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The Honourable John Ferguson Godfrey,
Minister of State (Infrastructure and Communities)
Sustaining and improving the quality of life in Canada's cities and communities is a major priority of this government. In my role as Minister of State for Infrastructure and Communities, I want to offer an open door to our cities and communities. I also want to ensure that wider federal programming supports communities in ways that safeguard and improve our environment and our quality of life for today and the next generation of Canadians. The Cities Secretariat and Infrastructure Canada have come together to make this happen, along with the Crown Corporations in my portfolio.
The Government of Canada's New Deal for Cities and Communities is about building strong and effective relationships with all orders of government to ensure the future sustainability of our cities and communities. What I bring to these partnerships is respect for provincial responsibility toward municipalities and a fundamental belief that we share important goals. |
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The Government of Canada also recognizes the need for stable, predictable resources to address some of the challenges communities are facing. We are providing $7 billion in GST relief for municipalities over the next 10 years. In addition, as we promised in the Speech from the Throne, "the Government will work with provinces to share with municipalities a portion of gas tax revenues or to determine other fiscal mechanisms which achieve the same goals," gradually reaching at least $2 billion a year within the next five years. This will help communities with sustainable infrastructure and support the quality of life of Canadians.
Through our existing infrastructure programs, totaling $12 billion in commitments since 1993, we will continue to make strategic, partnership investments in projects that meet local community priorities - at the same time as supporting federal objectives such as health, environment, sustainable development, climate change, innovation and competitiveness. These funds are expected to leverage $30 billion in total investments by all partners.
We will also continue to focus on horizontal policy development and integration within the federal government - because the Government of Canada has a real presence in communities across this country, and we want to connect federal activities in a more coherent way.
The Crown corporations in my portfolio - Canada Lands Company, the Old Port of Montréal Corporation, Parc Downsview Park and Queens Quay West Land Corporation - are tangible examples of the federal contribution to the sustainability of Canadian communities, whether through transforming contaminated land into green or residential space for local communities, or providing cultural and recreational infrastructure enjoyed by millions every year.
Building sustainable cities and communities in Canada requires us to consider the needs of society, the economy, and the environment, while recognizing the diverse nature and cultures of Canada's communities from coast to coast to coast. It is time for all orders of government to come together to build a shared vision for the future and to work together to turn that vision into reality.
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