Transport committee  It would, to a point, but I don't think it would solve it entirely. I think there is still a need for programs that address major capital infrastructure pieces. I'll use the example of my own community again. We planned for 10 years for an eventuality where we received funding, and we didn't get funding.

Transport committee  Yes, absolutely we are. We've been pleased with the support we've received, both federally and provincially, so far. Recently we received some solely provincial money—around $500 million—for operation and infrastructure for municipalities. I think the thing to keep in mind is that, if municipalities don't have sufficient operating funds and if their revenues are impaired, what we have to do to stay afloat, so to speak, in terms of providing the services that we normally provide....

Transport committee  We've certainly played an advocacy role with both levels of government. Obviously, my being here today is part of that. I am with the provincial government on funding. We have a team at AMO that is working diligently to coordinate all the information out there and share it with the municipalities throughout Ontario.

Transport committee  Certainly, the deficit is enormous and one that the municipalities cannot tackle alone. There's tens of billions of dollars staring down municipal budgets, and we need assistance, quite frankly, to make things happen. To give an example, we've had ICIP for the last number of years.

Transport committee  The gas tax fund and the doubling of it, first of all, are certainly appreciated, as I noted in my comments. It is very much the type of funding that municipalities can use and put to work right away. It allows certain flexibility for different types of projects under the terms and conditions of the funding.

Transport committee  I can think of a couple of points. To your first point in your question about whether the money is flowing, I think we have some members who would say that specifically under ICIP it's been a slow flow at best and maybe a trickle. Applications for some projects were put in a long time ago and in some cases they still haven't been formally announced.

Transport committee  Good afternoon, everybody. My name's Graydon Smith. I'm president of the Association of Municipalities of Ontario. Thank you for the invitation to address you today as you study targeted infrastructure investments and social and economic improvements in the lives of Canadians.