STRENGTHENING CANADA THROUGH OUR HOMETOWNS FCM BUDGET 2015 SUBMISSION - FCM.CA
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Table of Contents Introduction ...................................................................................................................... 1 Strengthening Canada through our Hometowns ........................................................................... 1 Section 1 – Local Jobs and Growth. ....................................................................2 Canada’s Future: Where our water is protected............................................................................. 3 Identifying the gap..................................................................................................................... 4 Recommendations..................................................................................................................... 5 Canada’s Future: Where people and ideas move quickly . ............................................................. 6 Identifying the gap..................................................................................................................... 6 Recommendations..................................................................................................................... 7 Section 2 – Livable Communities .......................................................................... 8 Canada’s Future: A welcoming and affordable place to live and build a future............................. 8 Identifying the gap..................................................................................................................... 9 Recommendations................................................................................................................... 10
Introduction Strengthening Canada through our Hometowns “A strong Canada begins with strong hometowns. Hometowns propel our country forward; they are engines of innovation, creativity and our sense of community. Where we choose to work, live and raise our families is a powerful source of pride for most Canadians.” FCM President, Brad Woodside E ach of us has a story about how a To realize this vision, we believe that all hometown teacher, librarian, firefighter, orders of government must work together police officer, small business owner, and strengthen our economy from the artist, volunteer, entrepreneur, neighbour or ground up, shaping our future through friend has changed lives for the better. These our cities and communities. stories are the building blocks for what makes With a strong federal partner, we can build Canada great. the modern infrastructure we need to move These stories also point toward a better forward. We can ensure our communities Canada—one of dynamic cities and commu- remain affordable and family-friendly. We nities with modern infrastructure that can can attract talent and investment and drive compete with the best in the world; one with job creation. affordable, healthy and livable communities, By working together, we can strengthen both rural and urban, for Canadian families. our hometowns. That’s how we will build this country and ensure a better quality of life for all Canadians. 1
Section 1 Local Jobs and Growth Canada’s Future – Our cities and communities are engines of innovation and growth O ur country’s future relies on healthy Canada’s municipalities have consistently job growth and sustainable economic demonstrated that we get shovels in the development. And this starts with ground quickly on major infrastructure strengthening Canada’s hometowns. renewal. We are ready to partner with you on these solutions to keep our economy Investing in local infrastructure provides a and country moving forward. clear and measurable return on investment, and helps address some of the biggest challenges hindering our economic compet- itiveness. Predictable investments in core municipal infrastructure are vital to keeping “Investing in infrastructure should goods moving and businesses operating. be a top spending priority, to build a foundation under the Canadian Reducing crippling gridlock through improved economy and ensure that we public transit will generate tens of billions of remain globally competitive as dollars worth of productivity gains and improve an exporter and creator of wealth.” our environment. Partnering on important - Conference Board of Canada wastewater-system upgrades will enable communities to meet new federal standards and help the environment. 2
Canada’s Future: Without a partnership between all orders of Where our water is protected government, these costs will force municipali- Ensuring that our lakes and rivers are clean, ties to defer other local infrastructure priorities and that Canadians have safe and reliable that are critical to sustained economic growth drinking water, are obligations shared by and job creation, and could significantly increase all orders of government. property taxes for hundreds of thousands of families and small businesses. The Town of Municipalities continuously and publicly Burgeo, NL, for instance, faces a per-capita supported the Government of Canada’s new cost of $24,000 to $27,000. In Prince Rupert, national standards for Canada’s more than BC, the number is $10,000 to $12,000; for 3,500 wastewater systems. This regulation the City of Montreal, complying with the will benefit all Canadians and our environ- new