Finance committee  We've spoken about that publicly. I think what I'll say is that we need some sort of a regional solution. If it isn't going to be a formal governance structure that's supported and legislated through the provincial government, then we definitely need something else, because relying on municipalities, with capacity issues and everything, to informally work together is also not the solution.

Finance committee  Sure. Thank you very much. Indeed, at the municipal level, all these crises intersect, which is part of the complexity; it's troublesome, and unexpectedly so, sometimes. Here in Newfoundland and Labrador, we are really behind in terms of managing and preparing for climate change.

Finance committee  I think I could write a Ph.D. thesis on that. I have—close to that one. Thank you for that. Those are great comments, and that's really complex. I will answer partially as a sociologist, I guess, but I'll also zero in on the municipal perspective. I've always said in my Ph.D. work that we have to support people in place, but that's expensive.

Finance committee  Before my clock starts, I'm just going to say that I'll make a few opening remarks in French.

Finance committee  Members of the committee, good morning. Thank you for the opportunity to speak with you today on behalf of Municipalities Newfoundland and Labrador and to share messages from the Federation of Canadian Municipalities, or FCM. My name is Deatra Walsh. I am the director of advocacy and communications with MNL, the organization representing the 275 municipalities in this province.

Finance committee  Great. Thank you. Infrastructure is a constant concern for our members—I talk a lot about infrastructure—such as how to maintain what they have and how to build new. Our members struggle to apply for and access the funding they need. They are not in a state of readiness, I would argue, to be successful in any federal funding competition.