Budget tackles social deficit – Kelowna Daily Courier

April 03, 2017

Budget 2017 recognizes that it is the right time to make investments in the economy and people to drive growth and build resilient communities.

For too long, the growing social deficit has been overlooked, leaving municipalities without the resources to adequately plan for and address critical shortages like affordable housing and public transit.

This places a greater burden on many low- and modest-income house-holds, making it harder to accomplish other goals from raising families to pursuing education, jobs and opportunity. The lack of affordable housing is particularly challenging for those living on fixed incomes, especially seniors.

The Federation of Canadian Municipalities reacted positively to Budget 2017 calling it a game-changer because it gives municipalities the tools it needs to drive growth and a higher quality of life by providing real housing dollars and putting cities in the driver’s seat where transit planning is concerned.

Read More: http://www.kelownadailycourier.ca/opinion/columnists/article_0dcfbcb4-166c-11e7-9bc6-5b210f7cb127.html