Canada's Urban Development Story
The percentage of Canadians living in urban centres has more than doubled in the last 100 years, from less than 38% in 19011, to almost 80% today2. Over the past ten years alone, Canada's urban population has grown by 5.2%3. This trend places Canada among the most urbanized nations in the world.
This rapid growth presents a host of challenges to all levels of Canadian government, but it has a particular impact on local governments. Issues such as the promotion of public health and safety, high-quality public transportation, the social and economic integration of immigrants or minorities such as urban aboriginals, and environmental concerns such as pollution, are now pressing challenges felt keenly at the municipal level. The dynamism associated with the growth of Canada's urban centres has also provided cities with valuable tools to secure their future. The diversity, knowledge base and economic power of city residents have reached unprecedented levels.
Municipal governments are delivering more services to Canadians than ever before. However, their ability to provide these services depends on reliable and sufficient sources of revenue. Local issues are among the most pressing to Canadians, and decisions made at the local level have the greatest direct impact. That is why the Government of Canada recognizes the need to face the challenges confronting Canadian cities in partnership with provincial governments, local governments, non-profit organizations and citizens' groups.
This kind of partnership has already led to important initiatives in
co-operation with provinces and municipalities and to the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM)
Green Municipal Fund, which brings together environmental NGOs, businesses and municipalities to provide environmentally-friendly solutions to a wide variety of local issues. The Government of Canada is also proud of its international sustainable development programs, funded through government departments such as the Canadian International Development Agency and the International Development Research Centre.
| 1 | Statistics Canada |
| 2 | According to the OECD, 79.4% of Canadians live in urban centres of more than 10,000 people. According to UN HABITAT's World Urbanization Prospects 1999, 77.2% of Canada's population lives in urban communities. |
| 3 | Statistics Canada 2001 Census Analysis Series. |
