Mayor Locke Attends Big City Mayors’ Caucus in Ottawa

Housing and essential infrastructure are top issues for Mayor Brenda Locke and the Big City Mayors’ Caucus who are meeting in Ottawa. One of five new mayors to join the BCMC Caucus, Mayor Locke is strongly advocating for further action on housing and the next generation of infrastructure for Surrey.

"The Big City Mayors’ Caucus is an opportunity to advance our top priorities to our Federal partners,” said Mayor Brenda Locke. “The meeting with Minister LeBlanc today shows the federal government is prepared be long-term partners on solving the critical issue around wastewater. Additionally, Minister Hussen continues to support essential housing infrastructure funding including student housing and co-ops. However, there are concerns expressed from big city mayors in every province about the need for all types of affordable housing.”

Today the BCMC Caucus met with Minister of Housing, Diversity and Inclusion Ahmed Hussen and Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs, Infrastructure and Communities Dominic LeBlanc.

The meeting with Minister Hussen focused on the Rapid Housing Initiative (RHI) and Housing Accelerator Fund (HAF) programs and next steps on the design and implementation of these programs and shared priorities on affordable housing and eliminating homelessness.

Minister LeBlanc is currently focused on developing a plan to maintain and build the next generation of infrastructure across Canada to meet the needs of rapidly growing cities.

The BCMC continues this week, advocating directly for the priorities of big cities ahead of the 2023 federal budget.