The mayors of B.C.香蕉视频直播檚 largest cities want the federal government to address some key issues facing urban areas.

On Sept. 8, less than two weeks before the Sept. 20 election, the B.C. Urban Mayors香蕉视频直播� Caucus released its calls to action for federal leaders to consider during this election season. The group is calling on the next Parliament to take action on key issues that urban areas face, including mental health and substance use, affordable housing, public transit, and the local government finance system.

The caucus, co-chaired by Kelowna Mayor Colin Basran and Victoria Mayor Lisa Helps, is asking for the federal government to keep urban issues in mind when they form government.

香蕉视频直播淥ur hope is that whichever party forms government, the platform promises are quickly turned into positive action that will benefit our residents and businesses in the throes of the fourth wave of the pandemic and through recovery,香蕉视频直播� Basran said.

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The caucus香蕉视频直播� calls to action largely focus on housing and include:

香蕉视频直播� Making the Rapid Housing Initiative permanent with at least a $2-billion investment a year until chronic homelessness is no longer an issue

香蕉视频直播� Implementing a non-market acquisition strategy so the non-profit sector can purchase low-end-of-market rental buildings and preserve them as affordable

香蕉视频直播� Developing and funding an urban, rural and northern Indigenous strategy so urban Indigenous organizations can provide culturally supportive housing

香蕉视频直播� Using federal tax policy to incentivize construction of more market rental units that can be reached by local wages

香蕉视频直播� Partnering with B.C. to fund complex care housing and provide adequate and appropriate supports for people who are falling through the cracks

Helps said Canada has one of the most severe housing supply challenges.

香蕉视频直播淭his is showing up in our cities where hard-working residents can香蕉视频直播檛 afford to live in them. We know local governments have a role to play in increasing housing supply and we香蕉视频直播檙e committed to that, but we need strong federal policy and funding to assist.香蕉视频直播�

The B.C. Urban Mayors香蕉视频直播� Caucus is comprised of the mayors of Abbotsford, Burnaby, Coquitlam, Kamloops, Kelowna, Nanaimo, New Westminster, Prince George, Richmond, Saanich, Surrey, Vancouver and Victoria. Combined, those cities represent more than half of the province香蕉视频直播檚 total population.

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twila.amato@blackpress.ca
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