WHEREAS the Federation of Canadian Municipalities has worked for years lobbying the Federal Government of Canada to create greater financial capacity for municipalities; AND WHEREAS the quality of life of Canadians is largely determined by the prosperity of our cities and communities; AND WHEREAS in the 2004 Speech from the Throne, the Prime Minister committed to a New Deal for Canadas municipalities, which is to include raising the GST rebate for municipalities to 100 percent and working with provinces to share a portion of the gas tax revenues with municipalities: THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Union of BC Municipalities strongly encourage prompt implementation of the New Deal for Canadian local governments.
MINISTRY OF COMMUNITY, ABORIGINAL AND WOMENS SERVICES The Premier of British Columbia has written to the Prime Minister indicating the provinces strong support for a federal New Deal to help communities in BC manage the issues they face. In preparation for future discussions with the federal government, the Province is working with UBCM to help define the details of the BCs New Deal. This effort has already produced a draft set of principles that include stable and predictable long-term funding for local government.