May 2, 2014
Strengthening Communities for a Sustainable Future
Provincial-Municipal Fiscal Framework Review Moving into Phase Two
With the first phase of the Provincial-Municipal Fiscal Framework review now complete, the Honourable Steve Kent, Minister of Municipal and Intergovernmental Affairs, today announced the start of the second phase of the process.
“During phase one of the consultation we received input from municipalities, local service districts and Inuit Community Governments. This feedback has been invaluable, as it will help identify improvements to the ways services are delivered, paid for, and shared; which will in turn better position local governments in Newfoundland and Labrador.”
- The Honourable Steve Kent, Minister of Municipal and Intergovernmental Affairs
Sixteen roundtable discussions were held across the province from January to April and involved over 470 registrants from Municipalities Newfoundland Labrador, Professional Municipal Administrators, Local Service District Committees and Rural Secretariat Councils. There have also been 80 online surveys and numerous written responses received to date.
The department has also conducted a jurisdictional review to obtain information about other province’s provincial-municipal fiscal relationship and local government structure.
As part of phase two of the consultations, over the coming months meetings will be held with targeted stakeholders involved in municipal service delivery such as economic development, recreation, waste collection/disposal, environment, infrastructure, firefighting, bylaw enforcement and land-use planning. The department will continue to accept feedback in writing, electronically or via postal mail until June 30, 2014. More details are available on the consultation webpage at www.miga.gov.nl.ca or by calling 709-729-5855.
“I am glad to see that phase one of the stakeholder consultations is now complete and I would like to thank all the elected officials and municipal staff who took the time to participate in this important initiative. The valuable feedback gained through these roundtable discussions will form a good basis for the creation of a new fiscal framework relationship between the province and our municipalities.”
- Churence Rogers, President, Municipalities Newfoundland and Labrador
A “What We Heard Document” was released this week during Municipalities Newfoundland and Labrador Symposium in Gander based on the feedback from consultations completed to date with municipalities and Inuit Community Governments. The document is also available online at miga.gov.nl.ca/consultations/fiscalframeworkreview/pdf/Fiscal_Framework_Discussion_Document.pdf Additional feedback received from online submissions and other stakeholders during phase one, and feedback from phase two will be consolidated into a final “What We Heard Document” which will be released this fall.
QUICK FACTS
- The review of the Provincial-Municipal Fiscal Framework is progressing with phase one of the stakeholder consultation process now complete.
- Residents and other stakeholders have the opportunity to complete an online survey and submit their feedback to the Provincial Government in writing electronically, by telephone or via postal mail until June 30, 2014. Details are available at: www.miga.gov.nl.ca/
- Phase two consultations with other key stakeholder groups are planned for spring/summer 2014.
A “What We Heard Document” has been prepared based on the feedback received from municipalities and Inuit Community Governments during phase one of the consultations, which is available online at miga.gov.nl.ca/consultations/fiscalframeworkreview/pdf/Fiscal_Framework_Discussion_Document.pdf
- 30 -
Media contacts:
| Hugh Donnan Director of Communications Department of Municipal and Intergovernmental Affairs 709-729-1983, 725-6511 hughdonnan@gov.nl.ca |
Gail Woodfine Communications and Public Relations Municipalities Newfoundland and Labrador 709-753-6822 gwoodfine@municipalnl.ca |
2014 05 02 2:20 p.m.