Discussion: What's holding Canadian cities back?

Siri Agrell: Hi everyone, I'm here.

[Comment From GuestGuest: ]Hello everyone, thank you for joining us today.

Ann Hui, Globe and Mail: That last comment - "Guest", was actually Carol Wilding.

Ann Hui, Globe and Mail: Let's launch right into the first reader question. Here's one from AndreDarmanin:

[Comment From AndreDarmaninAndreDarmanin: ]/b> I remember Judy Sgro released an Urban Strategy for the country. Obviously it wasn't applied. I believe Ignatieff has already mentioned transit as part of his strategy, I think he needs to do more, as should the other candidates? Thoughts?

Siri Agrell: I definitely think all the parties need to be talking more directly about cities. How about an election that's actually about something?!

Carol Wilding: Couldn't agree more. Cities need to figure prominently in the election. We've joined with chambers across to ensure the urban agenda is part of this federal election.

Siri Agrell: Carol, were you pleased to hear Mr. Ignatieff speak about transit this morning in Toronto?

Carol Wilding: Any time any leader speaks about investing in transit, we're pleased. We need a national transit strategy within a larger national urban strategy.

Ann Hui, Globe and Mail: An interesting question from one of our readers. Carol, Siri, what are your thoughts on this:

[Comment From DavidDavid: ]/b> City planning and transit I live in Ottawa and they keep wanting to build out not up making transit more expensive. We need more compact cities

Siri Agrell: David, I think you're absolutely right. All of the most interesting planning in cities around the world, as far as I'm concerned, has to do with density. Making cities more efficient, not expanding continually into the suburbs. How can we be smarter about where things go and how we use the resources we already have. It always amazes me when these new subdivisions are planned without any bus routes or transit access. It just makes the problem worse.

Carol Wilding: Density and intensification around transport hubs is definitely important. Ultimately, we need funding to be secure and in place or it's just rhetoric.

Ann Hui, Globe and Mail: Speaking of funding, here's a question about just that:

[Comment From GuestGuest: ]/b> Cities are where 80% of us live. Why are we not hearing any discussion around long term infrastructure strategies for cities or new funding formulas beyond property taxes and user fees for cities? The Gas Tax though important is not enough and has not grown with inflation.

Carol Wilding: In Toronto and other Canadian urban centres, that quality planning is increasingly being done. But investment in infrastructure still lags.

Siri Agrell: Conservative Finance Minister Jim Flaherty did say in his budget address last week that they would meet with municipalities to discuss an infrastructure plan. That said, why not actually unveil a plan?

Carol Wilding: Agreed. We've come together with 12 other chambers in large urban centres across the country to ensure that the importance of cities gets reflected in federal policy.

Carol Wilding: The commitment to a plan is a breakthrough that should be applauded. The Board, though, is looking for details and commitments from all parties.

Siri Agrell: I really do feel for city mayors on this issue. So much to do and so few ways to fund it.

Ann Hui, Globe and Mail: As Siri's stories have so far been focused on transit, it's not surprising that our a number of readers are asking about transit-related matters. Here are a few of those questions:

[Comment From Katharine Brandon, LondonKatharine Brandon, London: ]Transit idea: I think it would be nice to have safe parking lots at points around the arc, midway between the sparsely populated suburbs and city, then get on transit from there...similar to GO train lots but supervised. What are the chances of this happening? Could be an interim solution, or maybe a cheap item that could be permanent.

Carol Wilding: There are many funding options that haven't been explored. For example, P3s are rarely used at the municipal level. During the Toronto municipal election, we published a report outlining 16 funding options to explore

Carol Wilding: This is the kind of thinking we need. This is likely more of a local option, than a federal one.

Ann Hui, Globe and Mail: And more transit questions:

[Comment From JamesBJamesB: ]/b> I don't think you can have a national strategy as the transportation issue (as you report seems to indicate) seems to have unique to each jurisdiction But if you ask the government for a National Strategy, is there not a expectation that they are going to pay for it?

[Comment From Aslam ShaikhAslam Shaikh: ]/b> Funding is always an issue. People often consider expensive transit solutions (i.e. subways) to solve our transit woes - yet cities often face cash-strapped budgets. Should we be considered cheaper, alternative solutions - car sharing, better bus servicing, active transit?

Siri Agrell: Aslam, I think you're absolutely right. It's not just about government intervention, of course, I think Canadians have to put some thought into how they move around their cities. Why aren't more people carpooling, exploring alternative ways of getting to work? I came back into the city yesterday at 1:30 and the Don Valley Parkway was jammed. It's gotten ridiculous.

