Atlantic Mayors Congress – Minutes

August 26th to the 28th, 2022 Town of Shediac – Multipurpose Centre 58 Festival St, Shediac, NB

Record of all discussions, conversations, names of speaker

Thursday August 26th 9:02 – Welcome remarks, Mayor Caissie

Mayor welcomed the attendees and introduced the housekeeping rules and emergency exits. Recognized the 42nd edition and explained why it was held early and that it was because of Prince Edward Island municipal elections and availability of the Shediac Multipurpose Centre. Mayor Caissie proceed to welcome the new mayors, George Lloyd (Stewiacke), Aldéo Saulnier (Bouctouche), Donna Reardon (Saint John) , Warden, Eleanor Roulston (East Hants). Mayor Caissie acknowledged that some Media are present and thanked L’Acadie Nouvelle for being here. Mayor Caissie advised that Member of the Legislative Assembly, Jacques LeBlanc, who serves Shediac, Beaubassin-Est and Cap Pelé will be present for New Brunswick’s reform Regional Services Commissions

Presented agenda for the next two days.
Roundtable presentation of the delegates
Agenda – Moved by Ian Comeau and seconded by Amanda McDougall. Motion carried Minutes – Moved by Dave Kogon and seconded by Percy Farwell. Motion carried 9:12 – Enhancing Democracy Initiative
Mayor Kogon Introduced Mayor Dawn Arnold.

Mayor Arnold explained the fragility of democracy and the effect of political positions and interest for these type of jobs. Mayor Arnold talked about a personal story of how being a public person has its challenges and advised that this is just one of many examples. She also explained that the city of Moncton saw the creation of enhancing democracy committee that looked at job descriptions for council positions. This committee was responsible for establishing the status of the positions within the council (Full time, part, time, etc.), permanent residence voting (within the white paper), creation of activity reports, attendance report, publish of council decision, a better communication plan for council meetings, better communication on voting and the process, looking at ward inside the municipality to make it equitable, an enhanced Code of Conduct, procedural by laws, Open data on decisions of the council for public, electronic voting.

She went on to mention that it is important to take responsibility in explaining the decision to make sure residents understand decisions. Some decisions seem easy for us to take as we have been in the loop for longer and have received more information than maybe residents have simply by force of being around the council.

It was mentioned that there are differences between corporate communication and the mayor’s communication and that often residents are more critical of the latter.

Agency, boards and commissions evaluation and the role of the municipality inside these.

Mayor Arnold advised that these changes were very great on paper but challenging to execute.

She explained the “Let’s chat Moncton” initiative and its role in public consultation. This permitted residents to receive information on projects that they might not get if they did not ask for it. It gave them a chance to comment on certain projects where they maybe never got the chance before.

The secret sauce is in our youth: She continued to explain the role and objectives of the Youth Committee and the legacy after 18 years of existence. She also mentioned that they have done the same with the Seniors Advisory Committee.

“Moncton’s Big idea” contest with fourth graders: Get kids to come up with an idea that can realistically happen in the city. The winner gets a visit to Town Hall. Very big deal for kids. Engage them at their level so that they start to understand the government at a young age.

Finally, she left us with this tip: We all have a role to play in building democracy and it’s up to us to make it work.

Mayor MacDougall explained a situation about how to get someone involved when they are not happy and writing articles. They engaged him on a committee, and they never heard from them again

Mayor Arnold added that “Let’s chat Moncton” is a tool that lets these types of residents to give feedback.

Mayor MacDougall mentioned the awfulness of council compensation and how there is no winning formula in order to get competent people on the council. Explains the upgraded workload of council members in the last couple of years.

Mayor Arnold spoke to the challenges of growth and the management of this.

Mayor McDougall explained that in her municipality, the compensation file was given to an external committee in order to come up with recommendations. She also mentions that it’s a challenge as they don’t have job descriptions. It is well known that, we, as council members are more accessible to social media and we need to be standing up to keyboard warriors.

Mayor Arnold spoke about an event that she has participated in called “Mean Tweets”. This event was organized by the HubCap Comedy Festival and had invited the three mayors from the region (Dieppe, Moncton, Riverview) to read tweets about them out in public.

