Infrastructure

Canadians count on local governments for good roads and bridges, efficient public transit, reliable water and waste systems, quality recreational facilities and so much more.

However, despite supporting the majority of our key infrastructure, municipalities must maintain these assets while receiving just 8 cents out of every tax dollar collected in Canada. Municipally-maintained infrastructure across Canada remains chronically underfunded and in increasingly poor repair—undermining Canada’s long-term economic strength and the federal government’s ambitious housing goals.

Increased federal investment is the fastest way to empower all municipalities, urban and rural, to deliver infrastructure and increase the number of houses built. 

FCM is advocating for an urgent increase to the community stream of the new Build Communities Strong Fund (formerly known as the Canada Community Building Fund) and indexing it to GDP growth. This fund is the most cost-effective and streamlined way to renew local infrastructure across Canada.   

The federal government must also recognize the distinct infrastructure needs of rural and northern communities and ensure accessible funding for these municipalities who maintain infrastructure over vast areas with limited population and tax bases. 

At a crucial time for Canada, we need to ensure our economic backbone is strengthened. This starts with ambitious federal investment in municipal infrastructure.