Robertson: I've been very, very busy

Possible rejected headline: "Mayor looks forward to busy week in Ottawa."

MEMORANDUM January 15, 2009

TO: Vancouver City Council

FROM: Mayor’s Office

SUBJECT: Big City Mayors’ Caucus

This memo is to provide a summary of the work that Mayor Robertson has taken in preparation for the Federation of Canadian Municipalities’ Big City Mayors’ Caucus, which is taking place this week, from January 14-15 in Ottawa. This year’s Caucus is particularly important, as there is an opportunity to lobby for urban infrastructure funding in advance of the federal budget on January 27.

The Mayor is of the view that it is important for Metro Vancouver to speak with a clear voice when lobbying on the national stage. That is why Mayor Robertson, in conjunction with Surrey Mayor Dianne Watts, has taken steps to bring Metro Vancouver mayors together, in an effort to find common priorities.

In mid-December, Mayor Robertson convened a meeting with the mayors of Metro Vancouver, north of the Fraser River. This meeting provided an opportunity for discussion about common funding priorities and objectives in advance of the federal budget. Mayor Watts has consulted with the south of Fraser River mayors.

Mayor Robertson’s meeting helped develop clarity around two key funding objectives: transportation and housing. The North of Fraser mayors agreed that the focus of lobbying the federal government in advance of the budget should be on transportation, which could contain funding for rapid transit and greenway projects; as well as on affordable housing.

Mayor Robertson has submitted a letter to the federal government outlining these funding priorities. It stresses that each municipality has its own preferences, but that the overall regional preference is to see funding for transportation and housing projects, as these have the ability to be started quickly, would provide immediate investment into the local economy, and would help meet municipal needs.

The Mayor has also had conversations in the past weeks with Stockwell Day, Minister of International Trade, and James Moore, Minister of Canadian Heritage. These conversations have focussed on federal funding for potential infrastructure projects in Vancouver and the region, and the Mayor has stressed the desire from Metro Vancouver mayors to see infrastructure investment in transportation and housing.

As part of the Big City Mayors’ Caucus, Mayor Robertson will be meeting with members of the Government, the Opposition, and Parliament. The Mayor’s meetings include:

• Jim Flaherty, Minister of Finance
• Stockwell Day, Minister of International Trade
• John Baird, Minister for Transport, Infrastructure and Communities
• Michael Ignatieff, Liberal Leader of the Opposition (by phone)
• Martha Hall Findlay, Liberal Opposition Critic for Cities and Communities
• Jack Layton, Leader of the NDP

There will also be an update from the Mayor on his participation at the Big City Mayors’ Caucus at the next council meeting.

Office of the Mayor