CRSC Board of Directors invites Ville de Belle-Baie to strengthen regional collaboration
Belle-Baie, January 16, 2025 - The Board of Directors of the Chaleur Regional Services Commission (Board) reiterates to Ville de Belle-Baie (Belle-Baie) the importance of harmonious collaboration between all municipalities in the region in order to meet common challenges and support a strong and inclusive regional vision.
In its latest press release on the issue of public transit in the Chaleur region, Belle-Baie mentions that it has "concerns about steps currently limited to exchanges between the CRSC and the City of Bathurst, under the pretext of a disagreement on the cost-sharing formula." Belle-Baie also recently gave notice by resolution that its mayor would no longer sit on the CRSC Board of Directors.
The Board wishes to point out that Belle-Baie has been involved at every stage of the public transit project. As a result, it has received all the necessary information on this file and has been invited on several occasions to take part in discussions which it has itself declined. The efforts made over the past three years to develop this project have always been transparent. During the 2025 budget process, the costs associated with the scenario that had been proposed by the stakeholders were also presented in accordance with the regulations established by the Local Governance Act, which gave Belle-Baie 45 days to formulate its observations or objections.
In this regard, a public information session was held on October 16, 2024 to give council members, municipal councillors and the general public the opportunity to ask questions or express concerns about the project. At this meeting, Belle-Baie made no comments that would have enabled the CRSC to make adjustments to the proposed service. It was not until the evening of the vote, on November 20, that Councillor Charles Doucet proposed on behalf of Belle-Baie that the "cost-sharing formula be modified to take into account only the population and tax base of the Beresford sector". This intervention aroused strong dissatisfaction among the members present, particularly those from the City of Bathurst, who would have been obliged to absorb at the last minute a greater proportion of the costs associated with the pilot project for the year 2025.
While disagreements may arise in any collaborative dynamic, the Board firmly believes that dialogue and active participation remain the best avenues for finding solutions that benefit all citizens of the Chaleur region
"The public transit project is a very important initiative for our communities. It is well supported by CRSC, the Municipality of Belledune, the City of Bathurst and the Chaleur Rural District. We firmly believe that the success of regional projects depends on open communication and sincere collaboration. Public transit is a promising initiative for our region, and we invite Belle-Baie to become actively involved in this and other regional issues," says Kim Chamberlain, Mayor of Bathurst and member of the Board.
The board recognizes the challenges Belle-Baie may face and stands ready to work with them to find solutions. As Paul Arseneault, Chairman of the CRSC put it: "Regional cooperation is essential to maximize the positive impact of our initiatives. It is only by working together that we can meet the challenges and ensure prosperous development for the Chaleur region."
Laura McNulty, vice-president of the CRSC, adds: "We encourage Belle-Baie to see the benefits of close collaboration within the CRSC. Our common efforts are aimed at improving the quality of life for all residents of the Chaleur region, and every community member has a role to play in this collective vision."
The CRSC therefore invites the Ville de Belle-Baie to continue the dialogue and work hand in hand with members around the table to strengthen regional solidarity.
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