The City of Bathurst, New Brunswick, will hold a public hearing on February 9, 2026, to discuss borrowing money for several major construction projects. The hearing is a required step under the Municipal Capital Borrowing Act for the city to seek authorization from the provincial Municipal Capital Borrowing Board to obtain long-term loans to pay for infrastructure. It gives residents an opportunity to comment on the city’s plans for managing its debt and street repairs for 2026.
The city intends to spend approximately $4.35 million on upgrades to local streets and utilities. Key projects include completing Ryan Avenue ($500,000), paving portions of Miramichi Avenue ($491,000) and work on Daniel Drive ($225,000), alongside other road and utility work tied to the capital program.
To pay for these projects, the city proposes borrowing amounts to be repaid over 10 to 20 years. The plan, described in the city’s 2026 budget reporting and local coverage, aims to balance infrastructure renewal with the municipality’s finances. While the core property tax rate will remain unchanged for residents in the former city limits (Ward 1), the budget includes a five-per-cent increase in water bills — bringing the annual bill for a typical home with two to four water connections to about $703.65.
Residents in neighbourhoods added to the city through governance reform will see modest property tax increases as rates are harmonized to match city service levels. These adjustments are part of the city’s roughly $54 million 2026 budget and the capital plan that includes the street and utility projects described above. The City of Bathurst previously reported a near-$1.5-million surplus for 2023 and a 14-per-cent reduction in net debt, which the municipality says helps make new investments possible.
The public hearing will be held in Council Chambers, City Hall, 150 St. George Street, during the regular council meeting (typically starting at 6:30 p.m.). Residents may attend in person or submit written comments to the city; written submissions are requested by Friday, Feb. 6, 2026, or may be delivered at the hearing. This is the final formal opportunity for public input before the city files its application for provincial authorization to borrow.
