North Bay’s mayor is welcoming nearly $4.2 million in provincial COVID-19 relief funding, including $1.2 million for transit.
Mayor Al McDonald tells BayToday the funding will help with their projected deficit this year.
“For this year, the $1.7 million, it means we will not have to pull it out of reserves, so it really makes us whole,” he says.
McDonald also says they expect COVID to impact the budget next year.
“We’re still thinking transit is going to take a bit of a hit, some of our arena revenue, sports fields and parking, so we should be able to use some of that money next year to compensate for the loss of revenues,” he tells BayToday. “That will be good for taxpayers.”
As for the city supporting operations at the airport, McDonald says they haven’t had to yet.
He says that may change later in the year or next year, but they’re in discussions with federal officials for support on that front.

(photo by station staff)

Filed under: al-mcdonald-north-bay, covid-19