Dear Editor,
As the Pro-Mayor of Alleyn and Cawood, I have spent countless hours fighting for fairness and transparency on behalf of our small, rural municipality in our fight against the 370 per cent property evaluation hike that has unfortunately boosted the shares due to the MRC Pontiac, also by 370 per cent. For months, I have addressed one-on-one concerns from ratepayers, I pushed our concerns to media, I have travelled and lobbied the Minister of Municipal Affairs and FQM for change, and I attend every single monthly MRC meeting, spending an additional three plus hours away from my children, only to be met with dismissive answers, inaction, and a lack of accountability from the warden and the Council of Mayors.
At the most recent MRC meeting on Nov. 27, I once again questioned why the MRC is using the inflated figure of 370 per cent to calculate our municipal shares when the new triennial roll reveals an actual increase of 85 per cent.
Warden Jane Toller had previously confirmed at the June council meeting of the Municipality of Alleyn and Cawood — attended by approximately 80 residents — that the 370 per cent figure would not be applied to every property. This statement has proven accurate, as the new triennial roll reflects an overall increase of 85 per cent. I asked Warden Toller this month if the shares would be recalculated based on the real number and if she had anything to say about this. She responded, “Not tonight.”
Not tonight? How long must Alleyn-and-Cawood — the smallest and one of the poorest municipalities in the MRC — wait to see our municipal shares recalculated using accurate data? This ongoing failure to address the issue is not only frustrating but also unacceptable.
The warden also inquired during the meeting whether we had paid our municipal shares. While this discussion took place publicly, I will simply state that our municipality cannot be expected to pay amounts based on a figure that has since been proven incorrect.
This situation undermines trust in the governance of the MRC Pontiac. If the MRC is concerned about their finances, they could consider drawing from their $1.3 million surplus instead of forcing Alleyn and Cawood to pay on an inflated amount.
What are we even paying for? I can guarantee that Alleyn and Cawood does not receive $289,000 worth of services. We certainly aren’t paying for fire services – we have an intermunicipal contract with the Municipality of Kazabazua adding additional costs to the municipality. Animal control? How much is that worth in a village of 200 people? Development? The only visible projects I see are renovations to the MRC headquarters that can’t even accommodate a large contingent of citizens who want to attend meetings. Waste management? Once again, the municipality covers its own costs for recycling and garbage disposal. Moreover, despite repeated requests for the MRC to take the lead on the composting initiative, it failed to do so. As a result, the municipality had to develop its own composting program and work out the logistics for collection independently. We have also requested other service like a municipal court, engineering services and by-law officers.
These so-called “services” are either nonexistent, irrelevant, or already covered elsewhere, yet we’re expected to pay inflated shares based on a fake number? This has disrupted our budget planning, forcing us to consider cuts to vital services for our residents while paying into a system that offers little in return. The worse part is, I have no credible argument for residents because I get no answers from the MRC Pontiac.
To my fellow mayors: your role is to represent your municipalities and fight for fairness for your constituents—not to sit quietly while the warden leads you without question. Being uninformed and complacent is unbecoming of elected officials. You should be standing with me at the back of the room demanding answers or sitting in those chairs advocating for the people you serve and your neighbouring communities.
Perhaps Warden Toller would like to switch jobs with me for a day and face the constituents of Alleyn and Cawood. She can explain to our residents why we must cut municipal services to pay shares calculated on a number that she herself has repeatedly admitted is not real. Your job, Ms. Toller, is not just showing up for ribbon cutting ceremonies and photo ops.
This is not just an Alleyn and Cawood issue—it’s a governance issue that affects the entire MRC Pontiac. The silence and inaction from those in power are deafening.
It’s time for transparency, fairness, and accountability. Our residents deserve better. Jane Toller recently penned a letter to the editor telling people they should treat people the way they want to be treated. Well, I deserve respect, and our residents deserve answers. I will continue to demand both—no matter how many times I am met with “not tonight.”
Sidney Squitti, Pro-Mayor and advocate for Alleyn and Cawood
