News Release
MacIsaac Criticized for Poor Response
(Friday, October 19/2001)-- District 6 Councillor Brian Warshick said he was deeply disappointed today with Municipal Affairs Minister Angus MacIsaac's vague response to a proposal by the Union of Nova Scotia Municipalities regarding the Province's new Equalization formula.
Councillor Warshick said the Minister had a perfect opportunity to address any concerns that he had about UNSM's proposal before the 300 delegates attending the Union's annual meeting in Sydney, but instead chose to share his thoughts with the media Thursday in advance of his speaking engagement in Sydney today.
The Councillor said Mr. MacIsaac imposed very strict deadlines for the municipalities to respond to its Equalization plans, and those deadlines were met.
"Yet, he comes here today, says he doesn't accept our proposal and doesn't give us any reasons why. How are we supposed to have a good working relationship with the Province if we are treated this way?" he said.
The Province announced earlier this year that it intended to levy tax dollars from the financially stable municipal units in Nova Scotia and transfer those funds to those experiencing financial difficulties. The UNSM, led by Halifax Regional Municipality, proposed an alternative in June to have all municipalities levy a Deed Transfer Tax instead, and to turn those funds over to the Province to fund the Equalization payments.
Councillor Warshick said the Province's original plan would cost the municipality about $14 million a year, compared to $7.7 million under the UNSM proposal.
He said "Equalization, if it has to be, should not be implemented in such a way that it pits one municipality against another, nor should it be imposed by the Province using the backs of the municipal taxpayer. The residents of District 6 and others throughout HRM are not prepared to give tax dollars raised in our Districts to another municipality. The Province's approach is not equalization, but penalization as far as HRM is concerned."
Councillor Warshick said Mr. MacIsaac told delegates the Province would have more to say about Equalization to the municipalities in the New Year. However, that comes at a time when most municipalities have set, or are about to set, their Budgets for the next year.
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Councillor Brian Warshick
(902) 488-3800
