HUNDREDS of municipal politicians from around the country descended on Vancouver over the weekend, but it wasn't Rob Ford they wanted to talk about.
Finances - or the lack of them - from the federal government for major infrastructure projects was the big takeaway from the 2013 meeting of the Federation of Canadian Municipalities, according to members of both North Vancouver councils.
The North Shore's three local governments, along with Metro Vancouver, are being tasked by the federal government with building a new wastewater treatment plant capable of processing out solids and organic matter from effluent by 2020. But that isn't cheap.
"We're going to need funding because federal government sets the standard for wastewater effluent, and we have to meet it. We're looking at a $400-million bill here on the North Shore for our wastewater treatment plant," said City of North Vancouver Mayor Darrell Mussatto.
"They've said they will be a partner on it, but to what degree, we don't know."
Federal ministers who spoke at the FCM conference assured attendees there would be money for infrastructure, but the amount is woefully short, Mussatto said.
"Over the next 10 years, they've got $53 billion set aside. We could probably use $530 billion - 10 times that amount in Canada because of the aging infrastructure," Mussatto said.
Making matters worse, every local government in Canada will be competing for the limited funds, though Mussatto said local staff are doing their homework now so they can be ready when federal grant applications are open.
Barring any new influx of money, Mussatto suggested the federal government may have to reprioritize which projects get funding.
"Some may argue that treating our wastewater is a higher priority than building a rec centre," he said.
Mussatto's sentiment was echoed by District of North Vancouver Coun. Roger Bassam, who also attended the conference.
"It's going to be a very significant impact on the local taxpayers and without federal dollars, it's unsustainable," he said.
"We need the province and the feds to come forward with a one-third, one-third, one-third formula similar to Victoria's (wastewater treatment plant.)"
Other hot issues discussed among delegates from around Canada included how local governments are going to have to respond to the effects of climate change beyond rising sea levels, how to dispose of garbage and recycling efficiently, and cellphone towers.
Members of Surrey and Coquitlam's city councils have drawn fire for staying in posh downtown hotels for the three-day conference and passing the bill to taxpayers. However North Vancouver council members and staff who attended not only stayed at home, but also took transit to and from the long days of meetings and mingling, Mussatto said.
