• In the global context, cities are the new drivers of the national economy;
• Cities are capable of living within their means, but their means must reflect the wealth that they create;
• Cities are ready and able to unleash their creative potential, for the benefit of all Canadians.

Hosted jointly by renowned author and urban economist Jane Jacobs and Winnipeg Mayor Glen Murray, the C5 gathered Canada's five hub cities - Canada's primary economic engines and the traditional gateways to the economic regions of the country. Calgary Mayor Al Duerr, Vancouver Mayor Philip Owen, Montreal Mayor Pierre Bourque, Toronto Mayor Mel Lastman and Winnipeg Mayor Glen Murray were joined by a delegation representing a broad range of interests from their respective cities.

The event was launched by Jane Jacobs, one of the most influential thinkers of our time on the subject of urban life and economies who challenged the C5 participants to join together with their counterparts from cities across Canada in their quest for a new deal for Canada's urban regions.

The mayors agreed that the funding system for cities, which for over a century has perpetuated dependency, has hampered their ability to govern effectively." Cities are the wealth generators of this country ,' said Mayor Al Duerr, " all of Canada depends on our cities and their ability to flourish. "

"We need a new deal for cities, " said Glen Murray " one that enables us to unleash the tremendous creative potential for addressing our problems directly." The Mayors focused particularly on areas of shared concern including public transportation, assisted housing and other fundamental infrastructure needs.

Delegates accompanying the Mayors representing the business, labour, social services, and civil society sectors discussed a wide variety of urban challenges, and ways to enhance their capacity to govern.

"Collectively we represent one third of this country's population and a much higher percentage of its gross domestic product" said Mayor Mel Lastman." We take seriously our obligation to the citizens who have elected us. " he added.

"We must develop a sustainable approach to managing growth and addressing our pressing challenges ," said Mayor Bourque.

The Mayors agreed to undertake the following :

• To strike a working group that would undertake research on the benefits of reinvesting in cities, best practices in place across the country, and a preferred alignment of appropriate funding sources and expenditure responsibilities;
• To explore ways to engage the citizens in participating;
• To adopt a position of mutual advocacy;
• To encourage partnerships with the business community, labour and civil society groups to support the empowerment of cities.

" Our experience with partnerships has shown that we as municipal leaders can develop public policy solutions that benefit the rest of the country. " said Mayor Philip Owen.

" One great achievement of this meeting was the Mayors' recognition that they are not in a zero sum game, " said Jacobs. " Their prosperity is interconnected - they need each other to do well, " she added.