Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank the opposition whip for his warm welcome. It is nice to see Nova Scotians here today. I appreciate his question, because a similar question was raised earlier.
I will quote from the Federation of Canadian Municipalities:
Municipalities build, own and maintain the majority of this country's infrastructure--infrastructure that supports our global competitiveness and enviable quality of life.
Earlier there was a comment to the effect that we are going to give some loans to these guys. Loans will not cut it. Both smaller municipalities and larger municipalities need funding from government to continue to maintain the majority of this country's infrastructure.
Canada's infrastructure deficit continues to grow because municipalities lack the resources and the fiscal tools they need to deal with infrastructure needs and to meet a growing list of responsibilities that now include immigration, housing and the environment.