Our Cities, our Future - addressing the fiscal inbalance in Canada's Cities today June 2006
The Big City Mayors’ Caucus (BCMC), represents 22 of Canada’s largest cities. It is in cities where much of the wealth of Canada's provinces, territories and the country is generated. But the ability to be initiators and incubators of economic growth and prosperity is challenged by growing fiscal constraints that can no longer be ignored by other orders of government.
Over the years, the role of cities has emerged beyond the traditional provider of services to property, to an everexpanding provider of people services. Yet the growing importance of cities has not been matched with updated financial arrangements that are appropriate to our new role.
This is why the BCMC believes the fiscal imbalance debate must include local government: because the fiscal imbalance that exists today is between all orders of governments—municipal, provincial/territorial and federal.
We believe it is imperative that our perspective be part of the national debate on the fiscal imbalance. In preparing this paper for the Government of Canada, Canada’s cities have come together to advocate for fundamental change in the way all governments work together. We are ready to work in partnership with our provincial/territorial governments and the federal government to right the fiscal imbalance and ensure our collective prosperity.
We will share our perspective with the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) so that it might provide the foundation for a comprehensive and inclusive municipal position.
The BCMC is eager to start the discussion. The future of our cities depends on it.
Read the report: http://www.fcm.ca/english/documents/bcmcfinal.pdf
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