= INFRASTRUCTURE FUNDING
# PROGRAM

Details Soon But It’s Time to Anticipate

1. BACKGROUND

Since the mid-1980’s, local government under the auspices of the Federation of

Canadian Municipalities (FCM) and with support of others such as UBCM, has

_ championed a national infrastructure renewal program for water, roads, sewers

and other physical infrastructure. The federal Liberal party featured a job creation

infrastructure program as part of their campaign and have acted on this soon after
taking office.

42. UPDATE- FEDERALLY

UBCM President Mayor Trewhella attended a December meeting of the FCM Boar4
of Directors with the Honourable Art Eggleton, Federal Minister responsible f
Infrastructure, to discuss the federal government's point of view. The FCM Board
expressed these reservations:

4° the federal government's definition of infrastructure, including schools, con-
ference centres, opera halls, was too broad and should be focused on basic physical

—q Services.

¢ local governments were again being excluded, even as observers, from the
federal-provincial negotiations and Management Committees; even though local
government would be funding one-third of the costs.

3. UPDATE: PROVINCIALLY
UBCM staff have had briefings from their provincial counterparts beginning in late

j November. These discussions were to lay the groundwork for a meeting between
j the Honourable Darlene Marzari, Minister of Municipal Affairs, Honourable Glen

#4] Clark, Minister of Employmentand Investment and UBCM representatives. While

“4 it was hoped that these meetings might take place in December, schedules did not

es rs permit, and they are to be set for later this month.

| Itis expected that BC and Ottawa will signan agreement shortly that will detailhow

the program will apply in BC including the types of projects to be funded, the

tweq approval process, provincial and local shares, etc.

Me P/ES. COUOMC/LLORS
—_ o. BR KIRK KTEM | PAGE

F-MIA ITAA L/D

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