Archived - Minister Morneau Promotes Cooperation Between Federal Government and Municipalities

May 12, 2016 – Québec, Quebec – Department of Finance Canada

Finance Minister Bill Morneau was in Québec today, where he spoke at the Union des municipalités du Québec’s (UMQ) Annual Conference and took part in a panel discussion.

Speaking to mayors and community leaders, Minister Morneau underlined the importance of the federal government, provinces and municipalities working together, citing public infrastructure as a primary example for a collaborative approach. The Public Transit Infrastructure Fund, of which the Province of Quebec will receive $924 million, will help ease traffic congestion so that people can get to and from work faster and spend more time with their loved ones.

The Government will also be investing in green infrastructure, which includes $75 million in new funding to address climate change, to be delivered by the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM), and another $125 million over two years to enhance the FCM’s Green Municipal Fund.

Minister Morneau also highlighted investments in affordable housing. In collaboration with Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation, the Government will establish an Affordable Rental Housing Innovation Fund, which will test new ways to encourage more construction of affordable rental housing. The Government is also looking forward to consulting on a new National Housing Strategy.

Minister Morneau highlighted that Budget 2016 reaffirms the Government’s commitment to growing the middle class through measures such as the introduction of the Canada Child Benefit, which will put more money in the pockets of parents who need it most to help with everything from paying for soccer camp, to buying healthier food and purchasing new summer clothes.

Daniel Lauzon
Director of Communications
Office of the Minister of Finance
613-369-5696

Jack Aubry
Media Relations
Department of Finance Canada
613-369-4000