March 17, 2000
(Municipal and Provincial Affairs)

Municipalities Act Amendment proposed

Joan Marie Aylward, Minister of Municipal and Provincial Affairs, in consultation with the Newfoundland and Labrador Federation of Municipalities, today announced a temporary amendment to the Municipalities Act to address the issue of municipal councilors whose seats were vacated for arrears of 1999 municipal taxes.

The change to the act, which will be introduced to the House of Assembly during this session, will allow affected councilors to seek re-election in the next general election set for September 2001. The minister said this is a temporary measure which will not change the two year restriction on any councilors with tax arrears as of January 1, 2001 or future years.

"This temporary amendment protects the integrity of the act by stressing the need for accountability of municipal leaders," said the minister. "Without this amendment, the current two year restriction would mean that these former councilors would not be permitted to seek re-election in the scheduled 2001 general election. Accordingly, unless there were by-elections in their respective municipalities, following next year�s general election, these individuals would not be eligible for re-election until 2005."

Mayor Derm Flynn, President of the Newfoundland and Labrador Federation of Municipalities said: "It is very unfortunate that so many councilors were affected by the legislative change contained in the new act. However, this amendment will allow those affected to put their names on the ballot in next year�s general election. The citizens of each community will then decide their municipal representatives."

The minister said all municipalities in the province would be informed of this direction by way of a circular which will be distributed by the Department of Municipal and Provincial Affairs.

Media contact:

Glenn Bruce, Communications, Municipal and Provincial Affairs, (709) 729-1983
Derm Flynn, President, Newfoundland and Labrador Federation of Municipalities, (709) 753-6820.

2000 03 17                                                 3:45 p.m.