Municipal Affairs and Environment
May 10, 2017
Government Recognizes Value of Local Government on Municipal Awareness Day
Today is Municipal Awareness Day in Newfoundland and Labrador, and municipalities and stakeholders are holding events to celebrate the occasion. The Honourable Eddie Joyce, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Environment, was joined by Karen Oldford, President of Municipalities Newfoundland and Labrador, and Brian Peckford, President of Professional Municipal Administrators, to sign the proclamation and acknowledge the hard work of local leaders and staff in strengthening municipalities.
The Provincial Government supports the work undertaken by municipalities in a number of ways, including encouraging participation in municipal leadership. Municipal elections will be held this year on September 26, and the Provincial Government is working with Municipalities Newfoundland and Labrador and local governments on the “Make Your Mark” campaign in an effort to encourage individuals to join in the election process and consider running for local councils.
The Provincial Government also supports projects lead by municipal leaders to benefit their communities. Through Budget 2017, a new three-year $100 million municipal infrastructure program will strengthen infrastructure, provide better access to water and wastewater systems, and advance regional collaboration through sharing of infrastructure and services. By committing provincial funding of $35 million over the next two years, an overall investment by federal, provincial and municipal partners of $60 million will occur through the Small Communities Fund of the New Building Canada Fund.
Quotes
“Municipal Awareness Day is an occasion to thank those who work hard every day to ensure residents have access to quality services in their communities. Our government provides significant investments to support our communities. We are pleased to work with stakeholders and governments of all interests to come together and make improvements that benefit residents for the long term.”
Honourable Eddie Joyce
Minister of Municipal Affairs and Environment
“Municipal Awareness Day is the perfect opportunity to celebrate the more than 1,700 municipal councillors and hundreds of dedicated staff who work hard to make our municipalities more sustainable, prosperous, and beautiful places to live, work and play.”
Karen Oldford
President, Municipalities Newfoundland and Labrador
"Municipal Awareness Day is a day to recognize the many contributions of municipal government. Administrators are proud to be a part of the municipal team that serves your community and improves your quality of life. It is especially important that we recognize Municipal Awareness Day this year because every municipality in this province will be involved in a general election in September. Municipal Awareness Day is an excellent opportunity to discover what municipal administrators and councillors do on a daily basis and the process involved in running a municipal election. We encourage everyone to get out on May 10, visit your town offices, and speak to your municipal staff.”
Brian Peckford
President, Professional Municipal Administrators
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Learn more
Photo of signing of Municipal Awareness Day proclamation
2017-18 Municipal Capital Works and Cost-Shared Funding Programs
Ministerial Statement - Minister Joyce Acknowledges Municipal Awareness Day
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Media contact
Lynn Robinson
Municipal Affairs and Environment
709-729-5449, 691-9466
lynnrobinson@gov.nl.ca
2017 05 10 10:05 a.m.