Canada's quality of life depends on strong, vibrant and sustainable cities and communities. With the implementation of the New Deal for Cities and Communities, the Government of Canada has taken constructive steps to engage and consult with stakeholders; to continue to promote new partnerships between federal, provincial, and municipal governments; and to start to deliver stable, predictable, long-term funding for cities and communities in urban and rural areas.

As one of his first acts as Prime Minister of Canada on December 12, 2003, Paul Martin created a Cities Secretariat within the Privy Council Office with the Hon. John Godfrey as his Parliamentary Secretary. In July 2004, the Prime Minister named Mr. Godfrey as Minister of State (Infrastructure and Communities) thereby combining the Secretariat for Cities with Infrastructure Canada to form a new ministry. Combined with responsibility for four Crown Corporations (Canada Lands Company, Parc Downsview Park Inc., Old Port of Montréal Corporation Inc. and Queens Quay West Land Corporation), the Minister has a portfolio very much oriented toward vibrant communities.

The New Deal is composed of four key components:

• Vision
• Relationships
• Funding
• Cities and Communities Lens