Cardy says the provincial Department of Economic Development should be scrapped and that money, amounting to hundreds of millions of dollars, should be divided up among the various municipalities.
Cardy says the current system with the provincial government giving out unconditional grants, which can change drastically from year to year, prevents long term planning from taking place on the municipal level.
If the municipal politicians don't spend the money wisely, Cardy says voters can then give them the heave ho.
Saint John is getting more money from the province next year but, despite that, the city's tax base is declining.
