A Saint John councillor wants to make sure candidates in September’s provincial election are aware of the city’s wish list for legislative change.
The city and province recently singed a three-year deal to help the city eliminate its structural deficit, and an initial plan must be delivered by January — just weeks after the election.
Coun. Gary Sullivan has asked the city manager to prepare a briefing memo for the leaders of each party and all candidates running in Saint John.
“If we can get all of the candidates in Saint John talking the same language we are,” says Sullivan, “it makes us stronger going in and faster coming out of the election, as well.”
Some of the legislative changes include amalgamation or regionalization, fair taxation, and the ability to launch for-profit businesses.
City manager Jeff Trail says the timing of the document is ideal for the city.
“We’re now months away from a provincial election and many of the items we’ve identified over the recent months are very much in control of the provincial government and outside the control of the municipal level of government,” says Trail.
The briefing memo will come back to Common Council for final approval once it’s been written.
