FREDERICTON, N.B. – New Brunswick’s three largest cities will see cuts in the amount of money they get from the province under a new municipal funding model.  

The biggest loser is Fredericton, which will get $1.3-million less in 2013 from what it got this year under the old program.

Saint John stands to lose $338,000. Elsewhere locally Quispamsis will receive about $241,000 less under the new formula, with Rothesay receiving $99,000 less than last year and Grand Bay-Westfield coming in with $20,000 less.

However, the provincial government says the cities can absorb the change because of increases in their tax base.
   
Of the 105 municipalities in New Brunswick, 59 will get more funding from the province while 46 will get less.

Fitch says the new formula provides for a fairer distribution of funding.

The full impact of the changes will be phased in over three years.