Devolin Column
August 10, 2006

Working with our Municipal Leaders

Having grown up in a small town, I have always appreciated the contribution that local politicians make to our communities. And while serving as your Member of Parliament for the past two years, I have gained an even better understanding of the critical role that municipal leaders play in our communities.

On this basis, I want to wish the best of luck to those of you gearing up for a run at public office on November 13th. As someone who has run in one nomination and two federal elections in the past couple of years, I know first-hand that “throwing your hat” in the political ring can be pretty intimidating. But I also know how satisfying it can be.

I believe that running for public office is a noble pursuit, and I know that our democracy could not function without people willing to put their names forward for election.

Although federal, provincial and municipal officials work on different issues and with different tools, we’re all answerable to the same taxpayer. This means we must work together to improve the lives of our communities and constituents.

To this end, Canada’s new Conservative government has used its budgetary process to maintain a focus on Canada’s provinces and municipalities. For example, Budget 2006 included major funding for infrastructure, the fight against crime, the environment and affordable housing.

We increased funding for upgrades to our highways and border crossings: a total of $2.4 billion over the next five years. We set aside another $2 billion for strategic investments in much-needed projects such as highways, urban transit, sewage treatment and flood mitigation.

We are renewing the municipal rural infrastructure fund with an injection of $2.2 billion; we are honouring the New Deal for Cities and Communities to maintain the gas tax transfer (the equivalent of 5 cents a litre – worth $5 billion over five years); and we are continuing the 100 percent GST rebates to municipal governments.

Last month, Agriculture Minister Chuck Strahl, Natural Resources Minister Gary Lunn and Environment Minister Rona Ambrose met with their provincial counterparts in Regina. During that meeting, they agreed to set a national target of 5% renewable biofuel content in Canadian gasoline and diesel by 2010.

This is great news for both farmers and the environment. Developing energy from grain, corn and other plant material will create new opportunities for farmers and the rural communities that depend on them, and cleaner-burning fuel will be good for all of us.

But we also know there’s more to be done. Perhaps the most fundamental issue to be addressed is the so-called “fiscal imbalance” in Canada. My Conservative colleagues and I believe that the current revenue sharing arrangement in Canada is overly generous to Ottawa while unfairly shortchanging our provincial and municipal partners.

That’s why Finance Minister Jim Flaherty has just launched an unprecedented national web-based consultation process on how to restore fiscal balance in Canada. I encourage you to visit his site and contribute your comments at http://www.fin.gc.ca/news06/06-038e.html 

In closing, I want to say how much I enjoy serving as your Member of Parliament. Over the past couple of years many of you have welcomed me to your homes, businesses and community events. I have learned so much, and I want to thank you for your kindness and hospitality.