WINNIPEG, MB - September 11, 2012 - Mayor Attends National Infrastructure Summit.
Mayor Sam Katz is today participating in the 2012 National Infrastructure Summit hosted by Regina Mayor Pat Fiacco to seek municipal infrastructure solutions.
Municipalities everywhere are reporting that their infrastructure is at risk, with municipal roads, bridges, water systems, and community facilities requiring upgrades and repairs. Today, the Federation of Canadian Municipalities will release the first-ever Canadian Municipal Infrastructure Report Card to make clear the state and performance of municipal infrastructure.
"Our public infrastructure keeps us safe and forms the very foundation of our city," said Mayor Katz. "Unfortunately, much of Winnipeg's infrastructure was built more than 60 years ago. Without immediate attention, the cost of fixing these assets will balloon out of reach for the generations to follow us."
The Mayor noted that only eight cents of every tax dollar collected in Winnipeg flows to the municipality.
"The City of Winnipeg simply doesn't have the resources to address all its infrastructure needs," said Mayor Katz." City Council has made real progress in funding community centres, building new emergency services facilities, and upgrading our roads and bridges. Even so, we find ourselves at a tipping point. Either we invest in infrastructure, or we stand by as the repair bill increases, along with the possibility of a serious infrastructure failure."
The Association of Manitoba Municipalities is also participating in the National Infrastructure Summit. President Doug Dobrowolski says municipalities are reporting the same challenges all over. "Manitoba municipalities have identified both core infrastructure, like roads, bridges, water and sewer, and recreation infrastructure as key for them to be competitive," he said.
Mayor Katz has previously proposed that the Canadian government create a dedicated revenue source to allow municipalities to take a comprehensive, long-term approach to infrastructure. He has also proposed increasing the city's share of the tax pie, which would allow the City of Winnipeg to plan, develop, build and maintain its public infrastructure stock.
To stretch its infrastructure dollars further, the City of Winnipeg has made good use of public-private partnerships (P3s). Later today, Mayor Katz will participate in a panel discussion on P3s with Paul Moist, National President of the Canadian Union of Public Employees, and John McBride, CEO of PPP Canada, from 11 a.m. - 12 p.m. CST.