Big city mayors in Ottawa, laying out priorities ahead of federal budget

OTTAWA (NEWS 1130) – More than 20 mayors of Canada’s largest cities are in Ottawa today for a series of meetings with federal cabinet ministers ahead of the spring budget.

With less than two weeks to go until we see the federal fiscal plan, Canada’s big city mayors want to see action from the feds following some major commitments.

Edmonton’s Don Iveson says over the last year, there have been billions promised for infrastructure and affordable housing over the next decade. “Making sure that that money rolls out, that some of the urgent items — like repair of social housing — are dealt with sooner.”

“Get those dollars flowing as quickly as possible, so that we don’t lose the 2018 construction season,” says Kitchener Mayor Berry Vrbanovic.

Mayors are also looking to the feds to pressure the provinces to give them a fair share of marijuana tax revenues. Ottawa’s Jim Watson says cities have to deal with much of the frontline costs.

“Police, property standards, bylaws, fire services,” he lists.

There is also a request for more resources to deal with the opioid crisis.

“Funding for things like treatment, detox beds, and treatment beds,” says Watson.

Finance Minister Bill Morneau gave the mayors a presentation this morning, but says we’ll have to wait until February 27th to find out what’s in the budget.