Deputy Mayor Lovelace explained that there is a lack of diversity in local government, and that the lack of respect for dialogue is pushing people away. Asking people to participate in meetings and send in letters. How do we counter disinformation? Holding town halls with other levels of government involved would definitely help.

Mr. Pollett mentioned that democracy is in trouble. Real change is likely to happen on the municipal level because of the closeness to the citizens and the partisanship that does not exist publicly in municipal government. The democracy project for 10 years with the purpose of providing back up to our member to help push back. We all have to make our mark and strive on a positive campaign about getting involved in politics.

Mayor Basil Stewart reiterates the importance of working together.

A token of appreciation given to Mayor Dawn Arnold and a donation to the Lions Club of Canada given in her name.

9:54: New Brunswick reform Regional Service Commissions

By Ryan Donaghy, acting deputy minister of Local Government and Local Governance Reform and Gerard Belliveau, Senior Advisor.

Ryan Donaghy started his presentation by mentioning Mayor Arnold’s presentation and the fact that he is a product of youth engagement and that he was heavily involved as a youth.

He explained the Vision of Local Governance Reform, the process to date and the release of the White Paper document that rolls out that vision. In total, they are moving forward with the reduction of local service districts by amalgamation them together in order to form municipal government. They are going from 342 local government and local districts to 89. They feel that this will strengthen local representation therefore eliminate deficits of representation.

They have expanded the mandate of regional service commissions to include solid waste, planning, economic development, community development, tourism, regional transportation, and cost sharing on recreational infrastructure, public safety committee and social mandate.

Gerard Belliveau spoke about new mandates for Regional Service Commissions and that the first review was in 1974. Thereafter, there have been 22 studies requested until the Finn Report.

He shared his knowledge of Economic Development Roles and Responsibilities and that Atlantic Canada is not on the radar for international economic development as there is no cohesive collaboration plan.

He reminds the importance of delegation of tasks and not every man for themselves approach.

He spoke to tourism promotion,

He spoke to Community development roles and responsibilities, for the province, Regional Service Commission and Municipal Government.

He spoke of the advantages of a cost-sharing model for sports, recreational and culture infrastructure and to its purpose and mandate.

He spoke to the latest issues with poverty and that a regional public safety committee would be more beneficial than everyone working at these issues by themselves would.

Mayor Reardon mentioned the Memorial Cup as a good example of cost sharing in big regional Infrastructure.

Comment by the presenter: Spoke to examples of his community with unincorporated areas.

10:22 – Coffee and refreshment break 10:37 – Mayor’s roundtable

Mayor Saulnier, Bouctouche – Project on sewage system 3.1 million, 500 000$ for Downtown with BIA. Good Tourist season. There are currently five residential projects and two small apartment buildings. While it is small in scope, we had no apartments before this year. Our biggest tourism attraction, Le Pays de la Sagouine, received a grant valued at 35 million (shared between the provincial and federal governments)

Mayor Stewart, Summerside – Tremendous development like never before. Canada Games dome completed. Lots of housing and apartments going up. A new hotel is being built. Tourism is up in 2022. Green energy initiatives are being prioritized with a current solar panel project being planned for the near future.

Deputy Mayor Lovelace, Halifax – Creation of gender parity council. 700 000 -900 000 visitors in 2022. World sailing championships will be happening in Halifax next week. They are working on their Climate plan 2050. The very first national urban park for Atlantic Canada. Homelessness and real issues and investments have been made in infrastructure to provide services in mental health services. 30 cranes in the air for development. Looking for a new CAO to replace Jacques Dubé as he is retiring very soon.

Warden Rolston, East Hants – Extremely busy development wise. Approved a unit of 10 000 that was projected to be built in 10 years and they are thinking it will be in 5 years because of demands. Creates challenges, as the 80/20 split is not being met. Business Park is doing well and most land is sold out.

