November 17, 1999
(Municipal and Provincial Affairs)

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

I wish to advise the House today that a total of 13 one-day educational seminars are now taking place throughout the province to ensure that all elected officials and administrators are thoroughly familiar with all aspects of the new Municipalities Act.

I am also pleased to say that the Newfoundland and Labrador Federation of Municipalities, the Newfoundland and Labrador Association of Administrators and the Combined Councils of Labrador have made a firm commitment to these information/education seminars.

The initial seminar was held in November at the annual convention of the Federation of Municipalities in Corner Brook. It was well received by the more than 500 delegates who attended from municipalities throughout Newfoundland and Labrador. The remaining seminars will take place over the coming weeks with the last seminar scheduled for the annual meeting of the Combined Councils of Labrador in January.

The new Municipalities Act which was proclaimed during the 1999 spring session of the legislature comes into force in January of 2000. It is a significant piece of legislation and confers greater freedom, flexibility and autonomy upon communities in areas of taxation, administration, financial management. As well, it provides new authority in the area of economic development.

The new Municipalities Act is more user-friendly and it constitutes a major part of the department's legislative reform program for local governments. Together with a new Urban and Rural Planning Act and other legislation currently under review, our reform programs will ensure that our municipalities are structured and managed in a way that will enable them to more effectively deliver the type of services that people will require - and are able to afford - as we head into the new millennium.

For the information of members, I am attaching a list of the times, dates and locations of the 13 educational seminars. I would ask members to assist me in urging all municipalities throughout their districts to have appropriate representation at these important sessions.

I also wish to advise the House that my department has entered into a Memorandum of Understanding on training and development with the Federation of Municipalities, the Association of Municipal Administrators, and the Combined Councils of Labrador. The signing of this MOU which took place earlier this month is a public declaration and recognition of our willingness to continue our collective approach to municipal training.

The signing signifies a commitment to partnerships - one that encompasses consultation and information sharing. To mark this MOU signing, the Department of Municipal and Provincial Affair made a one-time grant of $50,000 available to the partnership. It is in addition to funding identified in the MOU and is intended to provide a kick start to the many worthwhile and valuable training initiatives that are being developed by the partnership. Our joint efforts clearly demonstrate the advantages gained from mutual cooperation and coordination.

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SCHEDULE FOR MUNICIPALITIES ACT EDUCATIONAL SEMINARS

1999 11 17 2:20 p.m.