Municipal Affairs
November 12, 2009
Successful Convention Held
for Municipalities in Gander
More than 160
municipalities and 700 delegates, partners, exhibitors
and guests participated in the 59th Annual
Municipalities Newfoundland and Labrador (MNL)
Convention and Trade Show held in Gander this past
weekend.
�I was pleased to participate in the MNL Convention and
experience first-hand the tremendous work and dedication
of our province�s municipal leaders,� said the
Honourable Tom Hedderson, Minister of Municipal Affairs
(Acting). �The convention is a key training, networking
and educational opportunity for mayors and councillors,
and a great mechanism to exchange ideas, discuss
important municipal issues and share innovative
solutions to challenges faced by municipal councils.�
In addition to
participating in training, educational sessions, the
trade show and annual general meeting, 175 municipal
leaders were given special recognition at an
appreciation banquet where the Department of Municipal
Affairs presented them with long service awards for
their commitment to their communities.
�The municipal leaders
recognized during the convention all have served their
communities for a minimum of 12 years, including four
who have served over 30 years, and five special awards
for mayors and councilors with more than 35 years
service,� said Minister Hedderson. �The dedication shown
by individuals from across the province is
extraordinary, and it is their hard work and commitment
that will help guide municipalities and our wonderful
province to a bright future.�
The Honourable Dianne
Whalen, Minister of Municipal Affairs, was made an
honorary member of Municipalities Newfoundland and
Labrador and recognized by her peers during the
convention in recognition of her years of municipal
service and contributions to municipalities. Prior to
becoming MHA for Conception Bay East and Bell Island in
2003, Minister Whalen was mayor of Paradise for 18
years. She spent two decades in municipal politics,
where she served as a director of the provincial and
national federation of municipalities and served on such
standing committees as Economic Development, Community
Safety Crime Prevention, Northern Remote Forum and the
Environmental Membership Development Committee.
The Department of
Municipal Affairs also highlighted for delegates a
number of initiatives in support of municipalities which
include:
- A modification to
how municipalities can spend gas tax funding.
Beginning in 2010, gas tax funding will be able to
be used for the municipal share of approved
cost-shared projects which address water quality,
wastewater quality or regional cooperation
initiatives.
- The Provincial
Government�s unprecedented multi-year commitment to
municipal capital works funding which has increased
the capital works budget by more than $34 million
annually, bringing the total annual commitment to
municipal infrastructure to more than $84 million.
Together with federal and municipal contributions,
this three-year program is worth in excess of $400
million.
- A commitment to
continue to pursue federal funding that may become
available. In 2009, the Department of Municipal
Affairs accessed almost $110 million for municipal
infrastructure through Building Canada, Base Funds,
stimulus money, and federal top-up funds.
- The fact that
Newfoundland and Labrador committed all of its
initial allocation under the Recreation
Infrastructure Fund and was able to access a second
allocation under the program that will see about $22
million invested in recreation infrastructure over
the next two years.
- A commitment to
provide funding of $100,000 in support of learning
and professional development opportunities for
municipal councillors attending the Municipalities
Newfoundland and Labrador symposium in the spring of
2010. The department will provide funding of $250
per councilor to a maximum of two councilors per
municipality to attend this important learning and
development forum.
- Training to all
councils in the province on their roles and
responsibilities. The Department of Municipal
Affairs will cover 100 per cent of the costs to
encourage new and incumbent councillors to attend
training.
- Expansion of a
ticketing pilot project concerning the enforcement
of municipal by-laws and regulations for
property-related offences through issuance of
tickets. Depending upon needs and resources, this
may be an ideal opportunity for some towns to engage
in regional cooperation initiatives.
- A contribution of
$25,000 in support of the Municipalities
Newfoundland and Labrador branding exercise
promoting a focus on people and potential.
�I would like to
acknowledge the participation of our municipal leaders
this past weekend, and recognize the newly elected board
of directors for MNL, whom I look forward to working
with as we continue our efforts to promote, support and
secure the future of municipalities throughout
Newfoundland and Labrador,� said Minister Hedderson.
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Media contact:
Heather MacLean
Director of Communications
Department of Municipal Affairs
709-729-1983, 697-4137
heathermaclean@gov.nl.ca
2009 11 12
11:20 a.m. |