Craig Pollet, Municipalities of Newfoundland and Labrador – Advocating for Regional approach from the provincial government. Looking into implementing code of conduct legislation. Amping up our fiscal and raised revenue with our municipality. Development of Infrastructure initiative with the province plans to create capacity. Emerging issues with funding solvency pensions deficit 20 million issue for 40 municipalities. Retiring at the end of the year after 20 years. Speaks of the potential with PTA to collaborate and network. Speaks very positively of the Atlantic Mayor Congress.

Bruce McDougall, Federation of Prince Edward Island Municipalities – Municipal elections in November. PEI coalition of women to offer leadership programs. Funding municipal housing infrastructure funds from the province. Holland college short training programs for elected officials. Revenue-sharing agreement with the provincial government is coming to an end with a request for 1 yr. extension. Reduction of property taxes. Two municipalities have requested to dissolve. Shared service model for small municipalities. Reports of land matters committee, major change to land use policies.

Mayor Michaud, Sackville – Many good things happening. Fasting growing town in NB for the first time. Affected by amalgamation. The population will grow to 9000 residents. Recognized as a U.N. Ramsar wetland city accreditation for safeguarding of urban wetlands. First in North America. Committee of the council on climate to provide climates lenses to our land purchase or infrastructure. Climate coordinator hired. Secure funding to complete phase 3 of water mitigation project. Developing ponds to retain fresh water. Chignecto Isthmus Climate Change Adaptation Comprehensive study being done. Will recommend that the new town joins the AMC.

Mayor Macdonald, Port Cove St, completed trails master plan to join two communities. New 5-year strategic plan. Funding to transition town fleet to electrical vehicles. Five vehicles in 2022. Press conference to announce 100 000$ for a splash pad. Partner ship with City of St Johns, 60 000$ for ways to find improvement of local amenities. Opportunity to show historic facts. FCM grant of 50 000$ to purchase software for asset management plan.

Mayor MacDougall – Cape Breton Regional Municipality – Overhaul of Charlotte St in the Downtown core. Pedestrian friendly, trees. NSCC moving campus to the waterfront has push development to our downtown. Cannot buy commercial property. While good, it brings challenges. Highest rate of child poverty and drug use. New Community centre being built at 15 million to help with mental health. Cruise ship industry is booming and use of second berth. Electrification of our transit. Plan for new transit facility. Central Library discussion is being held with council. Analysing the roles of council members. Overhaul of our municipal strategy.

Federation of Nova Scotia Municipalities – In the absence of the executive director, past President Mayor MacDougall reported that nothing is slowing down. Review of the municipal government act and the service exchange agreement. Restructuring organization. Code of conduct review. Oversea a new fund thru the province for environmental project.

Mayor Lloy, Town of Stewiacke – Growth has been up from 1370 to 1700 residents and projected 2000 next year. 15 million in permits in 2022. Challenges infrastructure deficit, staffing, water source. Retroactive payment to RCMP. Solar for community program is a success. MGM tempered glace has relocated to Stewiacke. New 24-unit apartment that will help housing. New business relocating in our town. Economic parity with Colchester and Stewiacke is very successful. Reduction of taxes. Thanks his staff of 12 for there work over the years. Strategic plan for tourism, infrastructure, affordable housing.

Mayor Reardon – City of Saint John – Setting the town “on fire”. Four big priorities have been identified. Tax reform is huge for them. Matching dollars for the peninsula. Affordable, post secondary education. Integrated health initiative. Transforming transit. Electric buses. Port of Saint John is growing. Area 506 festival project is getting recognition. Memorial cup was a true success. The Saint John women behind the only Canadian stopover of the Maiden Factor 2022 tour. The Maiden Factor is an all-female ocean sailing yacht on a three-year world tour.

Mayor Arnold – City of Moncton – Workforce challenges are a reality at City Hal with 65 openings. Community and energy emission plan, urban growth strategy are moving forward. We have developed everything that is easy and now are looking into how do we keep developing as the demand is very present. Homelessness challenge is very hard and the need for provincial government to get involved has never been so required. Interested in solving the social issues and prepare a paper on the matter. Hosting the World Junior in 2022 because of past visionary who new an investment in Avenir Centre would pay dividends and this is simply one example. 100 million in spinoffs from the Avenir Centre being built and the downtown continuous effort to diversify our downtown core. Aggressive on immigration. Lowered taxes of 10 cents in 2022 in order to try to help residents with the high home evaluations.

