Joe Masi, Portage la Prairie City councillor and advocacy chair board member with the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM), says municipalities need reliable federal investment if Ottawa expects to meet its housing targets. The federal government has pledged 500,000 homes annually over the next decade, but Masi says local governments cannot achieve that without support. “A home is not a home until you have the infrastructure. You want to have a home that flushes, the toilet flushes, your waste goes away,” notes Masi. "You also want clean water to drink." He says projects like Portage’s $100-million water treatment plant are prime examples of the need for cost-sharing, since municipalities cannot bear those expenses through local taxes or utility rates alone. Water and wastewater, he adds, are Manitoba’s top infrastructure priority, and funding them will not only enable new housing but also spur business investment. Dedicated streams for smaller communities Recent polling by the Association of Manitoba Municipalities shows 83 per cent of Manitobans support federal funding for water and wastewater projects. Masi says the results prove residents understand how essential infrastructure is to growth. “Smaller communities like Portage la Prairie and rural municipalities need a separate infrastructure stream dedicated to those size communities so that we’re not all competing with Toronto’s and the Vancouver’s for those precious dollars,” says Masi. He continues that programs should be long-term and predictable, pointing to the Community Building Fund as an example that allows municipalities to plan projects years in advance. Masi notes a similar plan for municipal water and wastewater, based on that program would be ideal, putting funds regularly directly into the city's account. Masi says FCM is also calling for targeted measures to improve public safety. Alongside infrastructure and housing, he highlights bail reform, mental health supports, and stronger policing resources as priorities. “I’m very proud in the city of Portage with the community safety officer program that’s been out there, it’s really working well,” adds Masi. He continues that strengthening RCMP resources and ensuring mental health supports for both first responders and residents are key parts of the safety package municipalities are pushing for. Municipalities ready to collaborate Masi says the message is clear heading into Parliament’s fall session: municipalities are ready to work with Ottawa but need sustainable, long-term commitments. “Canadians like the people in Portage are looking for that kind of support for our municipalities. And at the same time, it’ll drive economic growth and community well-being,” continues Masi. He says if federal and local governments collaborate effectively, communities will become stronger, safer, and better prepared for growth. Sign up to get the latest local news headlines delivered directly to your inbox every afternoon. Send your news tips, story ideas, pictures, and videos to news@portageonline.com. PortageOnline encourages you to get your news directly from your trusted source by bookmarking this page and downloading the PortageOnline app.