We will be going to the polls on October 19 to vote for a new federal government and should use the next few months to make infrastructure funding for cities – especially the GTA – an election issue.
We need more federal funding for critical infrastructure like the pipes that bring clean water to our taps, the roads and transit we take to work and the bridges that connect our communities. It might not appear to be the most pressing of issues, but it is and here’s why: infrastructure is vital to our economic prosperity, we all benefit from it and we all have the responsibility to help pay for it.
The GTA is one of the fastest growing regions in North America and our existing infrastructure isn’t meeting the needs of our existing, let alone our growing, population. If we don’t have pipes in the ground, roads for moving goods and people, and transit to provide an alternative transportation method that eases congestion we are going to experience some drastic growing pains.
The federal government give more money to the provinces for infrastructure and through them it was given to municipalities. Municipalities alone cannot bear the cost of putting in the infrastructure needed to support our growing population and to help attract more businesses to the region.
To fill the gap, in the last decade we have seen municipalities significantly increase development charges and other government fees. Development charges are a tax on new development, paid for by new homebuyers and in the last decade they have more than doubled in most municipalities across the GTA.
We agree with the principle that growth should pay for growth but new homebuyers and employers are already paying their fair share.
We need to elect a government that is committed to funding much-needed infrastructure in the GTA. Research the party platforms and ask the candidates canvassing your neighbourhood where they stand on funding infrastructure to support the growth of our region.
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