Mayor Blair – Colchester County – Population of 3800 residents. We are working closely with neighbours. We are doing a policing review to look at what we are getting for our money from the RCMP. Business Park in Debert is currently working on a strategic plan. Housing concept was developed for Debert with over 560 units on 50 acre of land. Debert airport is hosting the

Atlantic Airshow on this weekend. Airport needs work. Very little funding. Debert aviation centre work closely with them. There is a lack of affordable housing and a big demand for growth. School being revamped. Carbon free Colchester In place. Solar panels on home and business. Cozy Colchester with funding from FCM grant of 2.6 millions. Salt march reclamation. Regional accessibility plan has been worked on. Municipal boundary review that questions the amount of councillor. Cumberland county agreement on rural broadband. The Cliffs of Fundy Geopark, spanning the Fundy shore of Cumberland and Colchester counties from Apple River to Lower Truro, has officially been named a “UNESCO Global Geopark”.

Mayor Chamberlain, City of Bathurst – Reform will make Bathurst a city with 15 000 residents. Lots of work with the reform. Working collaboratively with neighbors on cost sharing for Transportation. The city now has its economic development officer. 17 acre of Affordable housing (100 units) are in the process of being developed. Economic development downtown is happening. Worried about healthcare. No afterhours clinics. Worried about workforce. 6000 people with no family Dr. The pulp mill to be cleaned up, as it is dangerous and looking to other level of government to cost share. Study to see the effect of this pulp mill. Tourism has been good, but challenges on the promotion and information being available.

Mayor Comeau, City of Campbellton – Will be 11 195 residents after amalgamation. Busy with transition. Re seeking election for the new municipality. Tourism has been amazing; our restaurants have been booming other than Mondays and Tuesday where some are closed. Many issues with Healthcare with aging population. 200 private planes to come and fish in our Salmon camps on the Restigouche River. RCMP retroactive pay is a concern. Civic centre celebrating 30 years. Aggressive investor are interest but we need to look at incentive.

Mayor Dicks, Town of New Glasgow – Mentions similarities with all the municipalities. After 10 years of experience, it is great to be comfortable and knowledgeable. Has hired a dedicated resource to manage climate change. Has joined many committees and associations. Approved climate plan. Spoke to amalgamation in 2016 and talked about the importance to work together and please with project like improvement of Clayton Park. Pictou County wellness Centre came with many difficulties in cost sharing especially with the energy. Significant announcement coming soon for the community.

Mayor Farwell , Town of Gander – Central Newfoundland has literally been on fire for the last month and many evacuation had to happen. The situation is stable but not done. Brought reflection to emergency and safety plan. Received help from Quebec with water bombers. Busy summer visitation wise, lots of visitors. Brought challenges to the airline industry, rental industry. Busy construction season with residential boom. Upgrade at the base. Affordable Housing challenges. Memorial University adds 30 extra seats for nurse. Business need to bring immigration workers. Healthcare reform with the province. Impact on our major regional hospital. 21st anniversary of September 11th – Hosting a memorial service because of Gander’s ties to this event. NHL pre-season in October in conjunction with Kraft Hockeyville and Twillingate.

At this point and with time moving along it was decided that the roundtable would be stopped and continued later.

12:15 – Luncheon and Shediac Smart Energy Community Project

Mayor Roger Caissie presented the next guest: Brent Staeben, director of Smart Grid Atlantic with NB Power Corporation

Mayour Saulnier asked about the investment of this project and Mayor Caissie advised that in total the investment was 32 million.

12:45 – HalifACT – Net zero Economy 2050

Mayor MacDougall presented deputy mayor Lovelace from Halifax.

The HalifACT plan adopted in June 2020 the 30-year plan and will require an investment of 10 million.

Mayor Arnold – Mentioned their bravery for implementing the new tax

Mayor Stewart inquired about the source of the funding for this project and Deputy Mayor Lovelace mention that for the moment it was being offered by the federal government.

