Important Work of Municipalities Acknowledged by Government

Municipalities across the province continue to deliver programs and services to grow their communities and build civic pride. In recognition of this important work, May 27 to 31 has been designated as Municipal Awareness Week in Newfoundland and Labrador. The Honourable Kevin O’Brien, Minister of Municipal Affairs, signed the proclamation at the Municipalities Newfoundland and Labrador (MNL) Symposium in Gander on May 10, along with Churence Rogers, President of MNL, and Brian Peckford, Central Director of the Professional Municipal Administrators.

“Municipal Awareness Week is an opportunity each spring to recognize the important work being done by municipal councils and staff, to help grow towns and cities across this province,” said Minister O’Brien. “This year in particular we are putting a focus on the work of our elected municipal leaders, as we encourage residents to consider running for municipal office during the upcoming elections on September 24.”

Many municipalities across the province will be holding municipal awareness events and celebrations this week. Residents are encouraged to get involved in events in their local regions.

“We will continue to support our municipalities as was clearly demonstrated in Budget 2013,” said Minister O’Brien. “We are introducing a new Municipal Operating Grant formula for 2014, and we have also begun discussions with Municipalities Newfoundland and Labrador as well as other key stakeholders on a new municipal-provincial fiscal framework.”

Budget 2013: A Sound Plan, A Secure Future provided funding to maintain the existing Municipal Operating Grant formula for communities under 11,000 residents for 2013. In addition, it committed $22 million to support a new Municipal Operating Grant formula for communities under 11,000 residents effective January 1, 2014. A further $25 million commitment will support the development of a new Capital Works Program for the seven municipalities in the province with populations greater than 11,000 residents.

- 30 -

Media contact:
Hugh Donnan
Director of Communications
Department of Municipal Affairs
709-729-1983, 725-6511
hughdonnan@gov.nl.ca 

2013 05 27             10:15 a.m.