January 30, 1997
(Municipal and Provincial Affairs)

Task Force on Regionalization

Municipal and Provincial Affairs Minister Art Reid today announced the names of a three-member task force that will conduct public consultations on regionalization. The minister also announced the locations and dates for the sessions.

The task force comprises Dr. Peter Boswell of St. John's, a Professor of Political Science at Memorial University; Mr. Sam Synard of Marystown, President of the Newfoundland and Labrador Federation of Municipalities; and Mrs. Freida Faour of Corner Brook, a person who, for many years, has been active in the cultural and community affairs of that city. David Brake of Gander serves as coordinator of the task force.

The task force will gauge public response to municipal restructuring proposals outlined in an earlier released discussion paper entitled: "Reforming Municipal Government in Newfoundland and Labrador: The Time for Regionalization".

The task force, which is independent of government and which established its own terms of reference, will consult municipal representatives and the general public. It will raise specific options of regional councils and regional service authorities. As well, it will consult on general issues of regional cooperation and regional municipal boundaries, regional municipal finance and the provision of services to currently unincorporated areas.

"If the report of the task force indicates that a particular area is interested in the establishment of a regional council, I will appoint a commissioner to conduct an individual feasibility study as required under the Municipalities Act," said Mr. Reid. "While regionalization will not be forced upon reluctant communities, it will go forward if the majority of communities in an area identified for regionalization request it."

The minister said the intent and purpose is not to replace existing municipal councils or in any way to reduce or diminish their existing powers and autonomy.

Regional councils will not have any authority to levy taxes in existing municipalities, however, they will have the same level of authority in the unincorporated areas as existing councils have in their own municipalities.

"Our goal is to create strong, local government that meets the needs of today's taxpayers in terms of structure, financial stability and the ability to plan and deliver services in the most effective and efficient manner possible," said Mr. Reid.

Regional councils, if established, will be comprised of incorporated municipalities, local service districts and unincorporated areas. Municipalities would appoint representatives and elections would be held to choose representatives from the local service districts and the unincorporated areas.

"Regionalization will not create additional bureaucracies," said Mr. Reid. "In simple terms, it is communities coming together to cooperate in areas of mutual benefit on a regional basis."

The consultation document has been forwarded to all municipalities in the province and copies can be obtained by contacting the Department of Municipal and Provincial Affairs. The document will also be available on the Internet through the provincial government's home page (/). People can participate in the public consultations either by appearing before the task force or by making written submissions.

Mr. Reid said: "There is a lot of interest in the issue of regionalization and I am expecting a large turnout at the public meetings."

A list of locations and dates follows.

Contact: Gary Callahan, (709) 729-3142.

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                    CONSULTATIONS ON REGIONALIZATION


DATE                          COMMUNITY 

February 11                   Fogo Island
February 12                   Twillingate    
February 13                   Lewisporte     
February 18                   Newtown-Wesleyville-Valleyfield
February 19                   Gander    
February 20                   Glovertown     
February 25                   Corner Brook   
February 26                   Stephenville   
February 27                   Port aux Basques    
March 3                       St. John's     
March 4                       Colinet   
March 5                       Avondale  
March 11                      Bay de Verde   
March 12                      Carbonear 
March 13                      Ferryland 
March 18                      Baie Verte     
March 19                      Springdale     
March 20                      Grand Falls-Windsor
March 25                      St. Alban's    
March 26                      Harbour Breton 
March 27                      St. Jacques    
April 1                       Bonavista 
April 2                       Clarenville    
April 3                       Marystown 
April 8                       Flower's Cove  
April 9                       St. Anthony    
April 10                      L'anse au Loup
April 15                      Rocky Harbour 
April 16                      Hawkes Bay     
April 17                      Roddickton     
April 21                      Trepassey 
April 22                      Labrador City  
April 23                      Happy Valley-Goose Bay