Timmins council begins budget talks
Timmins council has taken its first look at the proposed 2023 municipal budget. The city's treasurer and chief administrative officer presented the extensive budget package for discussion on Tuesday.
As it stands now, taxpayers would be looking at a tax increase of around 3.2 per cent. Council is still expecting to hear from other boards and committees and there could be additional funding requests.
“If we didn’t want to have any sort of increase, we definitely would be looking at reducing services; cancelling planned projects," said mayor Michelle Boileau
"We’d really have to be pulling back.”
Not all councillors have submitted their requests either. Ward 3 Councillor Bill Gvozdanovic said the feedback he's received so far from people is that Ward 3 is "like a forgotten ward."
"We’re not looking for five or 10 million dollars of investment, but we’re looking for something on a yearly basis that’s guaranteed to make sure that we see some improvements in our community," he said.
Councillor John Curley who represents Porcupine also wants to make sure things like public washrooms in Connaught are built and that the replacement of the Hoyle Bridge is completed as soon as possible.
“So I’d like to see that happening this year for sure," said Curley.
"Design and possibly start even tearing down of the old bridge just to get that work going a little quicker otherwise we’re looking at could be another two years and that’s a long time to wait I think for a safety area.”
- Download our app to get local alerts on your device
- Get the latest local updates right to your inbox
The mayor said council knows that inflation is having an impact on taxpayers, but she said there would be no progress without investment.
“We want to ensure that should there be an increase ... that those funds will be used wisely, strategically and that as I said they will be an investment that will stimulate future growth," said Boileau.
This week's budget meeting was the first of more to come. The mayor said a new council and the treasurer's recent return from a leave of absence have delayed the financial discussions until now.
Boileau told CTV News she expects the budge will be ready for a vote at the end of March.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
B.C. tenants evicted for landlord's use after refusing large rent increase to take over neighbouring suite
Ashley Dickey and her mother rented part of the same Coquitlam duplex in three different decades under three different landlords.
Mountain guide dies after falling into a crevasse in Banff National Park
A man who fell into a crevasse while leading a backcountry ski group deep in the Canadian Rockies has died.
Expert warns of food consumption habits amid rising prices
A new survey by Dalhousie University's Agri-Food Analytics Lab asked Canadians about their food consumption habits amid rising prices.
MPP Sarah Jama asked to leave Ontario legislature for wearing keffiyeh
MPP Sarah Jama was asked to leave the Legislative Assembly of Ontario by House Speaker Ted Arnott on Thursday for wearing a keffiyeh, a garment which has been banned at Queen’s Park.
Charlie Woods, son of Tiger, shoots 81 in U.S. Open qualifier
Charlie Woods failed to advance in a U.S. Open local qualifying event Thursday, shooting a 9-over 81 at Legacy Golf & Tennis Club.
Ex-tabloid publisher testifies he scooped up possibly damaging tales to shield his old friend Trump
As Donald Trump was running for president in 2016, his old friend at the National Enquirer was scooping up potentially damaging stories about the candidate and paying out tens of thousands of dollars to keep them from the public eye.
Here's why provinces aren't following Saskatchewan's lead on the carbon tax home heating fight
After Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said the federal government would still send Canada Carbon Rebate cheques to Saskatchewan residents, despite Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe's decision to stop collecting the carbon tax on natural gas or home heating, questions were raised about whether other provinces would follow suit. CTV News reached out across the country and here's what we found out.
Montreal actress calls Weinstein ruling 'discouraging' but not surprising
A Montreal actress, who has previously detailed incidents she had with disgraced Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein, says a New York Court of Appeals decision overturning his 2020 rape conviction is 'discouraging' but not surprising.
Caleb Williams, Jayden Daniels and Drake Maye make it four NFL drafts with quarterbacks going 1-3
Caleb Williams is heading to the Windy City, aiming to become the franchise quarterback Chicago has sought for decades.