Asking for an explanation
Tory MLAs calling for equalization audit
Three Cape Breton Progressive Conservative MLAs have asked the province’s auditor general to review the municipal equalization payment model for Nova Scotia.
Eddie Orrell,
Alfie MacLeod and Keith Bain sent a letter directly to Michael Pickup’s office Friday.
In an interview MacLeod, the MLA for
Sydney River-Mira-Louisbourg, said the move came two weeks after they had sent a letter to Liberal Premier Stephen McNeil and Minister for Municipal Affairs, Derek Mombourquette, asking for them to support the call for the auditor general to conduct the audit. MacLeod said when they received no acknowledgement of their letter they opted to approach the auditor general’s office directly.
Watchdog group Nova Scotians for Equalization Fairness has been taking aim at the annual $1.8 billion federal equalization payment that Nova Scotia receives from Ottawa and how it relates to the Cape Breton Regional Municipality’s economic situation. The group argues that the cashstrapped
CBRM is entitled to much more than the $15 million it receives annually from the province and that the transfer to the municipality should be closer to $239 million.
“One of the things that you need as a starting point is to know exactly how the money is distributed,” MacLeod said.
When asked what his own opinion is, MacLeod said Cape Breton doesn’t appear to be getting the amount to which it is likely entitled. Whether the numbers are what is argued by Nova Scotians for Equalization Fairness is unclear, he said, adding the auditor general could help to determine that.
“Hopefully this will at least give us a definite starting point where we can look at it and compare apples to apples,” MacLeod said.
It’s important to have the review completed by an independent office such as the auditor general, MacLeod added, adding there is an urgency in many people’s minds that the issue be addressed. It’s something that is not only important to Cape Breton but across the province, he said.
“We have a government that claims to be transparent but it seems very hard to get the window open,” MacLeod said.
He added he doesn’t know how long it may take to receive a response from Pickup’s office, however in his experience the office tends to be very efficient.
“One in three children in Cape Breton lives in poverty. It breaks my heart,” Orrell, the MLA for Northside-Westmount, said in a news release. “We can’t stand by and say nothing, so in the interest of fairness and common decency, it’s time to act.”
“Every day, the three of us come face-to-face with issues that prevent Cape Bretoners from living healthy and fulfilling lives,” Bain, the MLA for Victoria-The Lakes, said in the release. “Those people deserve to have their concerns answered.”