Over $600,000 in city tax money to help Thunder Bay residents, businesses and organizations during COVID-19 will be examined at tonight’s city council meeting.
Councillor Aldo Ruberto tells us the main concerns from home owners are water and taxes, while a hot button issue for businesses is rent.
“The other thing that’s important to note, is that there’s $235,000 for community youth and cultural funding to help organizations that are out there and possibly not surviving. We have to make sure they are taken care of,” says the At-large councillor.
He added he’s been told delaying payment of rent and other expenses to the city from 30 to 90 days is not enough.
“The federal government is trying to address it, the provincial government is trying to address it, and the city is looking at it. I think this is a start, if things get worse, if we hear from the public that we need more action, obviously we’ll look at more measures,” says Ruberto.
As for residential rent, he points out that money goes to the Social Services Board, and not the city.
“On the other side of the coin, we know that the city has to operate, has to collect a certain amount of money,” noted the councillor.
Ruberto also wanted to point out there are great things happening in Thunder Bay with so many people helping people, while on the other hand many are still ignoring the safety precautions.
