March 26, 1996
(Municipal and Provincial Affairs)

The following statement was issued today by Arthur Reid, Local Government Awareness Week, April 22-28 Minister of Municipal and Provincial Affairs. It was also read in the House of Assembly:

I am pleased to announce today that a province-wide campaign is under way to heighten awareness, understanding and interest in local government.

The campaign is being organized by the Newfoundland and Labrador Federation of Municipalities, the Newfoundland and Labrador Association of Municipal Administrators and the Department of Municipal and Provincial Affairs.

A major focus will be a Local Government Awareness Week from April 22-28 in communities throughout the whole of the province.

It is hoped that the campaign will become an annual event focusing on one key theme each year. The theme selected for the 1996 campaign is Local Government - At Your Service.

April 22-28 is also Volunteer Week sponsored by the Volunteer Centre, Community Services Council and the two events are being combined this year. This year's theme for Volunteer Week is Volunteers - the Heart of the Community.

A proclamation will be issued by the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador to officially declare April 22-28 as Local Government Awareness Week in our province.

As well, communities are being encouraged to establish Municipal Merit Awards as a means of giving recognition to individuals who have made significant contributions to the growth, development and enhancement of their communities.

In addition to raising the level of awareness, understanding and interest in local government, the campaign being undertaken to acquaint the general public with the cost and value of services provided through their municipal councils.

One of the specific initiatives being planned during this Local Government Awareness Week - to ensure that the week has high impact throughout the province - is a Conference on Women in Local Governance and Economic Development. This event will be sponsored by the Federation of Municipalities and held in Gander during Local Government Awareness Week.

As well, the Association of Municipal Administrators of Newfoundland and Labrador will hold its annual convention in April of this year, also in Gander, and that event will serve as the kick off for Local Government Awareness Week.

The plan is to make Local Government Awareness Week an annual event. Municipal elections will be held in 1997 and next year's campaign will encourage people to get out and vote and also offer themselves for election to municipal office.

I call on all members of the House of Assembly to support our municipalities as they celebrate Local Government Awareness Week.