September 10, 1996
(Municipal and Provincial Affairs)
The following statement was issued today by Honourable Arthur D. Reid, Minister of Municipal and Provincial Affairs:
Following meetings today with officials of my department and the Department of Justice, and after much deliberation on my part, including reviewing the Auditor General's Report, the Comptroller's Report, the investigative reports of my officials and the written response from the council, I have decided to remove the entire Conception Bay South Council from office, effective immediately, and to cause a new municipal election to be held in that municipality.
The election will be held at the earliest possible time.
As it is widely known, the Auditor General identified serious problems respecting the operations of the town and concluded that "Council has not discharged its responsibilities in the management of the town," and I fully concur with her findings.
I personally met with the council on August 21, as well as on numerous other occasions in the past. I do not have the confidence in this council to perform its duties pursuant to their responsibilities under the Municipalities Act. I have therefore concluded that the best course of action is to dismiss the council and cause a new election to be held.
I have also decided that an administrator will be appointed to administer the affairs of the town until such time as the election is held and the new council assumes office. In the meantime, officials of the Department of Municipal and Provincial Affairs will work with the current town management in an attempt to ensure that the affairs of the town are carried out in a proper manner.
The new council will remain in office until the general election in the fall of 1997, when municipal elections for all cities, towns and communities will be held throughout the entire province.
Government is very cognizant and appreciative of the significant contribution that men and women - volunteers for the most part - make to local government. Government, however, has a responsibility to protect the interests of citizens in all communities and must take whatever action is necessary to meet that responsibilty. Residents of Conception Bay South deserve to have their town operated efficiently and effectively and in accordance with the laws of the province.
It should be noted that, under Section 513 of the Municipalities Act, a mayor and/or councillor who is dismissed from office is not eligible to run in a municipal election for a period of two years.
Contact: Gary P. Callahan, Director of Communications, Phone: 729-3142.
| 1996 09 10 | 4:00 p.m. |
