The Honourable Dwight Ball, Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador, hosted the third annual Premier’s Forum on Local Government this morning in Gander. Premier Ball was joined by delegates representing municipalities across the province to discuss ways of modernizing municipal legislation. The forum was held in conjunction with Municipalities Newfoundland and Labrador, the Combined Councils of Labrador and Professional Municipal Administrators.
The Provincial Government has held extensive public consultations on the municipal legislative review. Delegates of the forum worked collaboratively toward solutions related to professional conduct and municipal powers. The forum focused on key issues for renewing municipal legislation, intended to result in updated legislation that:
- Is more user-friendly;
- Increases openness, accountability, and transparency;
- Addresses councillor and municipal staff conduct, including conflict of interest;
- Modernizes legislation to empower municipalities for increased local and regional decision-making and service delivery;
- Clarifies the roles of municipalities and Provincial Government; and
- Provides municipalities with the ability to generate revenue, and facilitate economic development.
Through The Way Forward, the Provincial Government is taking action to strengthen the province’s economic foundation, improve efficiency, 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 “We selected municipal legislation as the focus for the forum because we heard the call from communities and residents for a strong and more flexible legislative framework. I was pleased to participate in the discussions and I thank the municipal leaders and administrators who provided invaluable advice and insight to help improve local governance.” Honourable Dwight Ball Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador
“I thank all delegates from across Newfoundland and Labrador for bringing their thoughts and concerns about municipal legislation to the table. Working together, we will ensure that changes to municipal legislation impact all communities within our province in a very positive way.” Honourable Andrew Parsons Minister of Municipal Affairs and Environment
– 30 –
Learn More
Premier’s Forum on Local Government
Media contacts
Michelle Cannizzaro
Office of the Premier
709-729-3960
michellecannizzaro@gov.nl.ca
Lynn Robinson
Municipal Affairs and Environment
709-729-5449, 691-9466
lynnrobinson@gov.nl.ca