Is there any US or other nation comparable reports?  dr
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Report available at: http://www.fcm.ca/newfcm/Java/frame.htm

QUALITY OF URBAN LIFE 'AT RISK' SAYS FCM REPORT

Ottawa, April 14, 2004 ?The quality of life in Canada's urban centres is at
risk, according to a report produced by the Federation of Canadian
Municipalities (FCM) and released today.

This year's report, the third in a series, takes a detailed look at six
indicators of quality of life in 20 Canadian municipalities that account
for 40 per cent of Canada's population.

It finds that, despite general improvements in rates of post-secondary
education, employment growth and home-ownership, quality of life
deteriorated for a growing number of people during the 1990s. In addition,
improvements in income and poverty rates since 1996 have been offset by a
growing income gap, housing affordability problems and changes to social
programs.

FCM president Gatineau mayor Yves Ducharme said the report illustrates the
urgent need for a New Deal for Canada's communities.
"The report provides a clear picture of the broad range of issues that
affect the quality of life in our communities," said Ducharme. "It also
illustrates the urgent need for new tools and new partnerships to stop the
erosion of our quality of life and build sustainable communities. The New
Deal would provide those."

The report draws on data from FCM's Quality of Life Reporting System
(QOLRS) and focuses on six quality of life factors: local economy, natural
environment; personal goals and aspirations; fairness and equity; basic
needs; and social inclusion. The report also looks at underlying
demographic trends affecting the 20 survey municipalities.

Subsequent reports will be published later this year to provide in-depth
analysis of many of the topics highlighted in the current report.

For a copy of this report and more background information click on the
following links:

Quality of Life Highlights Report 2004

Backgrounders to the Quality of Life Report

For more information:

Massimo Bergamini, (613) 241-5221, ext. 247;

Robert Ross, (613) 241-5221, ext. 399;

Media line, (613) 720-0545

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