Some west coast municipal and community leaders are describing Tuesday’s provincial budget as one that keeps the status quo with no real surprises.
Looking through the details there are some things specific to the west coast, including $8 million for continued development of the new hospital in Corner Brook and money for a flood-risk mapping study for the Humber Valley.
Then there’s things like the deficit and borrowing, energy bills, home buyers’ programs, payroll taxes and operating and municipal capital works money that will impact communities all over the province.
Here’s what those municipal and community leaders had to say about the budget:
New hospital
Mayor Jim Parsons
Corner Brook
“I’m assuming that’s continuing on with the request for proposals process.
“They did an RFQ (request for qualifications) earlier and this will take it to the next stage with a refined set of vendors.
“It’s a public-private partnership deal again. So, this will, I guess, just continue this process.
“Things seem to be on track from what they announced this (past) fall.”
Keith Goulding
President, Greater Corner Brook Board of Trade
“There is an investment in the hospital. It’s not nearly going to be enough to get the work done.
“It gets us through the next stage of engineering.
“So, while it’s not nearly enough, it’s good to see the hospital still a focus of attention.”
Operating grants and municipal capital works
Mayor Jim Parsons
Corner Brook
“It’s good to hear they’re continuing to invest in capital works and their cost-shared programs with the federal government.
“We operate in three- and four-year cycles when it comes to capital works projects. So, we’re in the middle of one of those processes now, so we have funding through 2020 sort of lined up for a number of projects.
“There are other funds though that we try to access and these are shared with the federal government, between the federal, provincial and municipal governments.
“We’re always applying for more money, of course, but when it comes to provincial specific multi-year capital things are in the queue.”
Mayor Gary Bishop
Pasadena
“As far as I know they’re going to maintain the status quo on MOGs (municipal operating grants.
“The municipal operating grant, obviously helps us out a little bit.
“We have a three-year multi-works program already. So, we’re OK to 2020.
“A lot of smaller communities, obviously because of limitations on their financial situation, they can only go from year to year. And we’ve been fortunate enough to have some foresight into having some reserve funds that we moved forward on a three-year plan and we’ve got three-year funding from the province.
“That’s helped us quite a bit.”
Deficit and borrowing
Keith Goulding
President, Greater Corner Brook Board of Trade
“I like the fact that they’re being a little more thrifty with their spending.”
Homebuyers’ program
Mayor Gary Bishop
Pasadena
“We’re hoping that some people in this area will avail of that program.
“It’s an expanded program and the increase in the threshold for the salaries from $65,000 to $75,000, I think is a move in the right direction.”
Nalcor and energy rates
Mayor Jim Parsons
Corner Brook
“I know a lot of the media attention will be around Nalcor, but I think the one thing (that stood out) was the commitment that energy costs wouldn’t double for the rate payers, for the person on the street, which is comforting.
“The Finance minister said that they were working to ensure that wasn’t going to be the case. I hope they can find a solution there.”
Deputy Mayor Mike Goosney
Deer Lake
“All in all, Nalcor is tied to Muskrat Falls and I do think they’re taking the right steps to separate away from one or the other. Oil and gas is one and power is another.
“But at the end of the day that affects us all most.
“We all have that same one power bill.”
Payroll tax
Keith Goulding
President, Greater Corner Brook Board of Trade
“There’s some benefit for small businesses in terms of the changes to the ceiling for payroll tax.
“That’s going to help small businesses in our community. So, I’m in favour of anything that supports small-business growth.”
Humber Valley flood risk study
Deputy Mayor Mike Goosney
Deer Lake
“I personally think it’s a warranted study that should give residents comfort knowing that government is proceeding in ways to mitigate areas that are highlighted as potential areas of concern.
“If anything, it should ease concerns knowing that government is taking steps to mitigate any potential impacts. Not only to protect our resources, obviously, but most importantly the safety of the residents.
“To know, I don’t care what colour the provincial party is, that they’re looking ahead being proactive more than reactive is definitely a positive step forward.”
Mayor Gary Bishop
Pasadena
“It seems to have come to the forefront this year as more of an issue than it has been in previous years.
“But, of course, we’ve always got to be looking at any risk of flooding to our area.
“We have had some here and they have in other areas like Deer Lake.
“It’s certainly something that’s welcome. It’s obviously something that needs to be done so we can evaluate the risk.”