Sudbury council 'slush funds' up for public review

Sudbury city council voted Tuesday night to hold a public review of the controversial Healthy Community Initiative Funds — the $50,000 each councillor gets to spend in their ward every year.

Critics slam them as "slush funds," while supporters say they do a lot of good.

Coun. Joscelyne Landry-Altmann pushed for the review, saying a clear and honest discussion about the funds is needed.

"The problem that has occurred time and time again is that this policy has been interpreted, selectively interpreted and edited, to meet agendas."

But not everyone agreed with her.

Mayor Brian Bigger was one of those who voted against a review, saying he'd rather see the ward funds taken away from councillors and put under the control of city staff.

But Landry-Altmann convinced the majority of her colleagues last night to hold a public review of the funds.

However,  the new councillor for Ward 9, Deb McIntosh, said she believes Sudburians already had a chance to debate these funds during the election campaign.

"I don't think we need to go and talk to the public further about this. I do know that it's fairly clear that they do not want councillors making decisions about that money."

The review will see a public consultation session on the so-called "slush funds" early in the new year, with a council decision expected by the end of May.