December 10, 2012

Federal infrastructure commitment reaffirmed

OTTAWA

In a recent address to the Federation of Canadian Municipalities’ (FCM) board of directors, the federal minister of transport, infrastructure and communities reaffirmed the government’s commitment to deliver a new long-term public infrastructure plan.

“Our new plan will be realistic,” said minister Denis Lebel. “It will balance the need for strong, sustained investment with our government’s ongoing work to cut taxes, balance the budget, reduce the deficit and maintain fiscal responsibility.”

Throughout the summer, Lebel and the minister of state (transport) Steven Fletcher held a series of in-depth discussions on the future direction and principles for a plan that will extend beyond the expiry of the Building Canada plan in 2014. Close to 200 representatives from provinces, territories, municipalities and key stakeholders were engaged in this series of roundtables to guide the development of the new plan.

“Our government is working in partnership to develop a new long-term infrastructure plan that meets the needs of Canadian communities while ensuring affordability and respecting taxpayers’ ability to pay,” said Lebel.

“The Federation of Canadian Municipalities has provided great input into these discussions, and we are considering their submissions along with those already received from other partners and stakeholders across Canada, as we continue to develop our plan.”

Recently FCM has launched the Great Canadian Infrastructure Challenge to create a nationwide conversation about the importance of municipal infrastructure.

DCN NEWS SERVICES

Print | Comment