Bill Karsten, president of the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) issued the following statement today. FCM is the national voice of local government, uniting nearly 2,000 member municipalities representing more than 90 per cent of Canadians.

“FCM welcomes the Green Party of Canada’s commitment to double the scale of a proven federal funding tool that empowers local governments to build better lives for Canadians.

“The Green Party is committing ‘to institutionalize federal transfers to municipalities through the creation of a Municipal Fund,’ doubling current funding to ensure predictable and reliable support for municipalities. This responds directly to FCM’s cornerstone recommendation to all political parties to commit to permanently doubling the Gas Tax Fund transfer to municipalities.

“Municipalities are responsible for nearly 60 percent of the infrastructure that supports Canadians’ quality of life— from roads and bridges to water systems and community centres. By immediately empowering municipalities to move more projects forward, growing this funding tool is the most efficient and effective step the next federal government can take to build better lives for Canadians.

“We also welcome the Green Party’s commitment to enhancing the measures found in the national housing strategy, and their acknowledgment of rental housing as an important part of the solution mix to Canada’s housing affordability crisis. Municipal leaders are on the front lines of this challenge, and we call on all parties to work with local governments to ensure more Canadians have a place to call home.”

For more information, please contact:

FCM Media Relations, (613) 907-6395, media@fcm.ca