With the budget coming next week from the federal government, one big question is whether, or what, Ottawa will has in store for Canada’s biggest cities. Traditionally, urban centres haven’t been a priority for the Conservative government, which a) talks a big game about respecting the constitution when it keeps them from doing something they don’t want to do, and b) doesn’t have a lot to win, especially in the big three cities of Vancouver, Toronto and Montreal. Nevertheless, the mayors of Canada’s big cities do have a list of things they’d like to see from Ottawa. Well, everyone except Rob Ford, who responded to the Globe and Mail’s inquiry with a three-word email: “Respect for taxpayers.” Undaunted, the reporter rounded up the mayors of other cities and got their hopes for next week.
While we would love to see all of these things in next week’s Conservative plan, we expect the budget will have much, much less than is needed for infrastructure spending, and absolutely nothing in terms of permanent funding for cities. (Prove us wrong, Prime Minister!) As for respect, the Conservatives are trawling for votes in cities, so some symbolic gesture might be just what the electoral doctor ordered. We’ll find out for sure on Tuesday. Stay tuned.
• Canada’s big-city mayors are wondering: After the stimulus, what’s next? [Globe and Mail]
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