Executive Council
Municipal Affairs
August 25, 2016
Empowering Our Communities
Preparations Continue for Premier’s Forum on Local Government
Preparations continue for the first annual Premier’s Forum on Local Government, to be held in St. John’s on October 5 in conjunction with Municipalities Newfoundland and Labrador (MNL) and the Combined Councils of Labrador (CCL). The Honourable Dwight Ball, Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador, will host the forum, which will focus on priority issues of common interest to municipalities in Newfoundland and Labrador.
“Our government made a commitment to hold an annual Premier’s Forum to hear from elected municipal leaders on key issues impacting municipalities in this province. I look forward to hearing suggestions on how we can make our communities more sustainable; how they can operate more efficiently and effectively, and how we can encourage more people to take on leadership roles – all with a view to improving the quality of life for our residents.”
- The Honourable Dwight Ball, Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador
The Premier’s Forum Advisory Committee recently named the 11-member MNL board of directors, and the 24 representatives elected by individual municipalities to participate in the forum on behalf of their regions. Participants are listed in the backgrounder below.
“This forum will give us an opportunity to explore options for delivering strong municipal governance and services in communities throughout Newfoundland and Labrador. I thank all those who offered themselves for nomination, and those who voted. I also encourage all elected officials to consider putting their name forward for next year’s nomination process.”
- The Honourable Eddie Joyce, Minister of Municipal Affairs
The committee includes representation from the Department of Municipal Affairs, the Provincial Government’s Communications and Public Engagement Branch, MNL, the CCL, and the Professional Municipal Adminstrators.
“The opportunity to collectively discuss key municipal issues with the Premier is always a welcome occasion for elected community leaders. Municipalities Newfoundland and Labrador is pleased to have been asked to partner with the Department of Municipal Affairs in organizing the inaugural Premier’s Forum on Local Government, which will take place preceding MNL’s 66th annual convention in St. John’s.”
- Mayor Karen Oldford, President of Municipalities Newfoundland and Labrador
Topics to be discussed at the forum are: municipal infrastructure, municipal finances; municipal regionalization and municipal democracy. These topics were selected by municipal representatives who attended the Municipalities Newfoundland and Labrador symposium held earlier this year in Gander.
“The Combined Councils of Labrador is looking forward to the Premier’s Forum on Local Government. The forum will give municipal leaders and government representatives the opportunity to discuss pressing issues that affect our communities and residents moving forward.”
- Margaret Rumbolt, Executive Director of the Combined Councils of Labrador
The Premier’s Forum on Local Government takes place at the Delta Hotel in St. John’s on Wednesday, October 5.
QUICK FACTS
- Preparations continue for the first annual Premier’s Forum on Local Government, to be held in St. John’s on October 5 in conjunction with Municipalities Newfoundland and Labrador (MNL) and the Combined Councils of Labrador (CCL).
- The forum will focus on priority issues of common interest to municipalities in Newfoundland and Labrador.
- The Premier’s Forum Advisory Committee recently named the 11-member MNL board of directors, and the 24 representatives elected by individual municipalities to participate in the forum on behalf of their regions.
- All municipalities in Newfoundland and Labrador were given an opportunity to vote for four nominated representatives within their region.
- Topics to be discussed at the forum are: municipal infrastructure, municipal finances, municipal regionalization and municipal democracy. These topics were selected by municipal representatives who attended the Municipalities Newfoundland and Labrador symposium held in Gander earlier this year.
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Media contacts:
| Michelle Cannizzaro Media Relations Manager Office of the Premier 709-729-3960 michellecannizzaro@gov.nl.ca |
Heather May Director of Communications Department of Municipal Affairs 709-729-1983, 697, 5061 heathermay@gov.nl.ca |
| Gail Woodfine Communications and Public Relations Municipalities Newfoundland and Labrador 709-753-6820 gwoodfine@municipalnl.ca |
Margaret Rumbolt Executive Director Combined Councils of Labrador 709-921-6836 execdir@combinedcouncils.ca |
BACKGROUNDER
Premier’s Forum Participants – MNL Board of Directors
| Name | MNL Position/Municipal Council |
|---|---|
| Karen Oldford | President (Labrador City) |
| Tony Keats | Vice-President (Dover) |
| Wayne Power | Avalon Director (Placentia) |
| Claude Elliott | Central Director (Gander) |
| Dale Colbourne | Northern Director (St. Lunaire-Griquet) |
| Betty Fitzgerald | Eastern Director (Bonavista) |
| Art Puddister | St. John’s Director (St. John’s) |
| Wilson Belbin | Labrador Director (Forteau) |
| Roger Barrett | Western Director (Reidville) |
| Dean Ball | Urban Municipalities Director (Deer Lake) |
| Sheila Fitzgerald | Small Towns Director (Roddickton-Bide Arm) |
Premier’s Forum Participants – Regional Representatives
| Region | Representatives |
|---|---|
| Avalon |
|
| Central |
|
| Eastern |
|
| Labrador |
|
| Northern |
|
| Western |
|
2016 08 25 2:10 p.m