regulations will cost $1 billion. ment. It will also require investments by all orders of government, to make its successful Municipalities are ready to partner with the implementation a reality. federal government on a new Clean Water Fund to ensure that together we can meet Over the next three decades, the regulations these new regulations without straining the require communities to substantially upgrade economy, job creation and about one-in-four wastewater-treatment Canadian families. systems across the country. Based on con- servative estimates developed through both Environment Canada and a survey of impacted municipalities, capital expenditures alone will “Ensuring our communities have be in excess of $18 billion. Municipalities will the resources they need to upgrade also face significant additional costs in terms wastewater systems is absolutely of up-front assessment and planning, as well essential to protecting our drinking as in operating expenses. water and our environment.” - Robert Haller, Executive Director, Canadian Water and Wastewater Association 3
Identifying the Gap Preliminary total cost estimates – Current levels of investment in all local infra- selected municipalities: structure delivered through the permanent, • Metro Vancouver, BC: $1.5 billion indexed federal Gas Tax Fund and the appli- • Halifax, NS: $710 million cation-based New Building Canada Fund, are • Cape Breton, NS: $423 million important complements to the $15 billion • Montreal, QC: $1.07 billion invested by municipalities themselves each • Greater Moncton, NB: $105 million year. As these programs are designed to cover • Regina, SK: $88 million all local infrastructure needs, they simply Preliminary per capita cost estimates – cannot also address the new costs associated selected municipalities: with the implementation of the wastewater • $24,000-27,000: Town of Burgeo, NL regulations. • $10,000-12,000: Prince Rupert, BC To build a strong foundation for Canada’s • $7,145: Portage la Prairie, MB future and maximize the value of infrastruc- • $3,064: Rocky Harbour, NL ture investments by all orders of government, • $3,017: Corner Brook, NL additional long-term, predictable and dedicated • $2,273: Port Clements, BC funding is needed to address new infrastructure • $1,975: Powell River, BC priorities created by the federal wastewater • $1,652: Neepawa, MB regulations. • $1,279: Sackville, NB • $1,136: St. John’s, NL Approximately 850 wastewater systems are affected by the new regulations (See wastewater table upgrades, page 5). According to FCM cost estimates, communities with #HOMETOWNPROUD high-risk systems will need to invest approx- imately $3.5 billion before the compliance Canadians from coast to deadline of 2020. Medium-risk systems are coast to coast are proud estimated to require investments of more than of their hometowns: $10 billion by 2030, while low-risk systems “In the Town of Souris, you will see our civic pride visible every will require more than $4 billion dollars by day in many different ways. We 2040. This represents current and future believe in preserving our environ- investments totaling at least $18 billion ment and we strive to make our town beautiful for all to enjoy.” dollars in capital expenditures alone. - Joanne Dunphy, Souris, PEI shared her pride in FCM’s Hometown Proud Campaign 4
Recommendations: Partnering on Solutions “All Newfoundlanders and Support immediate job creation and Labradorians want to keep our contribute substantially to Canada’s GDP water clean. The challenge for by partnering with municipalities on a new, many of our communities is that Clean Water Fund. if we have to bear these costs • New federal investments of $300 million alone, we would use up entire town annually, to be matched by municipal budgets. We all need to come to governments and by provincial and the table, ready to do our part.” territorial governments, for a total program value of $900 million per - Mayor Churence Rogers, year; and President of the Municipalities of Newfoundland and Labrador • Commit funding for at least 20 years to assist communities with the capital cost of rebuilding wastewater systems (estimated total cost: more than $18 billion). Wastewater Facilities Requiring Upgrades, By Region Number of Facilities Requiring Upgrades Based on National Ranking System Jurisdiction Low Risk 2040 Medium Risk 2030 High Risk 2020 Total Alberta 3 30 2 35 British Columbia 0 4 8 12 Manitoba 0 81 0 81 New Brunswick 13 38 0 51 Newfoundland 0 1 45 46 and Labrador Nova Scotia 8 36 16 60 Ontario 99 4 3 106 Prince Edward Island 17 7 0 24 Quebec 0 144 30 174 Saskatchewan 0 29 1 30 Yukon 0 1 1 2 Federal 162 36 30 228 Total 302 411 136 849 Source: Environment Canada 5
