Antigonish Co.’s two local governments are looking at consolidating into a single municipality.
Both the Municipality of the County of Antigonish and the Town of Antigonish held council meetings Monday.
Councillors for each voted to investigate what it would take to consolidate into one regional municipality, and if there was interest from the community to do so.
Laurie Boucher, Mayor of the Town of Antigonish, said the two governments have a strong relationship already.
“Over the past few years, the Town and County have strengthened that relationship, working together even more closely than before,” she said. “We’re exploring this now as two strong municipalities, not when one of us is in crisis.”
Owen McCarron, Warden of the Municipality of the County of Antigonish, said they already share multiple partnerships.
McCarron said that includes with StFX University, St. Martha’s Regional Hospital Foundation, Antigonish Community Transit, Antigonish Affordable Housing, Keppoch Mountain, and the People’s Place Library.
“Antigonish Town and County have a proven track record of success when it comes to working together,” he said. “We see consolidating as one opportunity to have a greater community impact to better serve the people that live and work in our communities.”
The first step is an exploration phase which includes assessing if residents, businesses, and communities would be better served by amalgamation.
