Easing the financial burden
MLA Brad Trivers tables amendments to Municipalities Act
Brad Trivers says small municipalities are being overly burdened by costs under the province’s Municipal Government Act.
The Rustico-Emerald MLA has introduced three amendments to the act that he believes will help smaller towns address some of these costs. If adopted, they would allow the province to absorb the costs of municipal services, pay the salaries of staff and allow the municipality to maintain an office outside the town.
During a recent public meeting in Prince County, Trivers said he heard from councillors in St-Nicholas who told him they were concerned about the costs their council will be required to pay.
“Small municipalities, they feel that the municipal government act is really pinching them. They feel under a lot of pressure to raise taxes, so they can comply with the act,” Trivers said.
Trivers said his amendments would allow the minister of communities, land and environment the option to take on costs required of municipalities.
During debate on one of these amendments on Tuesday, government members raised several questions.
Deputy Speaker Kathleen Casey asked if Trivers had determined an estimate for the costs that might be incurred as a result of these changes
Trivers responded that the costs would solely be at the discretion of the minister, and that the amendments were simply intended to allow the province the option of taking on these costs.
Communities, Land and Environment Minister Richard Brown asked if Trivers had consulted with the Federation of P.E.I. Municipalities. Trivers responded that he had not.
Brown then said the Municipal Government Act required consultation with the Federation of P.E.I. Municipalities if substantive changes are made.
Brown accused Trivers of disrespecting the Federation of P.E.I. Municipalities.
“I have respect for the Federation of Municipalities. I sat on the Federation of Municipalities for several years. They do excellent work,” Brown said during debate on the bill.
“You know what, the people that sit on that board, they’re pretty smart individuals. They don’t need any advice from you at this point in time.”
In an interview, Trivers said the amendments were not substantial enough to require consultation.
“These are meant to be tweaks to the legislation,” Trivers told The Guardian.
The PCs have long been critics of the Municipal Government Act, which came into effect in late 2017. Since the act was passed, the communities of Montague, Georgetown, Brudenell, Cardigan, Lorne Valley, Lower Montague and Valleyfield have undergone a lengthy process of amalgamation. Many residents of unincorporated areas included in the new municipality opposed the amalgamation.