Dear Editor:
With election day coming up fast, it is important to evaluate if local candidates are pledging to empower municipalities. Responsible for 60 per cent of Canadian infrastructure with access to only 10 cents on every tax dollar, municipalities tackle the challenges that are closest to Canadians’ day-to-day lives. This includes everything from roads and bridges to community centres, water filtration and public transit.
The Federation of Canadian Municipalities’ election platform is a fully-costed plan to build better lives for Canadians by empowering the governments closest to their daily challenges. Key proposals include a permanent doubling of the Gas Tax Fund transfer and launching a permanent, direct federal funding mechanism for public transit.
In addition, FCM is challenging all political parties to tackle housing affordability, provide crucial support for rural communities and to protect Canadians from the impact of climate change and natural disasters.
Read FCM’s platform at BuildingBetterLives.ca for more information, and please consider the importance of local infrastructure and services when you cast your ballot.
Sincerely,
Councillor
Randy Goulden
City of Yorkton
