Feds offer funding – maybe
County expects to apply for new Campbellford bridge cash
On Tuesday Prime Minister Mark Carney offered a glimmer of hope for a new bridge in Campbellford.
Well, not directly and not by name, but he did.
Actually, he was in Brampton to announce the federal government’s new $51 billion Build Communities Strong Fund and its first project, a community centre.
As I’ve written, Northumberland County’s plan for a second bridge in Campbellford has basically been stalled for the past two years because the project has not succeeded in getting any funding from Queen’s Park or Ottawa and the $56 million price tag is too much to bear on its own.
So when I read about Carney’s announcement I decided to dig a bit deeper to see if Ottawa might pitch in.
The short answer is maybe.
The $51 billion is actually spread over 10 years and in three separate streams. “The community stream will provide $27.8 billion to support local infrastructure priorities across 19 project categories, including local roads, bridges, public transit, water systems, and community centres,” a news release says.
They had me at bridges.
“Canada’s new government is on a mission to build big things, including the local infrastructure that brings Canadians together,” Carney said, going on to list hospitals and bridges as prime examples.
The county is on it.
“We do anticipate pursuing investment for the bridge through the open application process for this fund,” Kate Campbell, Director of Communications for Northumberland told me.
Ottawa has announced the first 13 projects and several involve improvements to water and wastewater systems, so perhaps Trent Hills can also get in line for assistance to extend those lines to our new hospital location.
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Liberals seek healthcare advice
The Ontario Liberal party is rebuilding after eight years in the political wilderness. It is starting a leadership race that will end next November. Part of its recovery efforts is a series of meetings around the province including one in Campbellford on Sunday.
Three Liberal MPPs, including Lee Fairclough who is expected to contend for the leadership, will be at what the party is calling a Rural Healthcare Town Hall at the Campbellford Seniors Club at 2 p.m.
If you’d like to attend the Northumberland—Peterborough South Provincial Liberal Association asks that you register here, but I doubt they will turn anyone away.
The party says it wants to hear the concerns of local residents:
What challenges are local providers and community partners facing?
What solutions or best practices from other rural communities could work here?
Recent polls suggest that even though Ford currently has a majority and brags that he can do whatever he wants and our local MPP David Piccini is only 37 and seems settled in for a long run, public opinion is heading in the other direction.
“While the PCs remain in first place, their advantage has narrowed and the broader political environment appears more competitive than it did just a few weeks ago,” writes David Coletto, CEO of Abacus Data.
Coletto says Ford’s personal standing has declined in recent weeks.
“The PC lead over the Liberals now stands at eight points, down from 12 points in the previous wave and down from 21-points earlier this year,” he notes.
If the Liberals manage to pick a competitive candidate the next election could be much closer than Ford expects.
Another pollster, Kyla Ronellenfitsch writes “just 41% of Ontarians think things are on the ‘right track’ in the province, 10% fewer than those who think the country is on the right track (51%). There’s also a significant appetite for change -- 2 in 3 Ontarians agree ‘it’s time for a change in government in Ontario,’ including 37% who strongly agree.”
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Running the Ranney
Again this year, I will be running the Ranney Gorge Run to raise money for the Campbellford Memorial Hospital Foundation.
To be honest, several years ago I adopted a run/walk system that as I’ve aged has turned into a walk/run method focused on finishing, not being fast.
You can support me at this link, or support one of the many other runners and walkers. I know lots of people will be taking part. Last year, 470 people raised $24,000. The goal this year is $50,000.
Thanks to you, last year I gathered $651, a total I am hoping to top this year.
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You can read all Trent Hills News stories on my website here.