1:15 – Atlantic procurement Agreement

Mayor Arnold presented Mayor McDougall.

Mayor McDougall shared a story that happened in her community with about two car dealer who where unhappy with the city in relation with the procurement process and how off island company win bids. Amanda is looking at the group for help on how to make sure our local companies get a little bit of a boost or preference in an equitable way.

Mayor Comeau talked about a business from his area in Shediac doing work because local companies jump their prices. How can a company, who has to pay travel and hotel, compete with locals?

Support local is a very slippery slope. Risk of other companies not bidding on the job making it less competitive and will only augment cost. Suggested maybe on smaller contracts but see challenges on bigger contract. Talked about how staff in the past needed to come from her community to work in her community and that she felt this was not fair.

Mayor McDougall speaks to the reasoning behind bringing this up to this meeting and this group and looking for somewhat of back up on the matter.

Mayor Saulnier speaks about challenges with taking a local business that underbid and now has challenges of supplying the service.

Dan Murphy mentions that regional economic exemptions from government of NB to sole- source. He has some slides that can be sent to the group. Some criteria were put in place. It was designed more for the purchase of equipment.

Mayor Caissie, gives the example of the Shediac Multipurpose Centre where the Town acted as the general contractor and farmed out the sub contractors. Smart grid project with NB Power did some sole sourcing as well with an internal project manager.

Mayor Arnold has not had good experience with this in the medical benefits as one of the local companies that is the biggest employer in the city did not win the bid. Maybe a criteria could be social return on investment with 5% for companies that give back to community.

Craig Pollet says that this is a very touchy subject that requires a lot of discussion. 80% of court cases with municipality are related to procurement. Procurement Act allows other metrics but need to be very careful on how you draw up your tender. Residents are looking for the best price for their taxes return. Canoe procurement is an association put in place by municipal association in order to help with this process. Advised that a lot of company do not know the procurement world and how it works

Mayor Macdonald thinks the lowest tender is not the best tender. Talks to an example about a water and sewer project with a 50 000$ difference from the lowest bidder with a bidder from 7 hours away. Company came back with issues that are locally known, but in the end change orders make the contract higher than the other lowest bidder.

Mayor Chamberlain has had similar experiences and looking at having a better process. She feels there is an agreement between certain sectors that controls who bids where and it’s bringing up the cost.

Mayor Gregory continues to say that change orders are out of control and end up costing a lot of money.

Mayor Caissie speaks about the lowest bidder not always being the best company for the job and often times a company that doesn’t have a good experience is still chosen.

Mayor McDougall thanks everybody for the feedback and appreciates everyone’s time and input on this subject.

1:45 – Basic Income Canada Coalition

Deputy Mayor Lovelace introduces the speakers in accordance with the presenter biographer’s document.

Councillor Mason mentioned that the problems we use to attribute to the western province is now here in the east and it is unclear the roles of everybody to try and solve this and roles evolve. It is often thought that the responsibility and moneys for this are provincially mandate, but municipalities are on the ground and the problem is in our face daily.

Mayor Stewart asked how do you make sure that what they need are really what they need (BMW VS CHEV). Why don’t we advocate for higher social program payout.

Elizabeth Raining Kay responded that the province cannot finance this alone and need the involvement of the federal government. The poverty line is calculated with the help of standards and market. Why should we police what people buy.

Mayor Arnold says that the federal government is not on the radar and not willing to offer more. Lots of work is being done municipality and provincially. What work are you doing nationally?

Elizabeth Raining Kay – One bill in the senate and another one in the house. Mentioned the PEI project. We are here to ask to put more pressure on the federal government as data shows positive trends.

2:30 – Coffee and Refreshement 2:45 – Eco 360 – Waste Management

Meeting adjourned at 4:12

Saturday August 27th 2022

9:32 Mayor Caissie brought the meeting to order and ask Mayor Stewart to present the next subject and speaker

FCM National Update –

Mayor Stewart presents the guest Mayor Blair.

She mentioned that she in new in her role as the chair of the Atlantic region, other are also part, such as, Mayor McDougall.

