Kitchener highlights list of priorities for federal election

NEWS RELEASE
CITY OF KITCHENER
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This federal election is a pivotal moment for the City of Kitchener and communities across Canada.  As we face the pandemic’s fourth wave, cities are placing an emphasis on housing affordability and economic recovery, as COVID-19 has exposed cracks in the foundation of this country. We have seen the burden the pandemic has placed on vulnerable people and how much we depend on low-wage essential workers.  We also know how much we can achieve when we work together, and that starts with frontline progress in our cities.

“City-building is nation-building, and cities like Kitchener stand ready with frontline solutions for Canada’s recovery,” said Kitchener Mayor Berry Vrbanovic. “Many of the major issues in this election are playing out in our cities and communities. In Kitchener and communities like us is where Canadians live, work, run businesses and raise families, and they look for all orders of government to work together to solve these big issues.”

Many of Canada’s biggest challenges can be addressed first, fastest and most effectively at a municipal level. That’s why earlier today, the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) released its Election 2021 recommendations, calling on all political parties to continue building on the partnerships and successes between the federal government and municipalities.

The City of Kitchener took today to also release its priorities for this federal election at www.kitchener.ca/KitchenerMatters. Our priorities include:

• Affordable housing
• Pandemic and local economic recovery
• Climate change and resilience
• Sustainable infrastructure
• Public transit
• Protecting municipal frontline services

“We know the pandemic has been difficult on our residents and businesses, and some have been impacted more than others,” said Mayor Vrbanovic. “Kitchener is placing strategic focus on affordable housing, economic recovery and climate action in order to make Kitchener a great place for all residents and businesses.  Both pre-pandemic and over the past 18 months throughout COVID-19, we have shown what we can achieve for our residents when we work collaboratively together. Let’s take what we have learned over the last while, modernize our governments and ensure we build a brighter future for all Canadians – together.”

The decisions of the federal government will impact the quality of life in Kitchener and in communities across Canada.  That is why Canada’s municipalities are proposing solutions to end chronic homelessness, make transit a centrepiece for Canada’s economic recovery and climate action strategy, and build and update our infrastructure so we can provide a strong foundation for residents and businesses to flourish. Our message is the same to every political party:  for an inclusive and sustainable recovery, you have an essential partner in the City of Kitchener.

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