Municipalities of all sizes in Atlantic Canada are starting to feel the squeeze of the economic shut down to battle COVID-19, and are looking for financial help in order to maintain basic essential services.
Mike Savage, mayor of the Halifax Regional Municipality (HRM), has even taken a voluntary 20 per cent cut in his net pay until at least July, in what he calls a “small gesture” to do his part.
Savage says cities such as his are feeling the pinch across the country, and are facing shortfalls in cash for services such as police, fire and transit. [ Sign up for our Health IQ newsletter for the latest coronavirus updates ] He says two measures that would provide significant help include a large increase to the so-called gas tax, a federal