4 mayors blast Alward over municipal reform

FourSaint John areamayors are criticizing Progressive Conservative Leader David Alward's comments that he's willing to revisit a contentious report on local governance reform.

Rothesay Mayor William Bishop, Quispamsis Mayor Murray Driscoll, Grand Bay-Westfield Mayor Grace Losier and Hampton Mayor Ken Chorleyreleased a statement on Monday blasting the Tory leader.

"While we as suburban mayors certainly support our city, we were disappointed to hear Mr. Alward indicate his support for the [Jean-Guy] Finn report, following consultation with the Cities Association and no consultation with us," the mayors said in a statement.

"How can there be informed and balanced decision making if you have not spoken to the towns and villages to consider their views as well."

Alward met with six of the eight city mayors last week in Fredericton where he raised the possibility of overhauling municipal reform. The PC leader said, however, any changes to municipal boundaries would require voter approval.

The Tory leader said after his meeting with the mayors that the province "can't afford to allow the Finn report to sit on the shelf somewhere."

Finn, the former commissioner of local governance, wrote in a CBC News analysis last week that the next New Brunswick government must address local governance.

Finn argued that significant local governance reform is needed and small adjustments, such as taxation, are not enough. Finn argued for slashing the number of municipalities to between 50 and 55 from 421.

Finn's 2008 report made similar recommendations. Premier Shawn Graham shelved the report immediately saying the $88 million pricetag was too costly during a recession.

Graham is refusing to budge from that stance when asked last week whether he'd revisit municipal governance reform in a second mandate.

The New Brunswick election will be held on Sept. 27.