Canso Discussed at Meeting

The minister responsible for municipal relations and the mayor of Canso have agreed to some immediate steps to resolve the issue of Canso's future as an incorporated town.

Service Nova Scotia and Municipal Relations Minister Barry Barnet and Mayor Frank Fraser and MLA Ronnie Chisholm met today, Aug. 10, to discuss a plebiscite and the need for Canso residents to have as much information as possible.

"The minister, Mr. Chisholm and I agree that a plebiscite on the options available is the most democratic way to give town residents a voice in this discussion," Mr. Fraser said. "We have also agreed to provide residents with financial and other information to help ensure that when they vote, they are making an informed choice."

No date for a plebiscite has been set, but Canso residents will be asked to indicate whether they prefer remaining a town, with the additional costs to taxpayers this option would incur, or joining the Municipality of the County of Guysborough, an option that would reduce the property tax burden on Canso residents.

"I realize this is an emotional issue for many residents of Canso," Mr. Barnet said. "But they should know that remaining a town will undoubtedly mean more money out of their pockets; and joining Guysborough would most likely mean keeping more of their own money. In the end, the choice is theirs, but their choice should be an informed one."

Mr. Barnet said the province will send an information package to town residents that will detail the financial implications of remaining a town and the benefits of joining Guysborough. Provincial and town officials will discuss the date for a plebiscite over the coming weeks.

The minister and mayor also discussed the suggestion by some that a task force be appointed to review the broader economic and social issues in Canso, including town governance. They agreed that while there were no objections to a community based effort to explore economic alternatives, the issue of the town's finances is a separate and distinct issue. A task force as suggested would not likely bring any added value to the governance debate.

"The town's financial problems are well documented and the solutions are limited," Mr. Barnet said. "Let's get on with resolving this issue once and for all."