OTTAWA — Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says some provinces have been creating challenges when it comes to making what he insists are important investments in Canada’s cities.
Speaking ahead of his meeting with the Federation of Canadian Municipalities today in Ottawa, Trudeau says not all provinces share his view about the importance of tangible investments in things like infrastructure.
The prime minister has been criticized for how slowly federal money has moved for big civic construction projects, despite a Liberal plan to spend more than $185 billion on them over 12 years.
The mayors of Canada’s big cities are meeting are also meeting today with Federal Infrastructure Minister Francois-Philippe Champagne, who says speeding up project approvals is a top priority.
Trudeau says he thinks investment in big-city infrastructure is one of the best ways to create jobs in the short term and meaningful growth over the long term.
Trudeau argues his Liberal government has made significant investments in cities and communities in areas like housing, transit and green infrastructure since coming to power in 2015.