Thank you, Fred.
Our final recommendation is for the federal government to avoid downloading responsibilities onto municipal governments without the required funds to cover the costs. Specifically, SUMA is referring to the new standards for treatment of waste water that have been endorsed by the federal environment minister and many of his provincial and territorial counterparts. Along with FCM, we are looking for the federal government to underwrite and coordinate with provinces, territories, and municipalities a strategy to fully fund these new standards.
The urban municipal sector is an important stakeholder in creating business opportunities and fostering economic development, and we thank you for the opportunity to submit our recommendations for the 2010 federal budget. I know that you will seriously consider the proposals presented and work to ensure that municipalities are fairly represented in the next federal budget.
Thank you.