Health Authority must pay taxes owed to Cape Breton

Municipality owed money for sewer and fire protection services

SYDNEY –NDP Health and Wellness spokesperson Tammy Martin says the Nova Scotia Health Authority must pay the taxes it owes to the Cape Breton Regional Municipality for sewer and fire protection services.

Yesterday at the CBRM Council meeting, the municipal auditors pointed out that the Health Authority owes CBRM just over $2 million. The auditors stated that this outstanding debt will soon need to be declared a bad debt and written off the books as the Health Authority refuses to pay. This debt accounts for 11 per cent of all outstanding taxes in the CBRM.

“It’s unacceptable for the Health Authority to refuse to pay its taxes, especially since it pays similar taxes in Halifax,” said Martin, MLA for Cape Breton Centre. “Why does the Liberal government think it is ok to treat Cape Breton unfairly?”

In Question Period today, Martin asked both Health Minister Randy Delorey and Municipal Affairs Minister Derek Momberquette why they are not requiring the Health Authority to pay the taxes it owes to CBRM. Neither Minister gave a clear answer.

“If Derek Momberquette can’t resolve this issue then what is the point of having cabinet ministers from Cape Breton?” said Martin. “My message to the Liberals is clear – fix this, and fix it quickly.”

CBRM Mayor Cecil Clarke has written to the Minister of Health outlining these concerns.

View letter.

• 30 -

For more information please contact Kyle Buott at (902) 266-2068.