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B.C. mayors call on senior governments for more help
On Sept. 24, 140 mayors from across B.C. met in Victoria to examine the challenges of B.C.’s communities and to share best practices in moving forward.
Included in the meeting was a statement to be sent to the Federal and Provincial governments regarding infrastructure.
“We agree that our communities require immediate action to provide stable, predictable, long term infrastructure funding from federal and provincial governments, to meet municipal needs as defined by each community’s priorities. This statement affirms and complements the efforts of UBCM (Union of BC Municipalities) and FCM (Federation of Canadian Municipalities) to address the infrastructure needs of communities to ensure social, economic and environmental well-being.”
Village of Canal Flats Mayor Ute Juras was among the 140 mayors gathered and she enthused about her experience to e-KNOW.
“We had a very productive day. I am very excited to be part of this group and look forward to sending a strong and united voice to the province,” Juras stated.
While meeting in Victoria, the mayors also heard from Honourable Bill Bennett, Minister of Community, Sport and Cultural Development for British Columbia and Kootenay East MLA. The mayors were pleased to hear Minister Bennett acknowledge the need for a closer working relationship between the federal, provincial and local governments in addressing many of the concerns being voiced by the Mayors’ Caucus, they noted in a press release.
The mayors also shared revenue and expenditure ideas to ensure sustainable service capacity in their communities, during the Monday session.
The BC Mayors’ Caucus is based on successful models across North America and Europe including the Alberta Mayors’ Caucus, the Big Cities Mayors’ Caucus (Canada), Atlantic Mayors’ Congress (Canada), Metropolitan Mayors’ Caucus (United States) and the Summit of Mayors (EU).
The next Mayors’ Caucus will take place April 29 and 30, 2013 in Prince George, and invitations will be sent to Premier Christy Clark; Leader of the Official Opposition Adrian Dix; BC Conservative Leader John Cummins and Green Party Leader Jane Sterk as well as the Honourable Denis Lebel, Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities for the Government of Canada to address the mayors at the Prince George event.
Above images from May 2012 meeting.
e-KNOW
