WELLINGTON COUNTY – Wellington County joined municipalities from across Canada to release, through the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM), detailed recommendations for federal post-COVID economic recovery plans.
In a Nov. 24 press release, the county states municipalities are urging the government to pursue a recovery that “empowers local leaders to deliver results for Canadians on the ground while continuing to protect the frontline services they rely on.”
The release states municipalities from coast to coast are still working hard to keep Canadians safe through the pandemic’s second wave, “and they’ll be just as crucial to Canada’s recovery.”
FCM’s plan urges the federal government to work with its 2,000 municipal members to create jobs, tackle climate change, and create more resilient communities—in the places where people live, work, and raise families.
“Municipal governments have a proven track-record of turning federal investments into jobs and growth on the ground,” said Minto Mayor and FCM board member George Bridge, who is vice-chair of FCM’s Ontario caucus.
“We’re on the front lines, we know how to tackle the unique challenges we face to achieve key national goals. After everything we’ve learned in this pandemic, people in Wellington County and all over the country want a recovery that starts in their communities,” Bridge stated.
Canadian municipalities stressed the need for continued operating funding support so municipalities can protect frontline services and gear up for recovery: the critical first tranche delivered through the Safe Restart Agreement will need extending as COVID-19’s impacts stretch through 2021. And to directly and predictably empower communities to lead the recovery, municipalities are calling for a doubling of the Gas Tax Fund allocation for three years through a new investment: the Municipal Economic Recovery Fund, which will help rapidly deliver infrastructure stimulus and job growth.
The release indicates the ongoing pandemic has also exposed real inequalities in Canada.
Disproportionate impact
“It’s had disproportionate impacts on women, seniors, and on Indigenous, Black and racialized Canadians. This pandemic has also been particularly hard on people experiencing homelessness, especially in bigger cities. That’s why FCM’s proposals include scaling up the new Rapid Housing Initiative to bring supportive housing to 27,000 Canadians—virtually achieving the federal goal to end chronic homelessness,” the release states.
Local and FCM officials state the recovery to come must also reflect the coast-to-coast impact of COVID-19, and swiftly following through on recent federal commitments to universal internet access will boost the economic and social health of rural, northern and remote communities.
“This will not only recognize how important these communities are to Canada’s economy, but it will stand as inspiration for a truly nationwide recovery that builds better lives in communities of all sizes and every region,” officials state.
FCM’s green-recovery plan emphasizes community climate action and public transit. Scaling up the federal Disaster Mitigation and Adaptation Fund and investing in natural infrastructure will create more jobs as communities boost their climate resilience. Investing in efficient transit and zero-emission transit vehicles will create jobs and shorten commutes while significantly reducing GHG emissions. And FCM’s Green Municipal Fund is ready to help communities create jobs and reduce emissions—through building retrofits, greener vehicle fleets, tree planting, and other green initiatives.
“Municipalities know that no order of government succeeds alone in this country, and if we continue to work together, we will come out of this pandemic a greener, more resilient and fairer country,” officials state.
