Thank you, Mr. Chair, for your introduction. Thank you to the committee members, particularly Peter Braid, MP for Kitchener—Waterloo, for extending an invitation to the City of Kitchener to participate in your study of updating infrastructure in Canada.

I'm pleased to be here on behalf of the citizens of Kitchener and more broadly as a Region of Waterloo councillor. I'm proud to represent one of Canada's fastest growing economies and our country's most vibrant technology, financial services, and innovation cluster.

Kitchener is the largest city in Waterloo region. Kitchener is innovative, creative and culturally diverse, offering a wealth of opportunity for residents, businesses, investors, and visitors.

We have an extraordinarily dynamic metropolitan economy rich in industrial heritage where the development of innovations in technology, education, and arts and culture are highly valued.

We know that if we're going to sustain a strong economic presence on the national and international stages we must constantly aim to reinvent ourselves in ways that will continue to attract investors and a high calibre of talent, as well as maintain strong relationships with our current pillar sectors: advanced manufacturing, start-ups, financial services, academia, and the technology sector.

The Federation of Canadian Municipalities has presented information to this committee on a number of occasions. As a proud member of FCM and the Big City Mayors' Caucus, I, on behalf of my council colleagues, strongly support FCM's important advocacy on these issues.

I am pleased to share the time today with our friends from the City of Vancouver and the City of Montreal and I welcome their input into this important discussion. FCM has spoken about broad-based municipal concerns regarding reducing gridlock, and increasing and protecting our social housing stock and infrastructure.

As FCM stated in its May 12 presentation, Canada is at a crossroad. I’ll quote from their presentation:

The core infrastructure that Canadians rely upon is at risk. That’s what the first edition of the Canadian infrastructure report card told us in 2012. The report card measured the physical condition of municipal roads, drinking water, waste-water and stormwater infrastructure and found that one-third of these assets are at risk, requiring significant investment in the years ahead.

In addition, we know that ongoing investments are required in our social housing sector. The need for affordable housing is growing and existing units must be sustained and maintained. In my own community and across the country, without the reinvestment of federal operating dollars, one-third of Canada’s social housing stock is at risk, pushing our already strained rental sector over its limits and putting vulnerable Canadians at risk of homelessness.

Achieving local affordable housing solutions isn’t merely a matter of municipalities asking Ottawa for greater financial resources. It’s about cities being best positioned to structure and implement the types of programs that address their particular circumstances. The outdated model of a one-size-fits-all prescription needs updating, as it does for infrastructure and public transit.

Finding solutions requires all orders of government working together. Protecting and renewing federal investments in social housing is an important step in keeping housing affordable for all Canadians. That speaks to the national situation that cities are facing.

Also, during my time today, I want to take the opportunity to share information about Kitchener’s major transportation and transit priorities, and by doing so outline the important role cities play in job creation, reducing gridlock, and improving the lives of our citizens.

Canada's cities are leading centres of creativity and innovation. They attract the talent and investment required for large-scale and leading-edge start-up initiatives to succeed. As fundamental drivers of the economy, cities are best positioned to provide a path to economic prosperity. Strong cities are the foundation for a strong economy. Livable cities are key for the future of our country and our children.`

Collectively and collaboratively, local, provincial, and federal governments need to work to build a Canada where our cities compete with the very best in the world. If we all work together under a balanced model of shared responsibilities and resources, it’s a future within our grasp.

I will now ask the committee staff to open the two-way all-day GO map.

In Kitchener and Waterloo region, one of our primary challenges is our employers’ ability to move their people from one location to another on a daily basis. We need all governments working collaboratively to develop 21st century transit for our 21st century economy. Quite frankly, moving people matters.

In Waterloo region, we are witnessing the benefits of a strong partnership among the federal, provincial, and municipal governments through the construction of our regional light rail transit system, the ION. Nineteen kilometres of railway are being built through an equal funding partnership that secured the $818 million required for the initial phase of our light rapid transit.

Moving beyond our municipal boundaries, Kitchener is working with the municipalities of Waterloo, Guelph, Halton Hills, and Brampton on our joint transportation and transit priority: two-way, all-day GO rail from Toronto-GTA to Kitchener. Investing in two-way, all-day GO rail service will enable economic growth, attract talent, and reduce daily commute times.

Our business case quantifies the significant job creation and environmental and social benefits that two-way, all-day GO rail service would unleash for the regional economy of Waterloo region and Toronto. It would create 40,000 new jobs in the innovation sector—technology, financial services, and advanced manufacturing. It would connect 13,000 companies, attract 3,000 innovation start-ups, save $344 million in annual commuter and environmental costs, and generate $547 million annually in additional income tax revenue.

The upgraded service would allow for an increase in the more than 10,000 professionals currently commuting daily from the greater Toronto area into Waterloo region for positions in technology, financial services, life sciences, academia, and other growing sectors.

However, this project requires the financial support of both the provincial and the federal governments. The partners are calling for 50% of the funding for this project through the federal government’s new building Canada fund.

I’ll pause here and provide you the opportunity to view a short video that succinctly articulates the economic, social, and environmental need for two-way, all-day GO rail service.

[Video Presentation]

This is an infrastructure and public transit request, but more than that, it's a job creation strategy.

I believe this is the type of transportation infrastructure project that should bring all orders of government together. Again, our municipal partners—Kitchener, Waterloo, Guelph, Halton Hills, and Brampton—are all calling for 50% of the funding for this project through the federal government’s new building Canada fund.

In conclusion, I'd like to thank the federal government for the recent investments in the federal budget. They have signalled the beginning of a broader partnership with the federal government and Canada's municipalities. It shows what we can achieve when municipalities and the federal government work together to ensure a strong future for Canada. Our goal is to work with the federal government as an equal partner to secure local and national improvements in infrastructure, public transit, and affordable housing.

Collectively and collaboratively, local, provincial, and federal governments need to work to build a Canada where our cities compete with the very best in the world. If we all work together under a balanced model of shared responsibilities and resources, it’s a future within our grasp.

Thank you.

I look forward to addressing any questions you may have at this time.

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