The City of Ottawa is counting on Ontario for a share of money from this year's federal budget, Mayor Larry O'Brien says.

'Now it's up to the provinces to take cities seriously.'— Mayor Larry O'Brien

The 2007 federal budget released Monday boosted transfer payments to the provinces, but gave little direct funding to cities.

O'Brien said the federal government made clear it sees cities as "children of the provinces."

"Now it's up to the provinces to take cities seriously," he said, adding the city needs more money for social programs and that's what he is looking for when the Ontario government releases its budget Thursday.

The federal government did agree Monday to extend gas tax funding to municipalities until 2014. The $2 billion annual transfer to municipalities across the country can be used to pay for roads, public transportation and water.

O'Brien said extending the funding for four extra years was the least the federal government could do.

"I think that provides sustainable funding for cities, but it didn't represent a major increase for us," he said.

NCC, stroke centre get boost

Meanwhile, the National Capital Commission, which manages Crown lands and buildings in the Ottawa-Gatineau area, is receiving an extra $30 million over two years in this year's federal budget — more than enough to cover a $25 million funding shortfall reported by the commission's recent mandate review.

NCC spokeswoman Lucie Caron said it was the Crown corporation's first increase in capital funding since 1992.

"These new funds will certainly help to increase the NCC's ability to manage the many assets that it holds on behalf of all Canadians," she said.

The Heart and Stroke Foundation Centre for Stroke Recovery, which is affiliated with the University of Ottawa, also got a funding boost. It will share $105 million with six other research facilities.