It is going to be more than simply a convention when local politicians head to Ottawa for the Association of Municipalities annual meeting this week.
Minto councillors secured a meeting with an assistant, Lawrence Cannon, from the federal Ministeyof Transport, Infrastructure and Communities, and are hoping to secure federal funds to help the local community.
Mayor David Anderson said that Treasurer Gord Duff put together a three page brief outlining the current financial conditions in the town and the costs it is incurring to upgrade its infrastructure.
Duff noted the federal ministry staff wanted the information to determine how it would tie into federal priorities.
He noted recent agreements to work with the provinces on the Build Canada fund for waste and wastewater projects.
This is exactly the type of project for which Minto is seeking assistance, Duff said.
Local rejects include upgrades to the sewage treatment plants in Harriston and Palmerston, replacement of cast iron pipes in Clifford, and the work required on the former CN Rail property in Palmerston.
Because the ministry covers transportation, infrastructure and communities, Duff believes the projects would be a good fit.
Anderson noted that the municipality had been in contact for quite a while with its federal MP about arranging the meeting, but the confirmation only happened in the previous week.
He said the information package shows that even if Minto did not get Canada Ontario Municipal Rural Infrastructure Fund cash, he said the town moved forward on the projects in due diligence.
“We have nothing to lose, so why not give it a try,” he said.
We’ll give it a shot and see what happens … and keep our fingers crossed.”
