I think there's no question that the cities and towns in this country are the engines of the economy, whether they are big cities like Toronto, Vancouver, Calgary, etc., or the smaller towns in the rural areas. They are the places where Canadians are employed. They are the places where production is most significant, and they are the places where there is creativity and innovation in the economy. The strength of the municipal sector, the capacities in the municipalities, and the infrastructure that is the foundation for the operations within a municipality are essential to the economic viability of this country.
On May 23rd, 2013. See this statement in context.