FCM seeks federal help

PRINCED GEORGE – Municipalties are sounding the alarm over their finances with the advent of the COVID-19 pandemic. With the closure of civic facilities and the loss of gaming grants, amongst other things, the City of Prince George estimates it is losing $912,000 per month. And it is not alone. The Federation of Canadian Municipalities estimates the City of Toronto is losing $17 million per month.

It is for that reason the FCM has approached the federal government for emergency funding to the tune of no less than $10 billion dollars. Of that money, it is suggested $7.6 billion be meted out amongst Canadian communities based on population. The remaining $2.4 billion will go to communities that offer transit.

1st Vice President for FCMP, Garth Frizzell says he is optimistic the funds will be forthcoming.

“The Cabinet is paying attention to this and they care about what’s going on in municipalities and they see with a model [of property taxes] it just isn’t sufficient in a time like this.”