H
heckles2
Guest
What do you guys think about this Globe article?
www.theglobeandmail.com/s.../National/
Martin promises new deal for cities
By ALLISON DUNFIELD
Globe and Mail Update
Paul Martin reiterated his commitment to a new deal for cities Wednesday, a few days before taking over the helm of the Liberal party.
Although he has two days to go before taking over the leadership, politicians and interest groups are lining up to woo the future prime minister.
Everyone from the mayor-elect of Toronto to the Premier of Canada's smallest province to the right-wing think tank the Fraser Institute are clamouring for Mr. Martin's attention. He has sewn up the leadership and will be named Liberal leader at the Toronto convention Friday after voting wraps up.
Mr. Martin, who has been promising a new fiscal deal for urban areas, said Wednesday when he arrived at the convention that he believes it's important to “have a new understanding with the cities.â€
He said he wants to meet with the provinces and cities to examine the issues. Cities are where the most economic activity takes place, Mr. Martin said, adding that they are also where the majority of social problems occur.
He said he hopes to see the best possible deal with provinces and urban centres.
Toronto mayor-elect David Miller, who was elected Monday night, said Wednesday that now is a unique time in history for the federal government of Mr. Martin to address the needs of Canadian cities.
“Today, 80 per cent of Canadians live in cities. And I know Paul Martin understands this. And I know [Ontario Premier] Dalton McGuinty and other premiers understand it. I think there's a once-in-a-lifetime chance today to radically change how the cities are funded and their relationship with the federal government and the provincial government,†he said in an interview with CBC Newsworld.
“The tide is too strong to turn back, and I think that's why Mr. Martin has recognized this and spoken about an urban agenda for at least the past year.â€
Canada needs a new urban agenda and investment in things such as housing, public transit, and services for immigrants, Mr. Miller said.
Immigration, in particular, has become very important for urban centres such as Toronto, he said.
“The federal government has now said it wants an immigration settlement agreement with the province of Ontario. Well, the province of Ontario accepts more immigrants than virtually any other province, let alone any other city. We need a seat at that table. I think it's incumbent upon the mayor of Toronto to lead a charge of mayors across this country,†Mr. Miller said.
He said urban communities are governing themselves under laws developed before confederation and need tools to modernize the way they are run.
The provinces, too, are hopeful that Mr. Martin will be receptive to their needs. Mr. Martin is holding an informal meeting with the premiers at the Grey Cup game in Regina on Nov. 16.
PEI Premier Pat Binns said in an interview with Newsworld that provinces are hoping to receive commitment on the $2-billion for health care promised to them by the Liberal government. Finance Minister John Manley has committed the funds for health care next year as long as the government maintains a surplus.
“We just want it sooner rather than later, and we think the federal government can do that,†Mr. Martin said.
Along with cities and premiers, right-wing think tank the Fraser Institute released a checklist of issues that it feels Mr. Martin must address.
Most importantly, the Vancouver-based institute says Mr. Martin must act to improve Canada's economic standing in the global marketplace.
“Canada has failed to keep pace with the rest of the world,†said Fred McMahon, senior analyst at the Fraser Institute, in a statement. The policy makers suggest Mr. Martin work to reduce taxation and improve trade within Canada, as well as internationally.
www.theglobeandmail.com/s.../National/
Martin promises new deal for cities
By ALLISON DUNFIELD
Globe and Mail Update
Paul Martin reiterated his commitment to a new deal for cities Wednesday, a few days before taking over the helm of the Liberal party.
Although he has two days to go before taking over the leadership, politicians and interest groups are lining up to woo the future prime minister.
Everyone from the mayor-elect of Toronto to the Premier of Canada's smallest province to the right-wing think tank the Fraser Institute are clamouring for Mr. Martin's attention. He has sewn up the leadership and will be named Liberal leader at the Toronto convention Friday after voting wraps up.
Mr. Martin, who has been promising a new fiscal deal for urban areas, said Wednesday when he arrived at the convention that he believes it's important to “have a new understanding with the cities.â€
He said he wants to meet with the provinces and cities to examine the issues. Cities are where the most economic activity takes place, Mr. Martin said, adding that they are also where the majority of social problems occur.
He said he hopes to see the best possible deal with provinces and urban centres.
Toronto mayor-elect David Miller, who was elected Monday night, said Wednesday that now is a unique time in history for the federal government of Mr. Martin to address the needs of Canadian cities.
“Today, 80 per cent of Canadians live in cities. And I know Paul Martin understands this. And I know [Ontario Premier] Dalton McGuinty and other premiers understand it. I think there's a once-in-a-lifetime chance today to radically change how the cities are funded and their relationship with the federal government and the provincial government,†he said in an interview with CBC Newsworld.
“The tide is too strong to turn back, and I think that's why Mr. Martin has recognized this and spoken about an urban agenda for at least the past year.â€
Canada needs a new urban agenda and investment in things such as housing, public transit, and services for immigrants, Mr. Miller said.
Immigration, in particular, has become very important for urban centres such as Toronto, he said.
“The federal government has now said it wants an immigration settlement agreement with the province of Ontario. Well, the province of Ontario accepts more immigrants than virtually any other province, let alone any other city. We need a seat at that table. I think it's incumbent upon the mayor of Toronto to lead a charge of mayors across this country,†Mr. Miller said.
He said urban communities are governing themselves under laws developed before confederation and need tools to modernize the way they are run.
The provinces, too, are hopeful that Mr. Martin will be receptive to their needs. Mr. Martin is holding an informal meeting with the premiers at the Grey Cup game in Regina on Nov. 16.
PEI Premier Pat Binns said in an interview with Newsworld that provinces are hoping to receive commitment on the $2-billion for health care promised to them by the Liberal government. Finance Minister John Manley has committed the funds for health care next year as long as the government maintains a surplus.
“We just want it sooner rather than later, and we think the federal government can do that,†Mr. Martin said.
Along with cities and premiers, right-wing think tank the Fraser Institute released a checklist of issues that it feels Mr. Martin must address.
Most importantly, the Vancouver-based institute says Mr. Martin must act to improve Canada's economic standing in the global marketplace.
“Canada has failed to keep pace with the rest of the world,†said Fred McMahon, senior analyst at the Fraser Institute, in a statement. The policy makers suggest Mr. Martin work to reduce taxation and improve trade within Canada, as well as internationally.
