Callander mayor says budget doesn't address small communites

Callander Mayor Hector Lavigne
News Release

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Tuesday's announcements of funding programs through the new Federal Budget still create concerns for smaller communities such as the Municipality of Callander.

In a statement, Mayor Hector Lavigne acknowledged the efforts of the Federal and Provincial governments for stimulus infrastructure funding. However, the concern of Council is the prerequisite for “shovel ready” projects that can be launched within the next 2 years. He noted “there are many worthwhile health and safety projects on the table for Council to consider. Sadly, given our limited resources of dollars, time and professional services, these projects take longer to get ready than in larger communities.”

Mayor Lavigne concluded by saying “Perhaps it is time for the senior levels of government to recognize the problems faced by smaller municipalities and introduce more flexibility on the concept of ‘shovel ready’.” He added a further concern in noting “there will be challenges in finding our one third funding share without considering either long-term debt or significant increases in our levies to ratepayers.”

Council’s considerations of potential ‘shovel ready’ projects and methods of financing them will continue through the municipal budget process.

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