Canada’s Future: Our public-opinion research shows that Where people and ideas move quickly traffic congestion, public transit and roads When people can move around a city quickly, are consistently identified as primary issues creative ideas also tend to move quickly. The affecting the quality of life for residents in ability to travel quickly is a foundation for a municipalities across Canada; 64 percent of vibrant, modern city, and a necessity for a Canadians say that improved public transit strong national economy. will make life better in their communities. It is no coincidence that some of the most Canada’s municipalities are committed to dynamic places in the world—those that are reducing traffic and increasing available true engines of their national economies— transit. But we cannot do it on our own. also have some of the world’s best rapid- Fostering communities where people and transit systems. ideas move quickly must be a priority all orders of government tackle together. What’s more, Canadians told us that they base their decisions on where to establish Identifying the Gap themselves on factors such as how easy it In a recent study, the Canadian Urban Transit is to get from modern affordable neighbour- Association (CUTA) estimated transit capital hoods to their workplaces quickly. They want needs of $53.5 billion between 2012 and 2016. to work hard, and have time to relax with Approximately $40 billion of this amount will family and friends. They want to avoid come from existing funding commitments by traffic congestion and long commutes. all governments, including almost $4 billion over five years from the federal government. Today, the average Canadian commuter This leaves a funding shortfall of $13.5 billion. spends the equivalent of 32 working days a CUTA estimates the federal share of eliminating year travelling to and from work. The Greater this $13.5 billion shortfall to be approximately Toronto Area and Metro Montréal have $1 billion a year. average daily commute times of more than 75 minutes, longer than London, New York and Los Angeles. Average daily commute times in Calgary are 66 minutes; in Vancouver, 67 minutes. These and many other urban regions need major investments to fight growing gridlock. 6
Recommendations: #HOMETOWNPROUD Partnering on solutions Canadians from coast to Reduce traffic congestion, improve local coast to coast are proud of their hometowns: mobility and support sustainable growth “Spruce Grove would be even through committing to the development of a better if we had a transit system long-term, predictable and dedicated fund for that connected us to surrounding municipal transit projects. towns and cities on a regular basis.” • New federal investments of at least - Debbie Brown, Spruce Grove, $1 billion annually dedicated to municipal Alberta shared her pride in transit projects, to be matched by municipal FCM’s Hometown Proud and by provincial and territorial govern- Campaign ments, for a total program value of $3 billion per year. • Improve predictability and maximize value for money, by putting this investment on a long-term track with funding committed for 15–20 years, on five-year planning cycles. • Allocate funding based on current and projected transit ridership. Return on Investment: • According to the Canadian Urban Transit “Canadians don’t want to spend so much time in traffic; it’s costing Association, every dollar invested in public our economy billions of dollars. transit generates three dollars worth of Mayors from across the country economic growth. are united and ready to partner with • The $2 billion invested in transit projects the federal government on cutting across Canada in 2007 generated 22,570 commute times.” full-time equivalent jobs. • The CD Howe Institute estimates that - Mayor John Tory, Toronto, Ontario traffic congestion costs the Toronto region up to $11 billion worth of lost productivity each year. 7
Section 2 Livable Communities Canada’s Future – A welcoming and affordable place to live and build a future T ogether we can create vibrant, welcom- makes up 20 per cent of Canada’s GDP. ing communities where people want to Housing that’s affordable improves lives live and work, start businesses, build and strengthens communities. connections and contribute. Protecting federal investments in social Housing that is affordable for newcomers, housing and creating incentives to increase young families, the middle class and rental housing will help keep vulnerable seniors alike lays the groundwork for seniors in their homes and out of the health healthy communities. care system for longer periods of time, make housing more affordable for the one-third of For too many Canadians, affordable home- Canadians who rent, and take the pressure off ownership remains out of reach. Home prices the housing market and household debt. have more than doubled since 2000. Forty two percent of young Canadians currently live with According to our internal public-opinion their parents. Household mortgages make research, which sampled more than 5,300 up 68 percent of Canada’s record high house- Canadians across the country, 63 percent of hold debt, one of the greatest threats to our Canadians believe new affordable housing will economy, according to the Bank of Canada. make life better in their communities. Building affordable housing was seen as an important Investments in housing make sense. Including area of concern for all cities and communities, the costs of rent and construction, housing large and small. 8
