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Submitted by Melissa Soline <melissa.soline@glslcities.org>
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NEWS RELEASE Canadian and U.S. Great Lakes and St.
Lawrence Mayors Say Urgent Investment in Public Infrastructure and Creating Jobs
is Key to Economic Recovery December 12, 2008, Toronto ? Canadian and U.S. mayors
passed a resolution [www.glslcities.org/news.htm] today that calls on the Canadian and U.S. national
governments to prepare an urgent economic recovery package that accelerates
public infrastructure investments, creates jobs and promotes a healthy and
sustainable environment and economy in the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence region.
?Canadian and U.S. Mayors agree that we need massive
investments in public infrastructure that will both create jobs in the short
term, and build essential infrastructure for a greener, cleaner economy into the
future,? said Toronto Mayor David Miller, Founding Canadian Chair of the Great
Lakes and St. Lawrence Cities Initiative (the Cities Initiative). "The need is
urgent and time is of the essence.? The
mayors of the Cities Initiative Board of Directors, gathering for their mid year
meeting in Toronto, shared information on proposed economic recovery packages in
Canada and the U.S. There was particular interest in President-elect Barack
Obama?s repeated commitment to invest in green infrastructure and innovation.
?We need to lead by example by calling on our national
governments to partner with cities to invest in infrastructure projects like
sewer, water and transportation systems,? said Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley,
Founding U.S. Chair of the Cities Initiative. ?These investments will not only
benefit our region, but the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence economy, one of the
most important regional economies in the world.? At
their meeting, the mayors examined ways to expedite the funding cities need to
start construction on infrastructure projects, thus creating new jobs, in early
2009. Mayors agreed that a key to moving quickly was getting funding
directly to cities, where projects are ready to be delivered without
bureaucratic delays. ?Getting the money out the door and shovels in the ground
by next year is the key to stimulating our local and national economies,? said
Thunder Bay Mayor Lynn Peterson, Chair of the Cities Initiative. ?There is
concern amongst Canadian municipalities that the federal Building Canada process
cannot deliver fast enough. We need a new process, more like the gas tax
process, to get money to cities as quickly as possible.? ?The
Quebec government has prioritized water and wastewater projects for
infrastructure investment. This is very positive for St. Lawrence
municipalities,? said Salaberry-de-Valleyfield mayor Denis Lapointe. ?Now
we must work together to get these financial resources in the hands of
municipalities to create jobs that are needed for both our economic recovery and
environmental improvement.? Founded in 2003, the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Cities
Initiative is a binational coalition of mayors and other local officials that
works actively with federal, state, provincial, tribal and first nation
governments to advance the protection and restoration of the Great Lakes and the
St. Lawrence River. With leadership from Mayor Richard M. Daley of Chicago,
Founding U.S. Chair, and Mayor David Miller of Toronto, Founding Canadian Chair,
the Cities Initiative has grown to include sixty-one member municipalities from
across the Basin. -30- Media Contacts:
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Attachment:
midyear2008-nr_centralversion_fnl.pdf
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