She spoke to the fires in NFLD and she mentions that they are in our thought while they go thru these challenging times.

The FCM mandate continues to be to build sustainable communities. The FCM is the voice in place to support goals and objectives from municipalities. They are currently 2000 members or 92% of the Canadian population. The supply and confidence agreement motion was carried thru for another 3 yrs. The 2022 Budget recognized that municipalities are the key to resolving issues. They are looking at increasing provincial and federal recognition on climate change, housing, etc. Homelessness is a top-of-mind issue in many of our communities and for that reason the FCM secured significant rapping housing initiative. There is currently a narrative that points the municipalities in housing crisis as the ones to solve the issue. The FCM proactive work engage with 4 billion housing funds. They think the commitment of housing fund must be designed with municipalities

Infrastructure programs – permanent transportation funds, Canada community building funds

She advised that government is looking to FCM for leadership and support on many subjects.

On the RCMP Retroactive cost, the president of the FCM is quoted as stating that this is his top priority. FCM staff has prepared email template to send out to local MLA to make sure RCMP retroactive cost is an urgent matter.

Mayor Stewart – Commended mayor Blair on her work with the challenges in her community. Looking for update on gas tax and see if it’s possible to use the RCMP Retroactive cost as a negotiation tool

Deputy Mayor Lovelace – encouraged other mayors to email their member of parliament. Encourage the template. We cannot bare that cost of retroactive pay and will cripple all of us.

10:00 – Continued mayor round table from the day before

Warden Linda Gregory, District of Digby – The district will host from September 1st to the 4th the motorcycle event called Warf Rat Rally. Tourism has been a lot better that what they have seen in the past. Another lighthouse is happening after waiting for 12 yrs. Lack of housing, people staying in tents and people’s garage. Only getting 9 members of RCMP when paying for 16 members. Crime is on the rise. Fish plant that brings in foreign worker from Korea and Jamaica who are getting involved in the community. Bought a hotel for housing and is currently being renovated. Hired of community navigator to help with hiring.

Mayor Kogon, Town of Amherst – Housing is also a challenge for Amherst and working with MLA to reach out to developers to assist in developing more house. Often challenge on acquiring the land. Town is looking at buying some parcel in order to help with this issue. 5 major developments in discussion. Street building is a challenge for developers. Front the money and have a repay system for roads. Lost of employees because cannot find a place to live. Loosing the opportunity to retain qualified staff. Hiring a community navigator as a shared cost. Policing has its own police department and is proud of it and prepared to expand our police department to the county of Cumberland. Led Roadway lighting pilot project to move into a second generation of lights covered at 80% by the province.

Comment by Mayor Stewart to advise that they will be looking at the development of expanding policing as well.

Mayor Roger Caissie, Town of Shediac – Growth has been amazing. Never let a good crisis go to waste. Record couple of year for construction permits at 25 million in 2019, 55 million 2021 and an expected over 70 million by the end of 2022. Expansion of boundary and managing growth so community can benefit from. 14% growth. Spoke to representation of gender equity. Tourism has been good for the Town of Shediac. Spoke to the Rotary Park (Big Lobster) and the newly 8 million Homarus building.

10 :00 – Members forum

Deputy Mayor Lovelace as proposed a discussion around a guaranteed working income. A proposed resolution is distributed to the group.

Deputy Mayor Lovelace – Thanks to Matt for his support and goes on to explain that homelessness and policing and mental health and social work are all associated and are all part of the solution. She wants to find a way to relieve the pressure on municipalities to fix this issue. She mentions that 25% of our children are living in poverty. There is evidence that exists that basic income helps with homelessness and poverty, but we do not have the capacity as municipalities to help.

Mayor Caissie spoke to his experience in housing as a professional and how the situation hasn’t changed in the past 15 years. We need to try something different. Find way to house the workforce that is here and if this is not an option, they will go work elsewhere. Wants government to at least do something,

Mayor Comeau prefers to talk to his council before supporting such resolution and mentions that this could be brought at another meeting,

Mayor Stewart feels the same and he would like to bring to his council. Upgrade to the assistance program. Where the money will come if we get this from the Federal government. What will be lost?

