“It’s a complete waste of taxpayer resources,” said Northumberland-Peterborough South MPP David Piccini.
This comes after the news earlier this week that Northumberland County has started court proceedings against the Town of Cobourg in what is called a judicial review.
Municipal Law Enforcement Department and Cobourg Fire Department have been working with the operators at 310 Division Street on multiple occasions through regular communications and inspections regarding compliance with the Emergency Care Establishment by-law and fire safety plan.
After several warnings to Northumberland County and Transition House, the Town of Cobourg placed an order and issued a penalty notice due to continued non-compliance.
Court documents state the County claims they were in compliance at all times with the Fire Safety Plan and that the penalty and orders given were “unreasonable,” stating it was a “denial of natural justice and procedural fairness” and wants a “prohibition barring the Town of Cobourg from issuing similar and further Orders related Penalty notices related to the ECE By-Law in respect to 310 Division Street in Cobourg.”
Piccini told Today’s Northumberland on Friday (May 30, 2025) evening that citizens “deserve better.”
“We’re in a community of a limited tax base of residential taxpayers – we’ve got to increase our economic and commercial tax base in our community and we’re taking squabbling.”
“People elect us to sit down and figure things out.”
“Cobourg is responding to concerns from residents and rather than understand the concerns, the County pursues litigious avenue that costs immense dollars to the tax base and it’s absolutely a waste of money.”
“What a shame. It’s irresponsible.”
With Cobourg residents paying for a portion lawyers on both sides, Piccini added, “Cobourg residents have every right to be upset.”
“We’re dealing with challenges in our community. The Province has provided significant resources for the County to address this issue.”
“Rather than take accountability, rather than roll up our sleeves and look how we can help vulnerable people, protect shoppers in the downtown core, protect residents that have voiced concerns,” Piccini paused and added, “something has seriously failed.”
The Emergency Care Establishment By-Law, “is a reasonable by-law that tries to protect vulnerable residents and make sure they are meeting a standard of care which includes the Office of the Fire Marshal, provincially legislated things – rather than try and care for those vulnerable residents, also care for community shopkeepers, keep an orderly downtown we’re wasting money on a frivolous case.”
“Taxpayers of this community deserve better and I completely support folks in Cobourg who are upset about this.”
Author: Pete Fisher
Has been a photojournalist for over 30-years and have been honoured to win numerous awards for photography and writing over the years. Best selling author for the book Highway of Heroes - True Patriot Love
