On March 22, despite the efforts by six councillors to amend the budget, city council voted 10-6 in favour of adopting the 2016 operating and capital budget. The six councillors — Matt Allard, Shawn Dobson, Ross Eadie, Cindy Gilroy, Jason Schreyer and Russ Wyatt, proposed a number of amendments to the budget, calling for more money for road repairs and for maintaining frontline services.
The Local also appeared at the special meeting of city council and made presentations at various standing committees throughout the budget process.
In his presentation, Local 500 president Gord Delbridge urged city council to reject the budget and called for a budget that would maintain important front-line services and programs.
“We simply cannot support a budget that does not adequately fund basic services and reduces staffing levels,” said Gord Delbridge, CUPE Local 500 president. “We strongly recommend that council reject it and send it back to city officials to develop a budget that meets the citizen’s needs now and into the future.”
Voting in favour of the budget: Mayor Bowman, Councillors Jenny Gerbasi, John Orlikow, Scott Gillingham, Mike Pagtakhan, Marty Morantz, Jeff Browaty, Janice Lukes, Brian Mayes, and Devi Sharma.
Voting Against the budget: Matt Allard, Shawn Dobson, Ross Eadie, Cindy Gilroy, Jason Schreyer and Russ Wyatt,
