Greater Sudbury city council meets at 4 p.m. rather than the usual 6 p.m. meeting.
Among the items on the agenda for discussion today is an update on the city’s COVID-19 response. As well, a member’s motion from Ward 4 Coun. Geoff McCausland is also up for discussion.
McCausland wants the city to review the business licensing bylaw governing payday lenders in the city. He argues the high-interest loans offered by these businesses are predatory and take advantage of mostly low-income individuals.
McCausland also says the businesses situate themselves in parts of the city frequented by those people most vulnerable to their tactics.
The councillor wants a staff report conducted to consider restricting payday lenders.
You can watch the meeting below.
After the city council meeting, the city’s Finance and Administration Committee will also meet to get a budget update from staff. On the agenda is a staff report based on discussion at the Oct. 13 council meeting regarding the direction of the city budget.
Staff reviewed five “themes” that came out of the meeting and provided additional information for councillors. The themes are facilities rationalization, not competing with the private sector by getting the city out of operating trailer parks, fitness centres and ski hills, for example, revisiting support for the Junction West project, enhancing active transportation options and reviewing the Community Energy and Emissions Plan.
You can watch the meeting below. It is scheduled to begin at 6 p.m.