Carol Wilding: In response to James B, the national strategy needs to reflect regional needs and differences. But there definitely is a need and an expectation for the federal government to be part of the solution. Other countries in the OECD have national transit strategies and they're ahead of us in our transportation lens in the Scorecard report.

Ann Hui, Globe and Mail: Here are two related questions: both about making cities more 'people-friendly.' Siri, Carol, your thoughts?

Carol Wilding: In response to Aslam, strategies need to include coordinated plans across an economic region. They must address all modes of transportation - and they don't all have to be cost-intensive, as you point out.

[Comment From TOTO: ]Toronto and most Canadian cities are very ugly. Why do you think no consideration is given to making cities more aesthetically pleasing? We don't seem to value spending money on making cities more pleasant spaces.

[Comment From TOTO: ]/b> Europe invested heavily in making cities more people friendly - like wider sidewalks, car free streets, bike lanes, etc. Why is this so hard to implement in Canada?

Siri Agrell: I think the main difference is that North American cities are designed for the car, and European cities aren't. Although I would argue that Toronto and other Canadian cities have their beautiful elements!

Carol Wilding: Canadian cities generally score very well on their liveability. It's our economic performance that lags. But the two go hand in hand.

Siri Agrell: I'm really intrigued by the New York City transit czar I wrote about today. I can't help wondering how Torontonians would react if someone just suddenly made Bloor pedestrian only or painted bike lanes in over night. She gets things done, but would we let her here?

Carol Wilding: There are many good ideas, but we often fail to see them through. This is also tied to boom and bust funding.

Ann Hui, Globe and Mail: Here's a question from Olivia Chow:

[Comment From oliviachowoliviachow: ]/b> What do you think of the NDP National Transit Strategy Act which I presented in the House of Commons last month. (Details at www.oliviachow.com) By working together with provinces and municipalities, the strategy aims to plan for a long term, predictable, and sustainable funding for public transit. The legislation is based on the FCM Big City Mayor's caucus report on transit. And endorsed by FCM and the Canadian Urban Transit Asso.

Siri Agrell: One of the commenters just called Janette Sadik-Khan, NYC transit czar, a "transportation goddess." Maybe we should make that an official title!

[Comment From AndreDarmaninAndreDarmanin: ]Janette Sadik-Khan is a transportation goddess. She gets it. Surely under Rob Ford's administration that would never happen.

Carol Wilding: We look forward to all parties putting forward their ideas before the May 2 vote. Between your private member's bill, the recent budget and Ignatieff's comment today, we're encouraged all parties are taking the issue of a national urban strategy seriously.

[Comment From BrianPersaudBrianPersaud: ]/b> So easy to be cynical after announcements are made for Transit improvements then canceled - Regardless of the Party involved (Remember Network 2011). Mayors and TBOT have been vocal in criticisms..but yet we are where we are. How can we all work together to hold governments accountable to what they say? What do we need to do different?

Siri Agrell: I agree Brian. I was speaking to a transit consultant from Washington, DC, the other day who was saying that transit planning needs to be removed from the election cycle. Come up with a long term plan that can't get thrown out the window every time someone new is elected!

Carol Wilding: We need to recognize that progress is being made - federal funding has increased in recent years, albeit not as much as we need and not as predictable as we'd like. But this is a long game that needs to move faster. We are right to be impatient.

Ann Hui, Globe and Mail: Here's an interesting question from reader Dan:

[Comment From DanDan: ]/b> There have been some interesting developments in local democracy around the world, including devolution of powers to cities in the Phillipines, and participatory democracy at the neighborhood level in various cities in Brazil. As cities in Canada become bigger and bigger, will there be a push for more genuine democracy at the municipal/neighborhood level? Will the provinces be forced to concede power to municipalities?

Siri Agrell: Start the uprising Dan! I'm not sure anyone's going to concede power, but as our population shifts increasingly into city centres, it does seem that the way our government is structured is out of whack.

Siri Agrell: The Mayor of Edmonton said it best: "For us to get power, someone would have to give up power. I don't see that happening any time soon."

Carol Wilding: The last federal election had no mention of urban Canada. Already, this federal election has the needs of cities at the forefront. That's definitely a positive advance. We can improve the state of our cities without re-opening the Constitution if we make clear our priorities to politicians.

Ann Hui, Globe and Mail: Another interesting question, this time from reader Ken:

[Comment From KenKen: ]Rural Canadian's are usually anti-spending any money on cities - how do we bridge this cultural divide?

Carol Wilding: We need to remember that strong cities are importance for the success of rural Canada. We're all in this together. It needs to stop being framed in the context of us vs. them.

Siri Agrell: Ken, I agree that you can't frame it as urban vs. rural. We have to see these investments as benefiting the Canadian economy, social cohesion, all kinds of issues that are bigger than cities -- that speak to our performance as a country.

