Infrastructure isn’t just an election buzzword these days, it is a national issue facing cities and towns in every province and territory.
Infrastructure can mean roads and bridges that connect all communities with one another, transit systems that do as well and social infrastructure like housing.
The Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) has argued that infrastructure spending is one of the best ways to generate local jobs and stimulate the economy.
The national organization has called on the federal parties to address municipal needs and infrastructure funding during the election.
In its 2015 election platform, FCM sets out that the federal government should increase the amount of dedicated funding for core municipal infrastructure (roads, bridges, transit, other municipal transportation infrastructure, water, wastewater and stormwater) by $1.5 billion annually through a predictable mechanism like the Gas Tax Fund.
When asked to speak about infrastructure spending, Blake Richards replied with an email to the Outlook.
“Our Conservative government has delivered the New Building Canada Plan (NBCP) to help finance the construction, rehabilitation and enhancement of infrastructure across Canada,” stated the email from his campaign. “The plan includes over $53 billion for provincial, territorial and municipal infrastructure over 10 years. Combined with investments in federal infrastructure and First Nations’ infrastructure, total federal spending for infrastructure will reach $75 billion over the next decade and we are making these investments while keeping tax levels at the lowest level since John Diefenbaker was prime minister and balancing the budget, unlike the Liberals who intend to run $10 billion dollar deficits for the next several years.”
Richards went on to point to local projects like the Legacy Trail, Trans-Canada Highway pedestrian underpass, trails and investments in Banff National Park as examples of his government’s commitment to infrastructure investment.
“A re-elected Conservative government is committed to continuing to invest in public infrastructure that will reduce commuting times for families, enhance our economic productivity and protect the environment.”
Liberal Party candidate Marlo Raynolds said during an interview with the Outlook that infrastructure should also include social infrastructure, which can include things like seniors facilities and affordable housing.
“In the Bow Valley, affordable housing is a critical issue and it impacts small businesses as well,” he said. “They have a really tough time being able to attract and retain staff because they often cannot find affordable homes, both rental and purchase.”
Given the drop in oil prices, Raynolds said many residents in the Airdrie and Cochrane areas have lost their employment and as a result the Liberal plan to double infrastructure investment to $125 billion over 10 years is happening at the right time.
“With the need for investment in infrastructure from transportation to affordable housing, to infrastructure to protect us from changes in the climate and also investment in renewable energy, now really is the time to make those investments because we have labour available and low interest rates,” he said, adding increased investment will be divided between transportation, social needs and green technology. “But we will be looking very much to the provinces and municipalities to guide the priorities within those areas.”
NDP candidate Joanne Boissonneault said if elected her party will invest $1.3 billion each year over the next 20 years into infrastructure as part of a partnership with provinces and municipalities.
“We will invest in vital infrastructure in all areas, but also work with mayors and with each area to see what their needs are and get projects off the ground quicker,” Boissonneault said. “We will work with premiers across Canada to better invest in the future of our provinces and bring back democracy and work together as a team rather than control from the top.”
She said having a close working relationship with municipalities in this riding is important to her as the area’s elected representative in Ottawa.
“Partially, why I am involved is I really believe in teamwork and it is time to effect change,” Boissonneault said.
Specifically, she said transit investments are important for the riding when it comes to infrastructure – making it easier to get around and taking action on climate change.
Green Party candidate Mike MacDonald said his party has a thorough platform to lead the country forward and that includes how to fund infrastructure.
“In terms of infrastructure and the current state, I think that with the slowdown in the economy and officially being in a recession, those are times to get people employed,” MacDonald said. “It is a time when construction costs can actually be less on the public purse, so it is a good time to put people to work.”
He said public transportation is an obvious area for the Green Party to invest and putting money towards municipalities to develop pedestrian and bicycle infrastructure is also a priority.
“In terms of investing in our future, I hope most people can see now we need to be moving toward renewable energy,” he added. “We are proposing that we shift the economy, so we can move away from non-renewables to renewables, but that will take time.
“It is a burgeoning market and if we send market signals in that direction, we put grants and geared taxation that is favourable toward renewables, then that market will grow.”
MacDonald said taxpayers have been subsidizing non-renewable energy through public funding for years and it is time to let that industry stand on its own and encourage a different industry to flourish, including wind and solar farms and micro-generation.
