Saint John Mayor Don Darling. (Image: Brad Perry)
Mayor Don Darling has invited the five party leaders vying for the New Brunswick legislature to present their election platform at an upcoming city council meeting.
Darling sent a letter to Blaine Higgs of the Progressive Conservatives, Kevin Vickers with the Liberals, Green leader David Coon, Kris Austin of the People’s Alliance, and interim NDP leader Mackenzie Thomason.
In addition to inviting the party leaders to council, Darling took the opportunity to forewarn them the issues Saint John council will push the new government to prioritize.
The mayor has long advocated for municipal reforms, and outlined a number of council’s priorities for a new government to focus on in the letter. He specifically mentions property tax reform, changes to binding arbitration for first responders, changes to the Local Government Act, and regional cost-sharing as issues he wants the next government to focus on.
Council is currently considering a balanced budget that doesn’t include provincial assistance for the first time.
No word yet whether any of the leaders will take the mayor up on his offer.