Municipalities continue to invest significantly According to the Bank of Canada, household in housing and have been implementing an debt, of which mortgages make up 68 percent, array of initiatives to increase and preserve is one of the greatest risks to the economy. the supply of rental and affordable housing. One-third of Canadians rent, but investments These include tax exemptions, intensification in purpose-built rental housing have flatlined and redevelopment initiatives, and stream- at 10 percent of all housing starts for more lining approvals, but the scope and range of than a decade. Over the same period, conver- problems are too complex for any one order sions to condominiums and a poor state of government to solve alone. It will require of repair have contributed to a net loss of collaboration and leadership from the federal affordable rental housing in Canada. According government to secure the future of housing to the Conference Board of Canada “housing in Canada. unaffordability is a structural feature of the Canada’s municipalities are ready to work Canadian economy affecting people at together to create healthier, more livable a wide range of income levels.” hometowns. Increased investments in purpose-built rental Identifying the Gap housing will ease the pressure off both the The Government of Canada currently invests home-ownership and social-housing systems, $1.7 billion annually in federal operating and provide additional affordable-housing agreements for Canada’s 600,000 social- options, helping lower the record levels of housing units. As these agreements wind household debt that threatens Canada’s down, annual federal spending will decline economy. from $1.7 billion in 2014/2015 to $1 billion in 2020, $530 million in 2025, under $1 million in 2035 and to $0 by 2040. “…improved ownership afford- At the same time, the need for affordable ability will translate into reduced housing is growing. Over 200,000 Canadians pressure for higher rents and a experience homelessness every year. The City reduction in the need for housing of Calgary and the Region of Waterloo, for assistance.” instance, each have social-housing waitlists of - Canadian Home Builder’s more than 3,000 households. In Metro Vancouver, Association, Housing Affordability the number is 4,100. Across the country, the And Accessibility, A Synopsis of number surpasses 150,000. Canada had Solutions, 2012 approximately 1,086 homeless shelters in 2011, up from 859 in 2006. 9
Recommendations: Preserve and increase affordable rental housing through tax incentives aimed at Partnering on removing barriers to new affordable and Solutions market-rental housing. Protect and make permanent Canada`s • Invest $400 million in innovative tax $2.072 billion annual federal affordable- incentives to preserve existing rental housing programs and investments. units and remove barriers to new afford- • Preserve rent and operational subsidies able and market-rental housing to begin where needed and, where current oper- to meet the needs of the almost 200,000 ation agreements are no longer needed, Canadian families on waiting lists for invest funds as agreements expire in new affordable housing. social-capital repair and regeneration - Eco-Energy Retrofit: To improve the programs. quality of rental stock, reduce high • Reinvest approximately 30 percent of utility-cost burdens for renters, reduce expiring funds in a new Capital Repair and emissions and environmental impacts, Regeneration Program to begin to address and increase resale and future rental Canada’s social-housing capital-repair value to landlords (insulation and deficit. windows, update heating systems and • Current allotments of $253 million possibly replace older appliances). annually to the federal Investment in Potential cost: $150 million annually Affordable Housing (IAH) program and the $119 million annually for Homelessness Partnering Strategy (HPS) should be renewed and made permanent when #HOMETOWNPROUD they expire in 2019. • Delivery of all programs must ensure Canadians from coast to sufficient flexibility to meet the unique coast to coast are proud of their hometowns: agreements, needs and circumstances of each region. It must also recognize that “A national housing strategy and more federal funding for climate and geography are natural disin- affordable housing would make centives for investment in rental and other my hometown even better.” affordable-housing options in Canada’s - Kelly McRae, Winnipeg, Manitoba shared her pride North. New investments, rental incentives in FCM’s Hometown and the reinvestment of expiring operating Proud Campaign agreements should be targeted to address these barriers. 10
- Rental Incentive Tax Credit: To stop Return on Investment: the serious erosion—through demolition • For every dollar invested in housing, and conversion to condominiums— Canada earns back $1.40 in GDP. of existing lower-rent properties, this • The annual cost to Canadians of incentive would credit property owners homelessness is estimated at $7 billion. for selling affordable assets to eligible • The housing sector represents 20 percent non-profit providers (including a of Canada’s GDP. A stable, secure housing municipality), thereby preserving system that creates and maintains jobs assets and promoting long-term while allowing for a range of living options affordability. The credit would target is essential to grow our economy. small investors that face large tax- liabilities when they sell properties. Potential cost: $250 million annually “The price of buying a family home in Saskatchewan is up over 40% in the last decade, with vacancy rates below 2% in much of the province, including my community of Yorkton. We have to do better if we want our communities to grow and thrive, to attract young families, and to keep things affordable for our seniors.” - Councillor and FCM Board member Randy Goulden, Yorkton, Saskatchewan 11
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