Dryden Council is asking for short term relief on debt repayment over the next five years in order to carry out critical infrastructure upgrades.
Council stresses they can’t afford the municipal share for road, water and sewer upgrades under the current formula.
Those concerns were relayed by Mayor and Council during a 1.5-hour meeting Monday with Kenora MP Bob Nault.
Nault called the meeting productive and positive and he understands their concerns.
Nault says he’s willing to work with the community, noting the next step is discussing options with both levels of senior government.
He stresses the worst thing that can happen is having Dryden fall deeper in the hole and sitting on the sideline when the Liberals come out with infrastructure funding.
Nault notes he won’t let that happen.
He admits Dryden has some challenges, however, he stresses they can overcome those roadblocks.
Nault is touring the area gathering a list of priority projects and he will include them in potential funding under the $10-billion national infrastructure plan.
He expects the Federal budget to come down in late February or early March.
Nault says municipalities should be picking the priority projects and notes the government is looking for “shovel ready” projects.
