Statement by FCM president Berry Vrbanovic following speech by Liberal Leader Bob Rae at today's FCM Advocacy Days' Board of Directors luncheon (29/11/2011)

The following statement was released today by FCM president Berry Vrbanovic following Liberal Leader Bob Rae's speech during FCM's Advocacy Days Board of Directors luncheon in Ottawa:

"Today Mr. Rae spoke to municipal leaders from across Canada about the importance of all governments working together to protect core investments in our communities and plan for the future.

Mr. Rae's comments reflected the new consensus in Ottawa that now is the time to plan long-term infrastructure investments and that all orders of government must help set national priorities and share the costs together to protect our economy, communities and taxpayers in the years ahead.

Municipalities welcome Mr. Rae's call to turn recent investments into a lasting solution for Canada's aging roads, bridges, public transit and water systems. We also support Mr. Rae's call for the long-term infrastructure plan promised in Budget 2011 to fight traffic gridlock with dedicated investments in public transit.

In recent years governments have shown that when they come together, ready to do their part and find common sense solutions, they can tackle national challenges and deliver better value for taxpayers. By expanding this collaborative approach, and making it a permanent way of doing business, Canada can achieve other important national objectives as well, including: supporting front-line policing and community safety and fixing holes in Canada's housing system."