The Canada's Cities campaign is about building stronger cities and a stronger Canada

Cities in Canada: Quick facts

• There are 42 cities in Canada with populations of over 100,000

• 80% of Canadians live in cities

• Toronto, Montréal and Vancouver alone attract 74.4% of immigrants to Canada

• Cities are the wealth of the nation, in 2000:
  • Toronto accounted for 44% of Ontario's GDP
  • Vancouver accounted for 53% of British Columbia's GDP
  • Montreal accounted for 49% of Quebec's GDP
  • Winnipeg accounted for 67% of Manitoba's GDP
  • Calgary and Edmonton combined accounted for 64% Alberta's GDP

In the 5 year period beginning at 1995, total revenues to local government increased only 6%. During the same period, revenue to the federal government increased 21% and to provincial governments by 13%. As the urban population grew at a rate of 6% during this period - Canada's municipal governments are barely keeping pace.

Despite 21st century challenges, cities are still governed by a model developed in the British North America Act, when large cities were practically non-existent.

• The British North America Act, 1867 (and continued in the Constitution Act, 1982) gives the provinces exclusive control over cities and other municipalities.

• The powers a city possesses depend almost entirely on the powers the province wishes to grant.

• Municipalities in some provinces operate under "laundry list" legislation: their governing legislation spells out every power. If it's not on the list, the city can't do it.

• A province can, at will, take away or change any municipal power previously granted.

• Given the provinces' exclusive control over municipalities, the power of the federal government to deal directly with municipalities is limited.

What's needed now

Residents expect their city governments to tackle local challenges efficiently and effectively. To meet this expectation, cities need the authority and ability to create flexible, innovative solutions to local concerns with a minimum of red tape and bureaucracy.

• Cities need greater legislative powers.

• Cities need access to sufficient, suitable and sustainable revenue sources to meet their responsibilities. For example, most cities do not have the power to mortgage an asset in order to raise money.

• The Federation of Canadian Municipalities has proposed a ten-point action plan for sustainable communities. This plan calls for an intergovernmental framework that embraces municipal governments as partners and recognizes their primary role in improving the quality of life of Canadians.

City charter: much smarter! One solution that's gaining acceptance is to create new charters for Canada's largest cities - customized laws that give them powers that match their responsibilities and needs. A charter would:

• Give cities the power to attract business with tax incentives and credits.

• Allow cities to enter into partnerships that involve the private sector.

• Give cities a seat at the table when Ottawa or the provinces are discussing matters that affect them.

• Permit cities to enact local legislation, so they don't have to ask the province to pass a law every time they need to get something done.

• Give cities "natural person" powers, allowing them to enter into contracts, raise money and do many other things not currently possible.

Cities play a unique role in Canada. They're where most Canadians live and work. They're the economic engines of our nation. That's why stronger cities mean a stronger Canada.

To find out more about the campaign to unleash the potential of Canada's cities, visit www.canadascities.ca.