Brief from Oshawa

Thank you for the opportunity to provide input to the 2012 Federal Budget as part of the government's pre-budget consultation.

The City of Oshawa is grateful for the recent financial support from the Federal Government. Federal financial commitments under the Economic Action Plan are paying huge dividends in our community. Substantial construction jobs are in place, much needed infrastructure renewal and enhancement is occurring, and permanent employment opportunities have been created.

Despite the financial assistance, one of the greatest challenges currently facing the City of Oshawa, like many other municipalities, is an increasing infrastructure deficit that cannot be adequately addressed through traditional municipal revenue streams which is primarily property taxes. Maintaining urban infrastructure and healthy, vibrant cities is essential. Cities are locations for much of the nation's innovation, job creation and recreation. They are major contributors to the health, welfare and economy of Canada.

It is necessary for the Federal Government to continue to invest in municipalities by developing a long-term infrastructure funding program to replace the soon to expire Building Canada plan. This plan needs to expand the eligible expenditure categories for Federal Gas Tax funds to include renewal and construction of vertical municipal infrastructure including administration complexes, works depots and recreation facilities and renewal and construction of parks, sports fields and playground equipment. Expanding the eligible categories will provide municipalities the flexibility to address their particular priority infrastructure deficiencies.

Specifically, the City of Oshawa has identified the following three priority infrastructure projects which require funding.

• Operations and Environmental Services Centre ($45 million) - This project invoices the remediation of a long-time vacant brownfield site and the construction of an expanded, modern, energy efficient, environmentally responsible Operations and Environmental Services Centre for the City's roads, traffic and fleet operations. The City has submitted a funding application under the Building Canada Fund - Major Infrastructure Component for this project. This project will result in significant future cost and energy savings.
• Airport Runway Extension ($3 million) - Extension of Runway 12/30 from 4,000 feet to 5,000 feet and all related works to accommodate increased corporate jet and turboprop traffic. This project supports economic investment growth for Durham Region and a federal funding assistance program similar to the Airport Capital Assistance Program (ACAP) currently available to airports with scheduled passenger service would be very beneficial.
• Marina and Waterfront Development ($22 million) - This initiative involves environmental remediation and development of a marina and associated parking lot, trail and parkland. This project is seen as an important catalyst for development in the waterfront area and supports increased community investment and is currently a potential P3 Canada project.

Once again, the City of Oshawa is appreciative of the Federal Government's financial investment in infrastructure. I urge the government to continue to provide long-term sustainable funding for municipalities like the City of Oshawa. Together we can continue to ensure that infrastructure is renewed, jobs are created and our still fragile economy continues to rebound.

If you have any questions or require any additional information please feel free to contact me by phone at 905-436-5636 extension 2258, or by email atbduignan@oshawa.ca.

Bob Duignan

City Manager