October 15, 2009 - 8:47 am |
Posted by Jonathan Ross
Prime Minister Stephen Harper made a surprise visit to Vancouver on Tuesday, announcing more money that while belonging to the public, is being branded by the Conservative Party of Canada. The campaign style stop was only finalized over the weekend as soon as it became known within the PMO that Michael Ignatieff was poised to deliver a speech to the Vancouver Board of Trade.
Stephen Harper announces funding for the Vancouver South Shore Trade Area this past Tuesday.
So what was lone NPA City Councillor Suzanne Anton doing with Harper after the announcement?
Read the rest of this entry »
September 22, 2009 - 4:42 pm |
Posted by Jonathan Ross
Michael Ignatieff and his pledge to increase the gas tax transfer (although in fairness, the increase is ambiguous at this point).
Ignatieff is going to lean hard on the gas tax to pump up his electoral fortunes with municipal politicians across the country
“We would enable our cities and communities to invest in transit and water systems—and we’d do it by permanently increasing the gas tax transfer. We’d flow money right through the municipalities, to the people on the ground who know where the money is needed most—in community infrastructure. Economic development in our regions depends on building networks of broadband, bridges, and asphalt.”
The funding increase is one thing. But the flow through of these funds straight to the municipalities without federal or provincial bureaucrats in the way might even be bigger than the cash, however.
Let’s give round one to Ignatieff.
It must be noted in advance that Harper doesn’t like the cities and seems to have little time for them fiscally, thereby most likely trumping him from any municipal points awarded throughout the entire fight.
September 9, 2009 - 3:52 pm |
Posted by Jonathan Ross
Canada remains as the only OECD nation without a federal policy that ensures long-term, predictable transit investment.
With 61% of all operating costs for Canadian transit coming from passengers in the form of fares, Canada is severely lagging behind in terms of what their governments are contributing:
A substantial gap in government funding for Canadian transit when compared to other countries
According to the Canadian Urban Transit Association (CUTA), between 2006 and 2010, there was a $20.7 billion national transit infrastructure deficit when it comes to fulfilling the basic requirements according to population.
These are compelling figures, giving Metro Vancouver’s mayors plenty of fodder for the upcoming federal election campaign. Here are five strategies that the Mayors should consider to not only engage the public, but also to secure firm commitments from the leaders of the two main federal parties. Read the rest of this entry »
Interview with TheCommentary.ca
October 13, 2009 - 8:37 am | 0 Comments Posted by Jonathan RossI just did an interview with Joseph Planta over at TheCommentary.ca for his Planta: On The Line interview program, talking about the widespread renewal of interest in municipal politics, my take on CityCaucus.com, my views on Vision Vancouver, and the future of Michael Ignatieff as leader of the Liberal party, amongst other topics.
You can listen to the interview here.