As voters prepare for a historic federal election amid ongoing trade tensions with the United States, safeguarding the long-term prosperity of Canadians must be paramount. Canadians need a National Prosperity Partnership in which all orders of government work together to move our nation forward.

From coast to coast to coast, across rural, northern and urban Canada, local communities are the engines of economic prosperity that maintain the vital infrastructure and essential services that underpin our nation. They enable trade, power industry, and connect people. As such, this campaign offers an opportunity to rethink how we fund and equip the very places where economic activity happens.

"Canada's strength has always come from within: from our people, our natural resources, our industries, and foremost from the communities that make up this country. But right now, Canadians are navigating deep uncertainty, and it is time to have long overdue conversations about the future ahead," said FCM President Rebecca Bligh.

This election is an opportunity to have a national conversation about how Canada funds and enables economic growth. The path forward is clear:

• A long-term approach to aligning infrastructure, housing, and workforce investments with Canada's economic priorities and enabling local capacity to deliver.
• An intergovernmental conversation on aligning municipal resources with the scale of today's intersected challenges housing, public safety, climate resilience, and infrastructure.
• A commitment to regular, high-level engagement between the Prime Minister and municipal leaders to align economic strategies.

"We can't afford half measures anymore. We're held back by an outdated fiscal system. Without stronger capacity at the local level, Canada will struggle to compete in the global economy, attract investment, and protect supply chains. It's time for a modernized approach that will give municipalities the resources to drive real change and improve lives for Canadians," added Bligh.

This election represents a crucial crossroad to prioritize Canadians and their communities.

It's time to reinvest in our foundations so we can create jobs, break down barriers to trade, and ensure opportunities in urban, northern and rural communities for every Canadian.