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March 30, 1998
(Municipal and Provincial Affairs)

The following statement was issued today by Arthur D.Reid, Minister of Municipal and Provincial Affairs. It was also read in the House of Assembly:

Government assistance for municipalities to purchase computer technology equipment

I am pleased to inform the House of Assembly that financial assistance is now being made available to municipalities to enable them to purchase and install modern information technology systems.

This is a cost-shared initiative - 60 per cent provincial, 40 per cent municipal - to a maximum contribution by the Department of Municipal and Provincial Affairs up to $10,000.

I am pleased to say that the department is providing $500,000 in financial assistance to 88 municipalities under this Computer Technology Acquisition Program. The grants range from $1,184 to a maximum of $10,000 and the average grant to municipalities is $5,656.

The aim of this program is to facilitate more efficient and effective local governments through the application of modern technology.

Many of our municipalities today are using antiquated systems to keep track of their financial records and their administrative affairs. While this is attributable primarily to a lack of resources on their part, it is nevertheless unacceptable in this modern age. The department has therefore decided to assist those municipalities which, on their own, cannot afford to purchase and install the type of technology that will be required for the 21st century.

This program, when fully implemented, will result in the establishment of electronic communications links between our municipalities and the department. The department also introduced a new municipal budgeting format last year. Together, these initiatives will serve to enhance both the monitoring and reporting of municipal finances.

These initiatives are in keeping with the new direction that is being established for Municipal and Provincial Affairs - one that will see the department assume a more pronounced role in the professional development of municipalities. We are confident that these initiatives will have the positive effect of improving the efficiency and the effectiveness of local governments throughout the province.

It is anticipated that the program will be fully implemented this year.