UBCM is adding its voice in support of a report by the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) indicating the need for a minimum of $10 billion in emergency operating funding, with an additional $2.4 billion for communities with transit systems, to be provided through a direct federal allocation to local governments. Local governments across the province are facing financial pressure due to a significant loss of variable revenues following on the implementation of COVID – 19 public health orders.
“This call for federal support to local governments builds on the property tax measures introduced by the province to provide short term liquidity and ease the burden on the small businesses,” said Mayor Maja Tait, Union of B.C. Municipalities president. “All indications point to anti-COVID-19 measures being in place for several more months. The losses local governments are incurring are permanent, and I fully support this call for emergency operating funding to safeguard the essential services local governments provide and support economic recovery.”
UBCM has been in regular communication throughout the COVID-19 emergency to share information on the challenges facing B.C.'s communities. FCM’s data report recommends that the delivery of funds be undertaken with a model similar to the Federal Gas Tax Fund and without additional provincial funding, both points supported by UBCM.
Those with questions or comments about this call for emergency funding may contact Paul Taylor, Director of Communications.
No comments:
Post a Comment