(See Item 6.2)
Whereas Canada’s recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic will depend on municipalities as the order of government closest to the places where people live, work, thrive and struggle;
And whereas, Canada’s federal-municipal partnership is supporting Canadians through this pandemic by: delivering rapid housing solutions for vulnerable Canadians, expanding federal funding to bring reliable internet to rural Canadians, and keeping vital municipal services running strong through the Safe Restart Agreement;
And whereas, the pandemic has exposed longstanding inequalities and the need for a recovery that builds on our federal-municipal partnership to create jobs, promote inclusion and increase resilience to the next threat, whether it’s a virus or climate change;
Therefore be it resolved, that the City of Brampton endorses the Federation of Canadian Municipalities’ recommendations for a green and inclusive economic recovery, Building back better together, which empowers local leaders to deliver results for Canadians on the ground while continuing to protect the frontline services they rely on, including:
• Building an inclusive recovery—where we create jobs and promote equality, by urgently scaling up the new Rapid Housing Initiative to end chronic homelessness in Canada, growing our affordable housing supply to prevent the flow into homelessness, and investing in community, cultural and recreational infrastructure to promote social inclusion;
• Building a green recovery that creates jobs and moves Canada closer to a net-zero emissions economy, by continuing to invest in efficient public transit, scaling up proven local initiatives that reduce GHG emissions and build communities’ resilience to climate change; and
• Building a resilient partnership that matches our modern role in supporting Canadians and our economy, by ensuring municipal operating support continues as COVID-19 impacts stretch through 2021, directly empowering rural communities through new investments in rural transportation and housing, and doubling the federal Gas Tax Fund allocation over three years through a new Municipal Economic Recovery Fund;
And further that staff report back and identify opportunities to align, integrate and provide specific examples of how FCMs Building Back Better Together supports advancing Brampton’s priorities through the Municipal Economic Recovery Fund; inclusive and green recovery lenses;
And further that staff together with the elected FCM Board Member from Brampton, engage with FCM to ensure that specific examples are highlighted and promoted by FCM through their ongoing advocacy;
And further, that copies of this resolution be sent to Peel-area MPs, MPPs and FCM.