The Federation of Prince Edward Island Municipalities (FPEIM) welcomes today’s provincial budget announcements to increase funding for municipalities, invest more in public safety, and support community infrastructure.
“Investing in PEI municipalities means supporting local services for Islanders,” said FPEIM President Bruce MacDougall. “The costs of municipal services have increased and so has demand. This new funding is essential to help municipalities respond.”
The budget announcements include two years of bridge funding for municipalities while the Municipal Government Act is reviewed. Over the two years, municipalities will receive an additional $5.5 million in funding — which translates into an estimated $9.5 million in additional funding when assessment growth is included.
FPEIM was also pleased to see the following:
- $810,000 to launch a Joint Enforcement Team of municipal and RCMP officers to combat drug trafficking and organized crime
- plans to create a Municipal Infrastructure Bank to provide low-interest loans to build or refurbish community infrastructure
- a $450,000 increase to support firefighters needing benefits from the Workers Compensation Board
- investments to support local businesses, the economy, and Islanders
While welcoming these commitments, FPEIM recognizes that more funding is needed to strengthen municipal services, keep pace with the costs of policing, and support volunteer firefighters who provide emergency first response in communities across PEI.
“We look forward to continue negotiating a long-term municipal financial framework and finding additional ways to support safe and healthy communities,” MacDougall said.