Northumberland Warden and Trent Hills Mayor Bob Crate says he is pleased with the province’s handling of workforce development.
This was just one of his takeaways after the release of Ontario’s 2026 budget.
Crate is also looking at the details of the doubling of the fire protection grant and says he has to talk to fire department leaders about what it means for a force that is driven largely by volunteers.
At the county level, Crate is circling back to the benefits of new housing incentives, especially with the ramping up nuclear energy efforts in Wesleyville.
Crate is also waiting to hear from municipal planners and their read on this week’s announcement of a federal- provincial housing push initiative, which includes a deal to reduce development charges on new homes by as much as half.
Crate says it’s unclear how that currently sits locally.
Prime Minister Carney said federal funding to reduce the charges will come through the Build Communities Strong Fund.
Premier Doug Ford said funding from Ontario will be prioritized for municipalities that agree to cut their development charges by up to 50 per cent and municipalities that have already lowered those charges.
