Thank you, Madam Chair and committee members.
First of all, I'm here representing the Federation of Canadian Municipalities. We represent 2,000 communities across the country from coast to coast to coast. FCM is the national voice for Canada's municipalities across the country. We also deliver the green municipal fund, in strategic partnership with the federal government, and numerous international development programs that help advance Canada’s trade diversification and broader geopolitical objectives.
My name is Tim Tierney, and I represent the Beacon Hill-Cyrville ward.
I am a proud city councillor here in Ottawa and the incoming president of FCM.
Canada is at a defining moment, and municipalities are here to rise to the challenge. We are building and maintaining roads, water and sewer systems, transit, and community infrastructure, and we're enabling new housing and economic growth. We are also responding every day to the growing problems of the homelessness crisis that's unfolding within communities of every size from coast to coast.
We want our message here to be clear: The 2026 budget must strengthen the partnership between all orders of government, invest at pace and scale in the local infrastructure and help us power Canada. We must also work together to end the homelessness crisis.
Budget 2025 took an important step forward through the creation of the build communities strong fund. It recognizes what municipalities have long understood: that local infrastructure is the backbone of the Canadian economy and is essential to meeting national priorities. Municipalities are ready to build. Be it building housing, strengthening our trade corridors, improving productivity, supporting defence resiliency or enhancing climate resilience, success depends on local infrastructure. Municipalities own and maintain 60% of Canada's infrastructure, yet we receive 8% of the total tax revenues collected by Canada.
The winding down of the investing in Canada infrastructure program creates an urgent need to renew long-term investment. Specifically, FCM is calling for the federal government to scale up dedicated municipal infrastructure investments through the build communities strong fund and to work with the provinces and territories to maintain and expand the infrastructure previously delivered through the ICIP.
We specifically recommend the significant acceleration of the direct delivery and community streams of the BCSF, which will ensure that the partnerships from provinces and territories are dedicated to municipal allocations. Canadians know that the net of the infrastructure is offset by the existing available funding that is delivered to communities. This matters because the infrastructure delivers the results. Every dollar that's invested in municipalities generates $1.8 billion of impact to the Canadian economy and supports 9,000 jobs.
Rural and northern Canada cannot be left behind. With more than $108 billion in rural assets in poor or very poor condition, securing dedicated funding for rural and northern municipalities under the build communities strong fund is essential.
When it comes to homelessness, this conversation is not only about economic growth and job creation; it is about the quality of life and dignity of Canadians. Homelessness across Canada has increased by 20% in the last decade. In rural, northern, remote, suburban and urban communities alike, local governments are responding to the growing encampments, the rising shelter demands and the increased pressures on emergency community services.
Mayors and councillors are doing everything they can, but municipalities can't solve this on their own. Canada needs a renewal of the national housing strategy, with a much stronger focus on homelessness and homelessness prevention.
This national crisis requires an ongoing national response. Communities need stable and predictable funding. The Reaching Home program should have an additional $3.5 billion in permanent annual funding indexed to inflation.
Stopping people from falling into homelessness is the first key to success, and it's why we're calling for a renewal of investment in non-market housing, supportive housing, portable housing benefits, and prevention-focused programs. To tackle homelessness, we must recognize that housing, health care, mental health, addictions, justice, and social services are all connected. Municipalities are ready to work with the federal government, the provinces, the territories, indigenous partners and community organizations to make sure all Canadians have a place to call home.
In conclusion, budget 2026 is an opportunity to match local ambition with national leadership by investing in local infrastructure through the build communities strong fund.
I look forward to any questions you have for us today.