News Release
Atlantic Mayors Focus On New Revenues, Housing, Immigration
(HALIFAX, N.S., Saturday,
October 30/2004) — New sources of revenue, better relations
between the three levels of government, more affordable housing
programs and better immigration incentives to encourage uniform
settlement patterns across the country highlighted a two day meeting
of the Atlantic Mayors Congress here.
Three federal ministers-- Infrastructure and Communities Minister
john Godfrey, Fisheries Minister Geoff Regan and Immigration Minister
Judy Sgro- addressed these various issues and responded to questions
from the municipal leaders yesterday and today.
Although delegates welcomed the new federal focus given to municipalities
across Canada, there were a number of concerns expressed about the
criteria, equity, delivery mechanism and timing of partnerships/programs
to provide new sources of revenue to local government, such as a
share of federal Gas Tax revenues.
The municipal leaders passed a resolution that new revenues to municipalities
from the federal share of the Gas Tax should be based on a 13/87
sharing principle; that is, one per cent off the top for each of
the 10 provinces and the three territories, and the remaining 87
per cent to be distributed, based on population.
There was considerable discussion on the wide-spread lack of affordable
housing for the homeless and many other low-income earners. Delegates
urged the federal and provincial governments to live up to their
responsibilities to provide more shelters for the homeless and more
affordable housing units, particularly in the urban centres.
Delegates also held discussions on policing and growing concerns
about public safety issues, such as crimes involving youth, drugs,
increasing number of break and enters and robberies in communities
across the Atlantic Region.
The Mayors Congress plan to hold a special meeting next spring to
focus on immigration issues and to discuss more effective methods
and programs to encourage more immigrants to settle in Atlantic
Canada.
Mayor Peter Kelly, of the Halifax Regional Municipality, was unanimously
re-elected chair of the Atlantic Mayors Congress for a third two-year
term, while Mayor Basil Stewart, of Summerside, was elected Vice-Chair.
Delegates approved resolutions to take action on the following issues:
New Deal for Municipalities- The Atlantic Mayors Congress will press
for new partnerships among all orders of government - based on respect
for jurisdictions and leading to cooperation, collaboration and
consultation, as well as leading to municipal autonomy to address
local infrastructure priorities.
New revenue sources - providing net new funding, ensuring there
is no claw-back of funds, recognizing that infrastructure needs
grow with the economy.
Sustainable communities - to build communities that balance economic
opportunity, social well-being and environmental conservation.
Equity - different communities face unique challenges that may require
individual solutions, one solution will not fit all, but equity
is important.
Accountability and results - regular reporting to citizens on outcomes
to ensure transparency.
Administration- Flexible, simple and transparent program administration
- local administration of programs should not be unduly burdensome.
Revenue Flow- In the event a province does not reach an agreement
with the federal government regarding a share of the federal Gas
Tax revenue for its municipalities before the those revenues flow
in 2005, that province’s share for its municipalities will
be held in reserve until such an agreement is reached. In other
words, municipalities should not lose out on much-needed new revenues
simply because the federal and the respective provincial government(s)
are unable to reach agreement.
Affordable Housing-- The Atlantic Mayor’s Congress will urge
all of the Atlantic Premiers and appropriate Ministers requesting
that they, in partnership with the Government of Canada, directly
address affordability problems in their provinces by addressing
deficiencies in the shelter components of provincial income assistance
programs and by creating a new shelter allowance program for working
poor renters.
B) The Atlantic Mayor’s Congress will write to Prime Minister
Paul Martin and federal Housing Minister Joseph Fontana to request
that the Supporting Communities Partnerships Initiative be established
as a permanent program, to include long-term operating programs
and social development funding in addition to capital funding.
C) The Atlantic Mayor’s Congress write to Prime Minister Paul
Martin and Housing Minister Joseph Fontana requesting that the Federal
– Provincial-Territorial Affordable Housing Program be modified
to:
• extend the program beyond its 5 year anniversary sunset
date,
• reduce provincial cost sharing requirement from 50% to 25%,
• allow 100% of federal funding per unit up front, with the
understanding (by formal agreement) that the provinces will put
in its share subsequently,
• allow greater flexibility on how the money can be spent,
• increase the maximum level of subsidy per unit to achieve
affordability, equivalent to 30% shelter to income ratio of households
up to the 25th income percentile for the area in which they are
located.
Immigration- The Atlantic Mayor’s Congress will work to demonstrate
commitment to fostering welcoming communities in our own regions,
by eliminating barriers within various structures and by reviewing
programs/services to ensure they are accessible to diverse communities;
b) encourage the provincial and federal government to fully engage
local government and other stakeholders in the development of strategies
aimed at immigration; and
c) encourage the provincial and federal governments to consider
options and opportunities to increase recognition of international
credentials.
–30–
Mayor Peter Kelly
Chair, Atlantic Mayors Congress
(902) 222-9999 or (902) 835-6097
John O’Brien
Corporate Communications Officer
Halifax Regional Municipality
(902) 476-3802
