Scott Pearce, president of the Federation of Canadian Municipalities, was speaking at a news conference in Ottawa ahead of the spring budget to call on the federal government for more infrastructure money.
Canada's largest cities are asking the Trudeau government to help cover tens of millions in transit revenue shortfalls to prevent stalling of the country's economic recovery.
The federal Liberals have introduced legislation to provide $7.2 billion to cash-strapped provinces, territories and municipalities, with more than half slated for immediate health-care needs.
Canada's municipalities are asking the federal government to include $7 billion in its upcoming budget for cities and housing providers to buy disused properties and quickly turn them into affordable housing.
Members of the 'Big-City Mayors Caucus' of the Federation of Canadian Municipalities says they are looking for “signals” in the next federal budget for “full and fair cost-sharing to move transit and other projects forward.”