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www.insideHALTON.com · OAKVILLE BEAVER Wednesday, September 19, 2012 · 4 Municipalities need help with infrastructure cash By Julia Le METROLAND WEST MEDIA GROUP In 2014, $2 billion in federal funding for municipal infrastructure is set to expire, Halton Regional councillors heard last week. That news was shared by Halton Hills Councillor Clark Somerville at Regional council Wednesday. What's worrisome, he said during the meeting, is what it could mean for municipalities across Canada. Somerville shared how the municipal infrastructure deficit is currently more than $123 billion. To eradicate that deficit, he said, each household in Canada would have to contribute about $13,500 to build and maintain roads, water systems and other infrastructure in need of repair. $360 HIGHER 1 Up to Get savings Get High Def and High Speed together and save. 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At the expiration of the 12-month period, the then current monthly rate will apply. This offer is valid if the customer subscribes to Home Phone and HD TV. Regular Modem rental included. 5. Download speeds can vary with Internet traffic, remote peers, your network configuration, the use of wireless equipment and other factors. Somerville also reported federal and provincial infrastructure support is necessary to help slow down the decline of cities and communities. The councillor then put a motion forward asking Regional council to endorse a Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) campaign that encourages the federal government to keep its commitment of replacing the programs set to expire by developing a long-term plan for municipal infrastructure funding. The motion, which also backs a plan to urge the Ministry of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities to work with FCM to ensure the new plan meets the core infrastructure needs of cities and communities, was unanimously supported. A copy of the resolution will be sent to the appropriate government officials, local MPs, the FCM, the Association of Municipalities Ontario, municipal councils in Oakville, Burlington, Milton and Halton Hills. Somerville, who's an FCM board member, said the organization recently released the first nationwide study of infrastructure, detailing the conditions of municipal roads and the systems that manage drinking water, wastewater and stormwater. The key finding was that Canada's municipal infrastructure is at risk, with more than half of municipal roads requiring significant repairs and one in four wastewater plants needing major upgrades. Over the next year, FCM plans to lobby the government to ensure the new plan reflects the infrastructure priorities of the cities and communities across the country. "The federal government and provincial government has always been involved in municipal infrastructure and we need their help," Somerville told The Oakville Beaver after the council meeting. "We can't do it alone," he said. "Municipalities only collect eight cents out of every tax dollar. We own 60 per cent of all the infrastructure out there," said Somerville. He said over the past few years, federal infrastructure funding has helped upgrade the Skyway Wastewater Treatment Plan in Burlington and Tremaine Road and he's counting on the government to continue assisting with the growth of a "relatively young" region. For more information about FCM's campaign, visit www.fcm.ca.