Mayor Kogon is concerned that employability of people and wants more information on this subject as he worries that people won’t go to work and not necessarily help build a workforce. Supports that if it can reduce poverty and homelessness he fully supports

Mayor Farwell speaks to the task force called. Re-staffing the health system to be more effective. Disproportion of health income are impacted by social deterrents. Government is being challenged to take action aimed at effecting health care. Speaks to the way that resolutions are brought at the ACM compared to other association, where we have resolutions beforehand in order to get feedback with respective council.

Mayor Chamberlain speaks to how some funds are abused when it comes to homelessness and poverty. How are we going to do this without abuse? Pilot program with 10 women where not one of the mothers finished the program because of the affect of the program on their welfare check. Speaks to personal experiences and situations in here community. Advise to be careful with this file not to create abuse.

Warden Roulston mentions that there will always be the people who use them for not the right reasons, but the number people who will benefits from this makes it necessary and agreeable. Fully supports a fully funded basic income fund. Speaks to personal experience with people in her family struggling with finding job. Advise that all federal parties be lobbied on this and not only the party in power.

Mayor MacDougall will bring a workshop to the NS municipality association on the subject

Mayor Lovelace finishes by answering some questions on abuse of the system. When its left up to the province they do as much as they can but cannot say the same for federal gov. Example of the Childcare benefits and the augmentation of kids in sport. Speaks to personal experiences with income assistant and realized how the system was broken.

The motion was not voted on and will be brought at a future meeting. Motion can be found bellow.

11:00 – Englobe, engineering, consulting and project management

Guest was presented by mayor Farewell as per bio.

11:30 – Invitation plans

Mayor Kogon shares his congratulations on a successful congress in Shediac. He is excited to bring the spring conference in Amherst. They are currently looking at May 11-12-13th 2023 for

possible dates. changed to June 8-10,2023
A discussion is opened on meeting format and organization and suggestions going forward.

It is advised that the association is short on member. Some would like to see more opportunity for member to speak about issues in their communities.

Mayor Farwell – Agrees to more of these opportunities

Mayor Gregory – Opportunities to have longer discussions on certain subject. Great learning experience but wants discussions.

Mayor Caissie – Change the timeline of the forum where members are more present (not Saturday morning)

Matt – Advised that he would like to know topics ahead of time so that he can share with membership and give them the opportunity to reflect on the subject.

Mayor Stewart- Resolution to support the FCM for the police cost. Matt- A letter was sent to the prime minister and the minister of safety Meeting adjourn by Mayor Stewart

Motion :

Atlantic Mayors Congress 2022: Guaranteed Livable Basic Income

WHEREAS, the growing social crisis and impacts of poverty have downstream effects on municipalities, putting unsustainable pressure on their limited resources to deliver necessary public services and social supports as they struggle to keep up with downloaded responsibilities.

WHEREAS, Basic Income addresses key social determinants of health, such as income and housing, it can alleviate pressures on municipalities to address poverty and fill gaps in social supports, such as shelter, housing, food security and mental health. Research and pilots shows that when people have a sufficient and secure income their mental and physical health improves; they have the capacity to secure more affordable, suitable, and safe housing, childcare, healthy food, and transportation; and poverty rates decrease.

WHEREAS, the provision of a guaranteed livable basic income would benefit individuals, families and communities and protect the most vulnerable in society, it would also support community resilience by facilitating the transition to a local economy that responds to the climate crisis and other major challenges. Evidence shows that a federally funded basic income that improves people’s financial stability is possible, as successful income transfer programs already exist in Canada for seniors (Old Age Security and the Guaranteed Income Supplement) and parents (Canada Child Benefit (CCB).

THEREFORE, be it resolved that the Atlantic Mayors Congress write a letter to the Prime Minister, Atlantic Members of Parliament, and Premiers of New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, Newfoundland and Labrador, and Nova Scotia, calling on these orders of government to implement a Guaranteed Livable Basic Income to eradicate poverty and homelessness, and ensure everyone has sufficient income to meet their basic needs.

Motion was tabled until each member of AMC has a chance to speak with their respective council.