New Brunswick municipalities are expressing concern about recent comments made by the premier.
Blaine Higgs told the Telegraph-Journal that his government is considering blocking Ottawa from sending money directly to communities.
Instead, he wants to see money funnelled through the province, which would then give it to municipalities.
Municipal leaders say communities cannot be handcuffed from accessing funds that will help them grow.
Adam Lordon, president of the Cities of New Brunswick Association, said it is against the province’s own best interest to do so.
“It’s unfathomable that the premier of this province, or any province, would want to block the flow of millions of federal dollars to our cities to address the ongoing housing crisis and help us fuel the rapid housing development our communities and province desperately need,” Lordon said in a news release.
The association said in times when the need for housing and infrastructure has reached a level of urgency, any opportunity to streamline funding should be applauded.
It added that direct access has been advocated for at the federal level by municipalities across the country for years.
“The province is a necessary partner in the development of housing solutions, but it should focus on working collaboratively with municipal and federal governments, not obstructing the flow of urgently needed federal dollars that can have an impact on getting units built on the ground as soon as possible,” said the release.
Lordon and the association are calling on the premier to consult with municipalities before making any changes.
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