Yorkton Councillor Randy Goulden has recently returned from a working visit to Jordan.
Goulden was in Jordan as part of a Federation of Canadian Municipalities effort to provide assistance to municipal governments to help deal with some of the common issues they face.
The visit included meeting with local municipal governments to help in terms of strategic planning and community engagement, said Goulden.
Goulden said one issue for municipalities in Jordan is dealing with an influx of refugees.
“There is pressure on municipalities from refugees arriving from Syria,” she said, adding the situation is made worse because there are already high levels of poverty and unemployment in the country.
The poverty situation is such that municipalities find it difficult to collect from residents in terms of property taxes or business fees, and that impacts their ability to invest in their communities, said Goulden.
The issues of poverty and the arrival of refugees also puts pressure on areas such as waste management, a major concern as improper waste disposal is recognized as a threat to ground water.
“Water is precious there,” said Goulden, adding most water comes from wells, which are a priority to protect.
Interestingly, in the mountain areas, Jordan does get snow, and its removal is an issue for some municipalities, said Goulden.
As part of the recent visit Goulden also took part in the official launch of the Jordan Municipal Support Project, including presenting at the event regarding FCM and its role in the municipal sector.
Canadian Ambassador of Canada to Jordan Peter MacDougall also presented at the launch Dec. 2.
Goulden’s time in Jordan was as a volunteer with her costs covered by FCM.
