Six eastern Ontario communities are facing economic hardship

LANARK — Six eastern Ontario communities have declared themselves economic disasters or are under severe hardship because of the impact of one case of mad cow disease, says the Federation of Canadian Municipalities.

These communities will have to reduce services and possibly some essential services if the U.S. border doesn’t open a little wider for Canadian cattle before the end of this winter, says Larry McDermott, the federation’s rural forum chairman.

In total, the federation has identified 26 communities in Ontario and 92 communities in Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba that declared themselves either economic disasters or under severe hardship.

Services that could be interrupted, because property taxes aren’t paid, would include all new construction, road, sewer and water repairs. Seasonal workers could be laid off, he said, adding that the situation here is not as severe as in hard-hit Manitoba.

"All hell would break loose if you didn’t plow the roads but in Manitoba they’re even worried about that," he said. "There are veterinary clinics going out of business. People are not spending a cent they don’t have to. In eastern Ontario we’re more diversified so we are not as vulnerable."

McDermott, who is also mayor of Lanark Highlands Township, said that beef farmers in Lanark County can survive in the short-term but "if this situation is prolonged they will really feel it."

The six eastern Ontario communities are:

1. Municipality of Hastings Highland

2. Loyalist Township

3. North Grenville
Township

4. Perth South Township

5.City of Quinte West

6. Lanark County