Municipal Affairs and Environment
December 6, 2017
Provincial Government Begins Consultations for Municipal Legislation
The Provincial Government is launching consultations to modernize the Municipalities Act, 1999, the City of St. John�s Act, the City of Mount Pearl Act and the City of Corner Brook Act. The Honourable Eddie Joyce, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Environment, made the announcement today and was joined by Brian Peckford, President of the Professional Municipal Administrators; Tony Keats, President of Municipalities Newfoundland and Labrador; and Danny Breen, Mayor of St. John�s.
The consultations process will contribute to ensuring that the municipal legislative framework is modern, enabling, less prescriptive, and meets the needs of today�s cities and local governments. Concepts the Provincial Government is exploring include: clarifying the roles and responsibilities of the municipality and the Provincial Government; code of conduct for elected representatives; appropriate protection for municipal and city workers; and ways to enhance public access to municipal information.
In addition to consulting with residents, the Department of Municipal Affairs and Environment will be consulting with local governments, Municipalities Newfoundland and Labrador, and Professional Municipal Administrators. Each of the three cities will be consulted on their specific enabling legislation. The Provincial Government has heard their desire to see municipal legislation comprehensively reviewed and updated.
Through Budget 2017, the Provincial Government dedicated a Director of Legislative Renewal to focus exclusively on completion of a review of this legislation that is important to local governments and residents.
The public is encouraged to make a submission at EngageNL.ca 
and share their thoughts on how Newfoundland and Labrador can renew legislation that governs communities and cities.
Quotes
�Any changes to municipal legislation will impact all communities within Newfoundland and Labrador; therefore, it is critical that we engage with those who work under this legislation � to hear what works for them and what can be improved � and ensure that the legislative framework meets the needs of today�s cities and local governments.�
Honourable Eddie Joyce
Minister of Municipal Affairs and Environment
�MNL has been advocating for a review of municipal legislation for some time and we�re delighted to be a part of this announcement today. We have some of the oldest municipal legislation in the country. We�re looking forward to working with the provincial government to make new legislation that gives municipalities more latitude and capacity to respond to residents and create the communities they want.�
Tony Keats
President of Municipalities Newfoundland and Labrador
�It is with great excitement that Professional Municipal Administrators (PMA) welcomes the commitment by Minister Eddie Joyce to conduct a review of existing municipal legislation. PMA is eager to participate on this review committee and determine if areas of the legislation can be expanded or clarified. One area that PMA has particular interest in is that of workplace harassment. A respectful workplace is a priority for PMA and we will strive to have it addressed in the Municipalities Act.�
Brian Peckford
President, Professional Municipal Administrators
�I am hopeful that today�s announcement will bring about legislative changes to improve our ability to meet the current and future needs of our growing city. As the city and region has developed, much of the governing legislation has not kept pace. I look forward to working with Minister Joyce as we collaborate to amend current legislation, and to bring the City of St.John's Act in line with that of municipalities across the country.�
Danny Breen
Mayor of the City of St. John�s
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Learn More
Make a submission at EngageNL.ca .
Follow us on Twitter: @GovNL and @MAE_GovNL
Media contacts
Lynn Robinson
Municipal Affairs and Environment
709-729-5449, 691-9466
lynnrobinson@gov.nl.ca
Gail Woodfine
Municipalities Newfoundland and Labrador
709-753-6820
gwoodfine@municipalnl.ca
Krista Planke
Professional Municipal Administrators
709-726-6405
ex.dir@nlama.ca
Kelly Maguire
City of St. John�s
709-576-8491
kmaguire@stjohns.ca
2017 12 06 12:15 p.m.