Montréal's Federal Elections Expectations - "The federal government and Montréal must become true partners" - Denis Coderre

MONTRÉAL, Sept. 2, 2015 /CNW Telbec/ - Montréal Mayor Denis Coderre announced today what he expects from Canada's main parties in the run-up to the federal elections on October 19. Montréal's proposals concern nationwide issues that it shares with Canada's other big cities, plus local issues of vital importance to Québec's metropolis.

"As Canada's second-largest town, Montréal has specific expectations of the federal government, which plays vital roles in economic and social development. Federal spending on Montréal's infrastructure, public transit, affordable housing and public safety must be equal to the role our city plays in Canada's economy. Furthermore, I have invited the various candidates to take stands on issues of particular concern for many months, such as maintaining home mail delivery, eliminating planned tolls for the New Champlain Bridge and restoring municipal control over our Old Port. The federal and city governments must become true partners in resolving these issues, because they affect all Montrealers," Mr. Denis Coderre said.

Montréal's national proposals touch on four areas:

1) Public Transit
The last federal budget set aside additional investments of $1 B per year, as of 2019, for public transit projects in all Canadian municipalities. Such projects must be produced as public private partners under PPP-Canada. Funding would be awarded based on merit.

Montréal's Expectations :

• Ridership-based funding, which would generate $200 M annually for Montréal.
• Funding of projects specified by Montréal and the Québec Government, including the light rail link over the New Champlain Bridge and the West Island Commuter Line.
• Flexible project implementation.

2) Infrastructure
Canada's cities have huge infrastructural needs. In addition to annual funding of $5.35 B for 10 years in the 2014 Federal Budget, Canada's municipalities believe they need another $1.5 B annually to meet their needs. If additional funds are allocated based on population, Montréal would receive $342.5 M per year.

Montréal's Expectations :

• Dedicated, stable, predictable funding based on population size, which would generate $77 M more for Montréal.
• Tripartite (municipal-provincial-federal) discussions on projects concerning Montréal.

3) Social and Affordable Housing
Montréal needs social and affordable housing. Such projects help maintain a more heterogeneous and harmonious society, while reducing homelessness.

Montréal's Expectations :

• Recognition of the expertise that Montréal has acquired in this field on the ground by tripling (from $8 M to $24 M) funding for initiatives aimed at reducing homelessness, providing street work and psycho-social support, etc.
• Construction of new housing and renovation/maintenance of existing units, requiring funding equal to stated needs of at least $2.4 B for Canada as a whole, including $185 M for Montréal.

4) Vigilance
The mayor wants to hear what the political parties have to say about new public safety issues facing our cities and in particular, efforts to control violent radicalization. "Montréal has established an ambitious vigilance program that adopts such new approaches as our Centre to Prevent Violent Radicalization. Such initiatives are national in scope, which is why we need the federal government's support," Mr. Coderre noted.

Montréal's Expectations :

• The political parties' position on how they intend to assist Canada's cities in the area of public safety.
• Restoration of a Police Department Fund ($10 M/year for Montréal).
• New federal funding earmarked for Montréal's Centre to Prevent Violent Radicalization, equal to that provided to the Québec Government ($1 M, annually).

Montréal hopes the new federal government will, quite, simply drop Canada Post's plans to eliminate home delivery service. "Canada Post's unilateral decision deprives our residents of an essential service. It also hurts municipal development. The best thing the federal government could do is to get rid of this idea for good, as of October 20," said Mr. Coderre.

Montréal's mayor also asked the federal party leaders to give their view on several local issues:

Montréal's 375^th Anniversary: the federal government should contribute to the festivities and agree to keep the Jacques-Cartier Bridge up in lights permanently.

Champlain Bridge: Montréal does not want tolls on the new bridge.

Supervised Injection Sites (SIS): Montréal wants the federal government to comply with the Supreme Court's decision and grant waivers for the establishment of supervised injection sites.

Port of Montréal: In addition to restoring municipal control over its Old Port, Montréal wants federal assistance for renovating the Iberville Passenger Terminal and the Alexandra Pier so they can accommodate cruise ships.

Radio-Canada / CBC: Montréal, which is home to major facilities of this public broadcaster, is asking the federal government to promise to continue investing in Radio-Canada / CBC.

Montréal, International Metropolis: Montréal's membership in many international organizations gives Canada more global clout. The federal government should, accordingly, fund the attraction, retention and expansion of international organizations in Montréal.

Enbridge and Trans-Canada Pipelines: Montréal expects the federal government to comply with the decision of the National Energy Board and incorporate its recommendations in pipeline construction projects.

"Generally, I am asking the party leaders to describe the role they feel the federal government should play in Montréal's economic development. Such development is based on the presence of industrial clusters and of consortiums in highly specialized, state-of-the-art sectors such as aerospace, which help us draw investment and talent. We want the federal government to provide greater assistance to our industrial clusters, particularly in the aerospace sector. We also want the federal government to maintain, in Montréal, expertise on formulating economic development programs and policies, supported by adequate budgets," Mr. Coderre concluded.

You can download "Un plan pour Montréal : propositions de la métropole du Québec" at bit.ly/1LKWn8k

SOURCE Ville de Montréal - Cabinet du maire et du comité exécutif

Louis-Pascal Cyr, Director of Communications, Office of the Mayor and the Executive Committee, 514 207-5525