Back to SearchToday, the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) presented a vision for Canada’s recovery to the federal government and opposition parties. As the 44th Parliament begins its work and looking forward to a potential Federal Fall Economic Statement and the 2022 Federal Budget, municipal leaders are putting forward local solutions to pressing national challenges.
“The last 20 months have showed what is possible when governments work together and as we come out of the pandemic, all orders of government need to continue working together as we focus on driving the kind of inclusive, sustainable recovery Kitchener residents and all Canadians need and deserve,” said Kitchener Mayor Berry Vrbanovic. “The City of Kitchener stands ready to work with the federal government and all political parties by providing local solutions to national challenges because we know that many of Canada’s biggest challenges can be addressed first, fastest and most effectively at the local government level. From affordable housing to climate change, and economic renewal to transit and so much more, our solutions can deliver results directly in the communities from coast to coast to coast where people live, work and raise their families.”
The document, titled Partners for Canada’s Recovery, puts forward nonpartisan local solutions that create jobs and tackle some of Canada’s biggest recovery challenges. They include:
- Secure, affordable housing: We are building on the government’s election commitments by calling for a priority launch of the Housing Accelerator Fund, protecting our residents from “renoviction,” preserving existing affordable rental supply, co-developing a dedicated Indigenous housing strategy, scaling up the Rapid Housing Initiative, and building on the Reaching Home program.
- Accelerating climate action: The devastating flooding in B.C. is yet another tragic reminder of the urgent need to build more resilient communities. In order to do that we need the federal government to scale up investments in disaster mitigation projects, natural infrastructure, and continue strengthening local adaptation capacity. To reach Canada’s 2030 emission reduction target and set the country on the path towards net-zero emissions by 2050, we need to work together to build upon federal investments that are already being made—including through FCM’s Green Municipal Fund—to drive high-value projects in key areas like building retrofits, community energy generation, electric vehicles and capturing emissions from municipal landfills.
- Transit: Beyond the priority call for emergency transit operating support, we’re looking for this Parliament to design and implement the promised permanent transit fund, in close consultation with cities.
- Safe and healthy communities: FCM is calling on the federal government to launch a study of the most effective levers to prevent cross-border trafficking of unregistered handguns into our cities, ensuring that any proposed measures are analyzed through an equity lens so they do not contribute to the disproportionate criminalization of Indigenous and racialized groups.
“If we want to get this recovery moving, we need to tackle these issues with all speed,” said FCM President Joanne Vanderheyden. “As frontline governments, municipalities understand the challenges people face in their daily lives and we know how to transform federal investments into real outcomes in our communities. That makes municipalities key to Canada’s recovery, and we’re ready to work with every party to get the job done.”
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The Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) unites more than 2,000 local governments at the national level, representing more than 90 per cent of Canadians in every province and territory.
FCM news releases and announcements
Read FCM’s Partners for Canada’s Recovery
For more information, please contact:
Paul Grivicic, Chief of Staff
City of Kitchener
226-749-3410
Bethany Rowland, Director of Corporate Communications & Marketing
City of Kitchener
226-752-9038
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