Ann Hui, Globe and Mail: Taking the discussion in a slightly different direction, here's a question that I think Siri might have some thoughts on:

[Comment From AmritaAmrita: ]There has emerged a huge startup force in Toronto in recent years. Why haven't we been able to attract equivalent VC interest to fund these new technologies? Companies unfortunately have to still seek outside investment... especially from south of the border.

Siri Agrell: Amrita, you are going to love tomorrow's paper! The next two days of our series are all about what Canadian cities are doing to build an innovative economy. I talk about the issues surrounding VC in particular, and a new fund that's started up in toronto specifically to support the talent you're after. On Wednesday, I write about the efforts other countries are making, including one country that is actually paying people to move there and start their companies.

Carol Wilding: The Board has been studying this issue for some time. There are structural challenges, such as tax reform to attract more retail investors and we need to attract more institutional investors. At the same time, we also need to flow government dollars. Above all, there's no cluster to attract the needed capital. Risk-taking needs to be a point of pride.

Ann Hui, Globe and Mail: And for the readers asking: "VC" refers to venture capital investments

Ann Hui, Globe and Mail: Another question that a number of readers seem to be asking:

[Comment From KenKen: ]We never talk about Urban/Suburban divide - where companies seeking the lowest tax rates in the region undermine urban planning initiatives - great example is Vaughn which is built on taking business out of Toronto ... how do we stop this? (as it doesn't benefit anyone)

Siri Agrell: I actually want to write about all the things the suburbs are doing to draw business there. The fact is that they're thinking about it, and working towards something, where Toronto doesn't seem to be.

Carol Wilding: Canadian cities compete against global cities, not each other. The Scorecard (see www.bot.com) ranks these centres at the regional level, because that is the key economic unit. That's how businesses operate - they don't see the municipal boundaries in the marketplace. Municipalities within the same economic region need to work as a region in attracting investment, rather than fighting over the existing pie. This is not a zero-sum game.

Ann Hui, Globe and Mail: Another interesting question:

[Comment From AndreDarmaninAndreDarmanin: ]/b> Carol, I think there needs to be more? What about innovative ideas like an infrastructure bank as been proposed in the US on numerous occassions?

Siri Agrell: Someone just pointed out that Amrita works for the Board of Trade. Just wanted to mention that I didn't know I was being set up for that one.

Ann Hui, Globe and Mail: Nor did I, but it was a good question!

Ann Hui, Globe and Mail: Carol, Siri, any thoughts on the infrastructure bank idea?

Carol Wilding: In response to Andre, there's lots of options out there. The Board has been advancing a number of solutions - 16 of them at this point. We have to make sure that we're looking at all possible ways to get infrastructure funded and built. I don't know the mechanics of the proposed infrastructure bank well enough to know if it would work here, but I'll look more into it.

Siri Agrell: I think the Infrastructure Bank being proposed in the US is an interesting idea, proposed that it's not for profit and wouldn't issue stock. You don't want a Freddie Mac situation

Ann Hui, Globe and Mail: Before we wrap things up, I'm going to give Siri a chance to ask any burning questions she may still have for Carol, and ask the two of them to leave us with their final thoughts on the question: What's holding back Canadian cities?

Siri Agrell: Let's see, burning questions. I guess I'm wondering what she thinks the catalyst will be for real change. Or will this be a gradual progression for cities?

Carol Wilding: In terms of Canadian cities, we need to be focusing on the urban centres, not just the cities. Regional urban economies are driving the global economy. Beyond that, investment is the key - in terms of public infrastructure and access to capital, particularly VC, and for Canadian companies to invest more in productivity-enhancing machinery and equipment.

Ann Hui, Globe and Mail: Last thoughts?

Carol Wilding: The catalyst for change is us - as individual voters, as entrepreneurs, as policy-makers and politicians. We can't afford for change to be gradual or short-term. I think it's imperative that we are more competitive and make sure that we catch the next economic wave.

Siri Agrell: Just that I'm really happy that people are starting to think about these topics as a national issue, and that I hope this election can be about something more concrete than which leader sucks more, who would be in a coalition, and what happened in the 'in and out' scandal.

Ann Hui, Globe and Mail: That's all the time we have today. Thanks to everyone who participated in the discussion, and a special thanks to Siri and Carol.

You can read the latest in the "Our Time To Lead: Winning the Cities" series here: http://asset-boost.pro/news/national/time-to-lead/%3C/p%3E%3Cdiv id="fusion-static-enter:raw-html-body-85-rawHtml85" style="display:none" data-fusion-component="raw-html-body-85-rawHtml85">