Thank you, Mr. Chair and members of the committee.
Our CEO, Brock Carlton, will be saying a few words in French as well.
It is a privilege to be here today to share the important role that municipalities play across Canada and the role that the FCM plays in representing these cities and communities on national issues. The FCM is a very large organization and represents about 90% of the Canadian population.
Some of our key points are included in our written submission as well.
As governments fight the recession and turn stimulus dollars into new jobs, we must also start planning for the post-recession world. Together we must ensure that Canada comes out of the economic crisis stronger. This won't be easy.
While there are signs of a global recovery, no one knows how fast or how complete the recovery will be. After the decade of record-setting surpluses, federal and provincial governments will confront a new wave of budget deficits. The problems we faced before the recession, from homelessness to climate change, will remain, but with fewer resources to solve them. How do we position Canada to succeed? How do we put the economy on the road to growth while minimizing the burden to taxpayers?
Strong, vibrant cities and communities are essential to the answer. Cities and communities provide the public infrastructure services that attract and retain skilled workers, employers, and investors. Canada cannot compete or maintain its quality of life without healthy cities and communities.
Mr. Carlton.