Municipal Affairs
August 16, 2016

Encouraging Public Input into Legislative Processes

Provincial Government Begins Review of Assessment Act, 2006

The Provincial Government is partnering with the Municipal Assessment Agency and Municipalities Newfoundland and Labrador to undertake a review of the Assessment Act, 2006. It is the first significant review of the legislation in the past 10 years.

"Property assessments issued for the 2016 taxation year caused concern for many residents in municipalities throughout the province, and our government made a commitment to initiate a review of the legislation. While we recognize that assessments are the responsibility of the Municipal Assessment Agency and the City of St. John's, and that municipal councils have the authority to set mil rates on residential and commercial property, the level of concern among property owners indicates there may be room for improvement."
- The Honourable Eddie Joyce, Minister of Municipal Affairs

The review will focus on the Assessment Act, 2006 and examine issues raised with respect to the timing of municipal assessments, assessment criteria, implementation of the associated mil rate by municipal councils, and the designation/assessment of special purpose properties.

A webpage has been established to provide information on the review, and to outline the means by which the public can provide input. It can be viewed at: www.ma.gov.nl.ca/review/review.html. The deadline for submissions is September 16, 2016.

"The Municipal Assessment Agency welcomes the public's suggestions for an improved property assessment system. We look forward to working with the review partners to implement an improved process for the people of Newfoundland and Labrador."
- Dean Ball, Chair, Municipal Assessment Agency

Municipalities Newfoundland and Labrador will be contacting municipal representatives in the coming days and weeks to solicit input on potential changes to the act.

"Municipalities Newfoundland and Labrador is committed to working closely with the Department of Municipal Affairs and the Municipal Assessment Agency, to examine the Assessment Act to ensure it better reflects the needs of the municipal sector and taxpayers."
- Mayor Karen Oldford, President ofMunicipalities Newfoundland and Labrador

The consultation process is expected to take place over the next several weeks, after which recommendations will be developed and presented to the review partners for consideration.

QUICK FACTS

• The Provincial Government is partnering with the Municipal Assessment Agency and Municipalities Newfoundland and Labrador to undertake a review of the Assessment Act, 2006.
• It is the first significant review of the legislation in the past 10 years.
• The review will focus on the Assessment Act, 2006 and examine issues raised with respect to the timing of municipal assessments, assessment criteria, implementation of the associated mil rate by municipal councils, and the designation/assessment of special purpose properties.
• A webpage has been established to provide information on the review and to outline the means by which the public can provide input. It can be viewed at: www.ma.gov.nl.ca/review/review.html. The deadline for submissions is September 16, 2016.

- 30 -

Media contacts:

Heather May Director of Communications Department of Municipal Affairs 709-729-1983, 697-5061 heathermay@gov.nl.ca	Sean Martin Executive Director/CEO Municipal Assessment Agency smartin@maa.ca 709-724-1533
Gail Woodfine Communications and Public Relations Municipalities Newfoundland and Labrador 709-753-6820 gwoodfine@municipalitiesnl.ca

2016 08 16                              10:00 a.m.