The Government of Canada announced its 2013 Federal Budget late yesterday (see http://www.budget.gc.ca/2013/home-accueil-eng.html). City staff have already conducted some preliminary examinations of the budget highlights identified, made outreaches to other provincial and federal government officials seeking clarification and received some insights from various stakeholders and associations (e.g. AMO, MFOA) on what the 2013 Federal Budget might hold for municipalities. However, given the lack of details available staff will likely not be in a position at least for a few more weeks to fully discern the implications for Guelph and thus focus the City’s grant application and other efforts throughout 2013. That said, it appears from the preliminary analysis available that the funding allocations announced in last night’s 2013 Federal Budget are primarily aimed at maintaining existing baseline federal appropriations to municipalities – i.e. represent no increased funding over current levels. For example, the federal gas tax allocations have broadened the eligibility criteria to allow new sectors – recreation, tourism, culture – to be considered but appears to do so within the same indexed envelopes already provided for in the multi-year Federal Gas Tax Transfer agreements executed with AMO on the City’s behalf. We nonetheless are working to confirm these and other budget highlight understandings with our partners at AMO, MFOA and the province before providing Council with a definitive assessment.
In short, staff intend to follow up with more comprehensive updates in the weeks to come but felt it important to share preliminary observations here as well as links to key 2013 Federal Budget announcements and analyses attached and below for your interest and information:
Federal Fiscal Monitor (March 21, 2013)
http://www.fin.gc.ca/n13/13-041-eng.asp
Federal Jobs, Growth & Prosperity Plan (March 21, 2013)
http://www.fin.gc.ca/n13/13-040-eng.asp
Association of Ontario Municipalities (AMO) Observations on 2013 Federal Budget
http://www.amo.on.ca/WCM/AMO/AMO_Content/PolicyUpdates/2013/Federal_Budget.aspx
Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) Position on 2013 Federal Budget