Do I have 20 minutes to answer that question?
As you say, it's complicated. I think part of the problem is in communication. Communication is always an issue, but communication between the three orders of government can sometimes be prohibitive, especially when you're talking about potential funding opportunities that would trickle down to municipalities.
It's not to say that the province doesn't have a role to play in funding opportunities, but oftentimes, if federal funding goes to the province and then it gets doled out to municipalities from the province, it bundles up the process. It makes it difficult sometimes. It has certainly been the case in New Brunswick, especially around infrastructure funding, for example. That has been problematic in the province of New Brunswick for the last little while.
Communication is one thing, but it's the complexity of the issue. In housing, or if you're talking about public health and safety, these aren't quick fixes, and it's difficult to know exactly how to approach those issues strategically and then through those three orders of government.
I don't know how to answer that question adequately, but I think the communication piece is an important one. Maybe if there was a funding opportunity that came directly from the federal government to municipalities, rather than through the province.... I know sometimes it has to happen, but anyway....