Ottawa—As Canada’s largest cities grapple with housing shortages, infrastructure strain and economic uncertainty, Kitchener Mayor Berry Vrbanovic joined municipal leaders from across the country this week in Ottawa to press the federal government for faster, more predictable funding to support urban growth.
Vrbanovic participated in meetings of the Big City Mayors’ Caucus (BCMC), held under the umbrella of the Federation of Canadian Municipalities, where mayors met collectively and individually with Prime Minister Mark Carney and several senior cabinet ministers. The discussions focused on shared priorities that large municipalities say are central to Canada’s long-term economic health, including housing supply, infrastructure renewal, public transit, and trade diversification.
According to the mayor’s office, Vrbanovic used the meetings to advocate for both Kitchener-specific needs and broader urban priorities that cut across regions and provinces. Canada’s big cities, municipal leaders argue, are absorbing rapid population growth while facing rising costs and aging infrastructure, placing pressure on local budgets that rely heavily on property taxes.
“Canada’s big-city mayors are united in our priorities as we look to be partners in prosperity with Ottawa to build strong cities and a strong, resilient Canada,” said Mayor Vrbanovic. “Kitchener and other cities like us are ready to work hand in hand with both federal and provincial/territorial governments.”
He added that while municipalities share the federal government’s urgency in addressing national challenges, existing funding structures often slow progress. “Canada’s economic future runs through our cities, and we share Ottawa’s ambition and sense of urgency to tackle these challenges together, but we need funding programs to be setup in a manner that allows us all to succeed.”
Housing remained at the centre of the discussions, reflecting its status as a top national policy issue. BCMC members stressed to federal officials that delays in rolling out approved funding can hinder the ability of cities to meet ambitious housing targets. With construction costs rising and labour shortages persisting, mayors warned that timing is critical if new supply is to come online quickly enough to address affordability pressures.
Beyond housing, municipal leaders raised concerns about infrastructure backlogs, transit expansion, and the economic impacts of global trade uncertainty. Sustained and predictable federal investment, they argued, is essential to allow cities to plan multi-year projects and respond to unexpected shocks.
“We must work collaboratively, setting aside traditional mechanisms where necessary, to ensure budgeted dollars can flow quickly. By moving investments out the door faster, through FCM and other partners, cities can get projects underway, create jobs, and accelerate the construction of the infrastructure Canadians urgently need.”
The BCMC continues to push for long-term solutions that go beyond short-term funding announcements. Among its priorities are renewed federal commitments to core infrastructure programs, the extension of housing and homelessness initiatives, and coordinated responses to emerging public safety challenges in urban centres. Mayors say these measures are closely linked to economic performance, as cities struggle to balance growth with livability.
“As municipal leaders who are responding daily to the pressures of our growing communities, we’re committed to doing our part,” said Mayor Vrbanovic.
He pointed to meetings not only with the prime minister but also with federal ministers including Francois-Philippe Champagne, Steven MacKinnon, and Maninder Sidhu as signs of a renewed willingness to collaborate across orders of government.
“From our meeting with Prime Minister Carney to meetings with Ministers Francois-Philippe Champagne, Steven MacKinnon, Maninder Sidhu and others, I’m optimistic about the collaboration we are seeing as we work together with Canada’s new government, to strengthen housing, transit, and economic growth as part of Team Canada, across the country from coast to coast to coast.”
For Kitchener and other fast-growing cities, the outcome of these discussions could shape local budgets and development plans for years to come. Municipal leaders say the stakes are high: without timely federal support, cities risk falling further behind on infrastructure and housing, undermining both affordability and Canada’s broader economic competitiveness.
