Although securing funds to fix crumbling infrastructure across the country is the top priority, it's not the only focus for the Federation of Canadian Municipalities.
According to FCM president Karen Leibovici, in town this week for the organization's quarterly board of directors' meeting, housing also ranks high on the list.
"Though we've spent a lot of time and energy on infrastructure, that doesn't mean we've forgotten the other important aspects of what municipalities need to provide in order to keep the economy strong and housing is one of those aspects," Leibovici said.
Early last year, FCM released a report calling on the federal government to provide low-interest loans to finance new rental construction; reform the tax system to prevent the demolition of existing rental housing; and provide incentives to lower rental costs through better energy efficiency.
The federal Affordable Housing Initiative - which partners with provincial and territorial governments to contribute to the construction of affordable housing - expires at the end of March 2014.
"So we've put in submissions to Minster Finley [Diane Finley is responsible for Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation] and are hopeful that we'll see something as well - if not in this year's budget then definitely in next year's budget," Leibovici said.
Locally, the province purchased the fire-ravaged Victoria Towers apartment complex on 20th Avenue and renovations are underway to turn it into a subsidized housing project.
B.C. Housing will work with non-profit service providers to find and process the building's prospective tenants for its 93 spaces.
Among other FCM concerns are the growing costs of policing and the siting of wireless telecommunications towers.
"In a lot of communities across the country there are issues. And the biggest issue was that under the legislation, there's no requirement for there to be any notification if the tower is below 15 metres," Leibovici explained.
The FCM recently signed an agreement with the Canadian Wireless Telecommunications Association with an understanding that notification would now be provided to municipalities.
The Federation of Canadian Municipalities board of directors meeting wraps up at the Ramada Hotel on Saturday.
