Mayors seek federal funding for downtowns at Edmonton conference

Mayors of Canada's largest cities are calling for the federal government to focus on infrastructure, homelessness, and organized crime and extortion in its next budget to support stronger downtowns and economic growth. The Big City Mayors' Caucus, representing 23 of Canada's largest cities, announced the three priorities at the Federation of Canadian Municipalities conference in Edmonton on June 4. "Canada's economic success depends on vibrant downtowns, where housing, public safety, mobility and infrastructure work together to create places of opportunity, foster civic pride, support local businesses, and build strong, connected communities," caucus chair Josh Morgan said in a release.

The mayors want the federal government to enhance the Canada Public Transit Fund and the community stream of the Build Communities Strong Fund so cities have predictable and stable revenue to support growth. They also want help to decrease homelessness, noting that cities are driving innovative solutions but need sustained or increased funding to meet the challenge. The mayors want the federal government to invest $3.5 billion annually to reduce chronic homelessness by at least 50% by 2030, and to ensure homelessness prevention and response are central to an updated national housing strategy. They also called on the federal government to establish an intergovernmental working group with frontline experts to coordinate Housing First solutions.

The final priority is to tackle organized crime and an increase in illicit drug supply, gun violence, and extortion. The caucus wants the federal government to enhance the Building Safer Communities Fund to scale community-led crime prevention models to end gun and gang violence and to establish a table to bring together experts from the federal departments of public safety, immigration, and justice with municipal sector partners to better understand and address organized crime. "This should include consideration of international best practices, immigration pathways, and enforcement gaps, so communities feel safe," Mayor Andrew Knack said at the news conference. The conference continues until June 7.