Municipalities most trusted to deliver better quality of life
Posted in: News Item
Date Posted: 2019-05-24
Organization Name: Federation of Canadian Municipalities
A new nation-wide poll confirms that Canadians view municipal governments as the most trusted order of government to improve quality of life in their communities.
New Poll Shows Municipal Governments Most Trusted to Deliver Better Quality of Life
The research, conducted by Abacus Data and commissioned by FCM, revealed that 61 percent of Canadians feel their municipal government best understood the challenges facing their communities, compared to the provincial or federal orders of government. More than half of respondents also said municipal governments were the order of government best placed to improve the quality of life of residents in their community.
“FCM and our membership have a clear message: a more direct relationship between municipalities and the federal government will result in better, faster, more efficient solutions to local challenges,” said FCM President Vicki-May Hamm. “This compelling new data overwhelmingly demonstrates that Canadians want to see their municipal governments better empowered to address the challenges and opportunities that families face in their communities.”
New Poll Shows Municipal Governments Trusted with Control over Infrastructure Projects
When asked for their views on allowing municipal governments greater control to manage local infrastructure projects, 86 percent of respondents agreed it was a good idea. Eighty-three percent also agreed that municipal governments should have greater control in choosing those projects.
“What’s clear is Canadians believe that their local government understands their daily challenges and is best positioned to deliver solutions,” said David Coletto, Abacus Data CEO. “We also found a deep well of support, across the country, in favour of providing municipal governments with the more robust tools needed to deliver on those expectations.”
New Poll Shows Support for Fund Allowing Municipalities to Decide How Money is Spent
Finally, in a hypothetical scenario wherein a federal political party promised a permanent and dedicated fund that allowed municipalities to decide how the money was spent, Canadians overwhelmingly supported the idea regardless of political affiliation or demographic.
“With a federal election fast approaching, now is the time for municipalities to reaffirm that the local order of government is the best partner for achieving national results,” said Hamm. “Canadians have clearly placed their trust in local government not just to understand the challenges families face, but to be at the table when it comes to finding solutions.”