Municipalities Newfoundland and Labrador is concerned about changes to the two pots of money for towns and cities to expand and replace roads and water and sewer systems.
The provincial government took 15 municipalities out of the multi-year capitals works program and lumped them in with the rest of the towns as well as local service districts. That left the seven largest municipalities in the multi-year program, which was the original intent of the structure a few years ago.
MNL President Amy Coady says one of their concerns is with the flow of money for the “large seven” program, which could set projects back by two years.
She says they’re hearing that no money will be allocated this year, and that applications for 2027 won’t be accepted until 2027, which means that it will be 2028 before work actually starts – all this as municipal infrastructure continues to age.
Lucy Stoyles (VOCM file photo)
MHA says Mount Pearl set to lose more than $3.3 million
Meanwhile Mount Pearl North MHA, Lucy Stoyles is calling on government to reverse the changes, She met with Mount Pearl city officials and minister Barry Petten to address what she calls “serious concerns raised by municipalities.
Under the changes made in the province’s most recent budget, Mount Pearl is set to lose more than $3.3 million in infrastructure funding over the next four years.
Stolyes says that will have a direct impact on the city’s ability to invest in roads, water and sewer upgrades and other municipal infrastructure projects.
She calls that “significant and unacceptable” and the funding needs to be restored.
Transportation and Infrastructure Minister Barry Petten (VOCM News)
Minister says changes were necessary
Minister Barry Petten has explained that changes were required as there were no guidelines in place to determine eligibility, and that the program had become a mess.
Coady says the changes caught them by surprise, but they are talking with government about being at the table when such items are being reviewed.
