Richmond Municipal Council has agreed to provide $5,000 to an upcoming conference.
On Nov. 13-15, the Muiwatmnej Etuaptmumk Conference 2023: Honouring Two-Eyed Seeing, hosted by the Collaborative Environmental Planning Initiative will take place in Membertou.
Although CEPI originally requested $10,000 from Type 4 Regional/Health/General Grant Fund, council was informed during last night’s regular monthly meeting in Arichat that there is $11,195 remaining in the fund.
Warden Amanda Mombourquette said the response to the conference “has far exceeded the expectations of the planning committee,” not just in the numbers of people planning to attend but those wanting to make presentations. She estimated registration fees will generate far more than $85,000 in revenue.
The warden said it is unlikely federal funds will be received before the conference, but there has been a “tremendous response” from the community and from businesses. She said conference organizers are also trimming expenses to make up that shortfall.
Mombourquette said other municipalities are contributing from $2,500 to $5,000 for the conference.
Richmond Municipal Building in Arichat
Because they are more than halfway through the fiscal year, District 5 Councillor Brent Sampson said the Type 4 grant fund is running low, and he supports a $5,000 contribution.
Deputy Warden Shawn Samson supports providing $5,000 and pledged to make a $500 contribution from his district fund.
Noting she cannot support a $10,000 contribution, District 3 Councillor Melanie Sampson also supported giving $500 from her district fund as well.
The warden and District 2 Councillor also voted to give $500 from their district funds, which would bring the amount to $3,000 from the Type 4 grant fund, with the remainder coming from the districts 1, 2, 3, and 4 funds.