Corner Brook city hall concerned about capital works projects and waste water treatment with less funding

At this week’s public meeting, Mayor Linda Chaisson spoke about what they learned and that communities are suffering financially with higher prices and less funding.

A change in the way government hands out funding for municipalities generated a lot of discussion at the Municipalities NL meeting this past weekend in Gander. Capital Works money will now be allocated for four years instead of three, meaning the money has to be spread out more. Corner Brook Mayor Linda Chaisson, Deputy Mayor Pam Keeping and Councillor Donna Luther attended the weekend meeting. At this week’s public meeting, Chaisson spoke about what they learned and that communities are suffering financially with higher prices and less funding. Luther added that no one wants to increase taxes but certain services are mandated to be provided. 

On Bayfm with Lenny Benoit this week, Mayor Chaisson said while Corner Brook did get what was applied for at  $4.5M but it will have an impact on plans with decaying infrastructure. Chaisson says this means the city has to provide more services with less money and waste water treatment has to start. 

Late last year, Environment and Climate Change Canada sent a letter to the city hall saying Corner Brook is a high-risk system and non-compliant for dumping waste water into the ocean, including raw sewage.  It also said the city could face fines,  penalties and even jail time for elected officials or staff. Back in 2017, a sewage treatment plant would have cost the city $85M and today it would be between $120-$130M. The federal government has set a target of having 100% of wastewater treated by the year 2040.