Toronto on Monday and Tuesday. Matthew Holmes, executive vice-president of the Canadian Chamber of Commerce, says infrastructure will be vital if Canada hopes to take advantage of the opportunity. “As we’re looking at investing in a new mine or a new LNG terminal,” he said, “we’re also naturally looking at how are we moving that material. How are we getting that to market? To tidewater? To the airport? To the border? Or to a rail system? All of that is tied back to cities.” Holmes points out that nearly three-quarters of Canada’s GDP is tied to urban centres, with Toronto, Montreal, Vancouver and Calgary accounting for nearly half. “If we don’t have functional cities that have good linkages to the trade corridor,” he said, “we won’t be successful.”
