Brampton - Brampton Mayor Susan Fennell today issued the following statement regarding the 2010 federal budget:

“I believe that today’s budget is good news for Canadian municipalities.

In pre-budget consultations, municipal leaders called on the federal government to protect our hard-fought gains in achieving long-term, predictable funding for municipalities, such as the Gas Tax Fund and the 100 per cent GST rebate. I was pleased to see the federal government reaffirm its commitment to these absolutely critical funding arrangements. I think it’s also worth noting that Budget 2010 demonstrates that the federal government is dedicated to tackling the deficit without downloading responsibilities to municipalities that are already stretched to provide essential services. As Mayor of Brampton, I applaud this approach.

The 2010 federal budget emphasizes fiscal prudence in this time of economic transition, and in Brampton, we’ve already taken this message to heart. In our 2010 budget, we effectively managed our limited resources by learning to do more with less, focusing on the “need-to-haves” not the “nice-to-haves”, and deferring major new spending to future years.

As anticipated, the economic stimulus funding announced in last year’s budget will continue to flow through 2010. Brampton’s 11 stimulus projects are on track to be completed by the March 31, 2011 deadline and are contributing to national economic recovery through job creation and infrastructure revitalization.

Like other municipal leaders, I want to build upon the success of this short-term federal-municipal partnership and start working toward long-term, sustainable funding solutions for local communities. As stimulus spending starts to wind down, it is important for the federal government to remain at the table and continue working with cities across the country to solve national problems, such as street gangs, homelessness and the effects of climate change. Together, we must strengthen the economy while also protecting our quality of life.

As our country and our community begin to see the first signs of recovery, I will continue to actively engage our partners at the federal and provincial levels on the merits of investing in Brampton.”