ST. JOHN’S, NL – The second phase of consultations to engage community leaders and administrators in modernizing legislation governing municipalities in the province begins next week in Labrador City.
The provincial government is looking to improve the Municipalities Act, the City of St. John’s Act, the City of Mount Pearl Act and the City of Corner Brook Act.
“Our government is aiming for a more flexible municipal legislation that works for municipalities,” Municipal Affairs and Environment Minister Andrew Parsons said in a release issued on Thursday, May 24.
“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.”
In addition to the Labrador City consultation on Tuesday, May 29, sessions are scheduled for L’Anse aux Loup (May 31), Grand Falls-Windsor (June 4), Baie Verte (June 5), Stephenville (June 6), Port aux Basques (June 7), Carbonear (June 14), Marystown (June 19) and Torbay (June 20).
The provincial government will also be meeting individually with the cities of St. John’s, Mount Pearl and Corner Brook during the second phase of the review.
"Going into 2018 the number one priority for our sector was modernizing Newfoundland and Labrador's municipal legislation,” Municipalities Newfoundland and Labrador (MNL) president Tony Keats said.
“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."
You can register for the consultations online at www.EngageNL.ca or by calling 709-729-5539. Individuals unable to attend an in-person event can also offer their contributions online through the website.
Written submissions received as part of the first phase of the municipal legislative review can be viewed at www.engagenl.ca/content/submissions-municipal-legislation-review.
