Good morning, Ms. Block and gentlemen.
Our second recommendation relates to a long-term strategic approach to address the municipal infrastructure deficit. Rehabilitating and renewing municipal infrastructure is critical to the long-term health of our provincial and national economies.
Insufficient funding over the long term has resulted in unmet local infrastructure needs across Saskatchewan communities, estimated to be in the range of $4 billion. SUMA believes that an integral component of the solution to the infrastructure deficit is the development of a nationally coordinated long-term strategy for infrastructure investment. The City of Regina's mayor, Pat Fiacco, has made a proposal for a national infrastructure summit, of which some of you may be aware.
There will be an opportunity over the next two years, while the current funding commitments are being delivered, to develop a national strategy. It is vital that the 2010 federal budget allocate funding to lead the development of this strategy.
Our third recommendation is for the federal government to work with the provinces and municipalities to address the issue of affordable housing. I should tell you that this is a priority for SUMA and for the Saskatchewan City Mayors' Caucus this year in working with our provincial government.
The federal government has made considerable investment in affordable housing renovations this year. These renovation dollars are needed, but it is time for the federal government to lead discussions with provinces and municipalities to identify how best to tackle the issue of housing. In our growing province, this is a key issue.
Our fourth recommendation is that the federal government extend recently expired transit investments and develop a fully funded national transit plan. Working in collaboration with municipalities, a national transit plan could make a significant impact in our fight to combat climate change. Canada is the only G8 country without a long-term national transit plan.
I will turn this back to President Earle.