The Provincial Government is launching the second phase of consultations for community leaders and administrators to engage in modernizing the Municipalities Act, 1999, the City of St. John’s Act, the City of Mount Pearl Act and the City of Corner Brook Act.
In-person consultations will begin next week in Labrador City. A full list of locations is available in the backgrounder below. To register for a session, please visit www.EngageNL.ca or call 709-729-5539. The Provincial Government will also meet individually with the cities of St. John’s, Mount Pearl and Corner Brook on the second phase of the review.
Local governments, residents, and organizations have demonstrated their desire to see municipal legislation comprehensively reviewed and modernized and the Provincial Government is continuing work on that initiative. Budget 2018 provides more than $100,000 for the Director of Legislative Renewal to proceed with work on the renewal of municipal legislation.
Written submissions received as part of the first phase of the municipal legislative review can be viewed here: www.engagenl.ca/content/submissions-municipal-legislation-review .
Those who are unable to attend an in-person event can contribute to the discussion online through EngageNL.ca.
Through The Way Forward, the Provincial Government is working to strengthen the province’s economic foundation and deliver better services and better outcomes for residents. The Way Forward outlines all actions the Provincial Government is taking to achieve a strong, diversified province with a high standard of living, and can be viewed at thewayforward.gov.nl.ca.
Quotes
“Our government is aiming for a more flexible municipal legislation that works for municipalities. We value the opinions and concerns of all Newfoundlanders and Labradorians to understand what works for them and where there can be improvements made. Our cities and local governments are evolving and we need to improve legislation that meets their needs to ensure they deliver quality services to residents.”
Honourable Andrew Parsons
Minister of Municipal Affairs and Environment
“Going into 2018 the number one priority for our sector was modernizing Newfoundland and Labrador’s municipal legislation. As we enter phase two of this review we look forward to working with Minister Andrew Parsons and the Department of Municipal Affairs and Environment to design new, less prescriptive legislation that gives municipalities more latitude to make decisions on behalf of residents and more tools to make their communities stronger.”
Tony Keats
President of Municipalities Newfoundland and Labrador
“PMA looks forward to continued involvement in the legislative review process with the Department of Municipal Affairs and Environment. As Phase II consultations approach, we encourage our members to get involved and make their views known. As key players in municipal government, administrators need to be protected. Municipal legislation must reflect the need for respectful workplaces and consequences for those who do not adhere to it. Thank you to Minister Parsons and staff for their dedication to this initiative. We look forward to working with you on the next phase.”
Brian Peckford
President of Professional Municipal Administrators
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Learn More
Budget 2018: Building for Our Future – Safe and Sustainable Communities
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
BACKGROUNDER
In-person Consultations for Municipal Legislative Review
| Tuesday, May 29 | Labrador City | 7:00 p.m. | College of the North Atlantic |
| Thursday, May 31 | L’Anse au Loup | 7:00 p.m. | Town Hall |
| Monday, June 4 | Grand Falls-Windsor | 7:00 p.m. | St. Joseph’s Hall |
| Tuesday, June 5 | Baie Verte | 7:00 p.m. | College of the North Atlantic |
| Wednesday, June 6 | Stephenville | 7:00 p.m. | College of the North Atlantic |
| Thursday, June 7 | Port aux Basques | 7:00 p.m. | College of the North Atlantic |
| Thursday, June 14 | Carbonear | 7:00 p.m. | Royal Canadian Legion |
| Tuesday, June 19 | Marystown | 7:00 p.m. | Marystown Hotel |
| Wednesday, June 20 | Torbay | 7:00 p.m. | Jack Byrne Arena |