NDP will fund essential services for the people of Cape Breton

CAPE BRETON — On Friday, NDP Leader Claudia Chender was in Cape Breton announcing her party’s commitment to restore equalization payments from the province to the municipality, supporting fair funding and economic growth for the region.

Chender’s New Democrats will double the municipal finance grant from $15 million to $30 million in their first year of government. 

“Cape Bretoners are struggling with a strained health care system, roads that are falling apart, and social services that don’t provide the support people deserve,” said Chender. “The Cape Breton Regional Municipality, and the people it serves, aren’t getting their fair share of funding from Tim Houston’s government."

In April 2023, CBRM was facing a multimillion-dollar budget shortfall and asked the province to increase its operating grant, but Tim Houston’s Conservative government refused.

In October 2023, CBRM councillors refused to sign onto a new provincial funding agreement with the Houston government. The deal would have seen the Cape Breton Regional Municipality’s current $15 million grant remain in place for five years before dropping to $13.6 million. 

“New Democrats believe that the people of Cape Breton deserve better than the dismissive treatment they have received from the Houston government,” said Chender. “Your hard-earned public dollars should be spent here improving the communities you love so that all Cape Bretoners can thrive. As the municipality continues to grow, New Democrats will make sure Cape Bretoners aren’t left behind by doubling the municipal finance grant.”

-30-

For more information contact media@nsndp.ca.