Balancing Value and Expectations: Metro Finance Symposium

Metro Vancouver Regional Finance Symposium .. Balancing Value and Expectations

November 28, 2012
8:30am – 3:30pm
Hilton Hotel
6083 McKay Ave, Burnaby

While local governments continually strive to improve efficiencies, adhere to a growing number of regulations, and ensure accountability, they face significant financial challenges as they try to navigate how best to deliver a growing suite of services to residents and manage expectations. In an era of constrained revenues and growing concern regarding regional affordability, have we reached a tipping point? What alternatives and trade-offs are we willing to consider? How can we ensure the cumulative costs of delivering the services and infrastructure citizens expect does not unintentionally undermine the affordability of the region?

Metro Vancouver is pleased to invite you to the Metro Vancouver Regional Finance Symposium, taking place November 28^th, 2012 at the Hilton Hotel in Burnaby

Moderated by Michael Goldberg, Professor and Dean Emeritus, Sauder School of Business, UBC and Scholar in Residence, Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada, the Symposium will feature keynote Gord Hume, one of Canada’s leading voices on municipal government, cultural planning, and creative cities, and the author of Taking Back Our Cities. Michael Buda, Director of Policy and Research, Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) will provide a special presentation on The State of Canada’s Cities and Communities 2012 report.

The Metro Vancouver Regional Finance Symposium will provide participants with an opportunity to:

• Better understand how local governments can balance the need to provide services and infrastructure that enhance regional prosperity and sustainability, with the need to address concerns about rising costs and regional affordability.
• Debate, discuss, and better understand sustainable financial strategies for local governments in Metro Vancouver.
• Enhance their awareness of how all levels of government (local, provincial, federal), other quasi-government agencies (e.g., TransLink, Partnerships BC, BC Housing), the private sector and the broader public can collaborate on the affordable and efficient provision of services and infrastructure.

Please visit metrovancouver.org/rfs to register and for more program details.