News Release

FREDERICTON (GNB) – The provincial government will introduce amendments to legislation on Tuesday that would allow Edmundston to annex a property and establish new territorial limits for the city.

The property, which is owned by the provincial government, is part of the Cité des Jeunes A.-M.-Sormany school. The school was built partly within the boundaries of the Madawaska Maliseet First Nation, with a long-term lease in place for the land use. Following a land exchange with the First Nation, the property was transferred to the government in 2011. These amendments to the Edmundston Act, 1998 will allow for the property to be incorporated within city limits.

“With this move, Edmundston will now benefit from an increased tax base of over $15 million, equating to about $259,000 in additional revenue annually from the province from an increase to the grant in lieu of taxes payable to the city,” said Economic Development Minister Francine Landry. “We are pleased to have worked closely with the city to agree upon and determine this adjusted territorial boundary.”

Landry spoke on behalf of Environment and Local Government Minister Serge Rousselle.

The amendments will also help ensure that the city receives fair treatment for services already being provided, such as fire protection and policing.

“We are pleased to receive the help of the provincial government in this matter and to see this file being finalized through this legislative amendment,” said Edmundston Mayor Cyrille Simard. “This new annual revenue will do a lot of good for the city and it will be put to good use.”

If passed by the legislative assembly, the amendment would take effect on Jan. 1, 2019.