David Olive of the Toronto Star coins a new term for the “disdain leaders in senior levels of government have for cities” – and it’s a very good one. “North America is unique in its traditional denigration of cities,” he writes, adding that: “The phenomenon is especially pronounced in Canada …” Boy, the America’s senior leadership seems to really revile it’s cities too. But one thing is for sure, Canada’s urban journalists are a whole lot better than their U.S. counterparts. Come to think of it: Are there any urban journalists writing for major U.S. dailies?
The full story is here.
November 26th, 2007 at 10:43 pm
I agree with Olive that cities and metro areas are starving for funds to repair and replace aging infrastructure as well add new facilities. However, I don’t think it’s lack of concern from federal politicians that’s the main culprit — at least not in Canada.
The issue is the political structure. As Olive himself says, cities are creatures of the provinces. The federal government cannot hand money directly to municipal mayors even if they wanted to do so (and I think the Paul Martin government desperately wanted to do this). They have to give it to the provincial governments and at that stage it goes into general revenue and may or may not end up helping urban infrastructure.
Cities need another source of revenue. Or, the country needs a constitutional change to allow cities to receive a percentage of the GST (goods and services tax) or the gas tax collected within their boundaries.
But, just ask any Canadian if they want yet another constitutional discussion and referendum and most will roll their eyes and beg for mercy.