August 3, 1999
(Municipal and Provincial Affairs)

Minister returns from conference

Lloyd Matthews, Minister of Municipal and Provincial Affairs, recently returned from the 1999 provincial and territorial conference of ministers responsible for local government and housing. The meetings were held in Whitehorse during the week of July 26 and were attended by ministers from all provinces and territories.

The ministers discussed many issues of importance to local governments in their respective provinces or territories. Financing of local governments, municipal infrastructure, creative governance structures and service delivery, municipal administration and changes to municipal structures were among the topics discussed.

New municipal legislation was an important topic as the ministers focussed on building strong, self-sufficient local governments. Minister Matthews said: "Other governments are in the process of reforming their municipal legislation and were interested in hearing about the new Municipalities Act introduced by our government earlier this summer. While every province and territory is unique, we must take advantage of the opportunities offered through these conferences to inform our colleagues of our activities as well as to learn from their experiences."

The ministers responsible for housing agreed to create a forum for provinces and territories to work together to build upon the initiatives underway in their jurisdictions. This new housing forum will provide an opportunity to discuss common priorities, share experiences, and coordinate approaches while recognizing regional differences among the provinces and territories.

Minister Matthews said: "As the minister responsible for the Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation, I look forward to the new initiatives that will result from this forum. We expect that the federal government will recognize and support the needs of the respective provinces and territories as we work together to address housing issues."

The ministers agreed on the need to focus on the homeless, those requiring special services, and the hard to house. The ministers also discussed housing issues in northern, rural, and remote communities, and the need for continued federal, provincial, and territorial cooperation to resolve the housing issues facing residents in these communities.

Minister Matthews added: "The conference was productive and insightful. I am confident that continued cooperation will provide solutions to problems and issues in housing and local government facing all provinces and territories. I look forward to bringing the discussions back to Newfoundland and Labrador and building upon our own activities and initiatives."

Media contact: John Doody, Communications, (709) 729-1983.

1999 08 03 4:15 p.m.