The following statement was read in the House of Assembly today by the Honourable John Haggie, Minister of Municipal and Provincial Affairs:

Speaker, I stand today to congratulate Municipalities Newfoundland and Labrador and the Professional Municipal Administrators on the success of their annual conferences held this month in St. John’s and Gander respectively.

These conferences are excellent opportunities to build upon our regular discussions with members of the municipal sector about priorities and opportunities for their communities.

These individuals work tirelessly every day to make our communities the best possible places to live, always striving to enrich the lives and well-being of Newfoundlanders and Labradorians.

Discussions ranged from housing supports and social well-being to economic development, climate change impacts and mitigation, and collaboration and service sharing. These topics were also the focus of discussion at the Premier’s Forum on Friday at the Municipalities Newfoundland and Labrador conference, which encompassed rural and regional development and opportunities to continue building a sustainable future.

Our government continues to support municipalities, including a $6 million increase over two years to municipal operating grants, more than $2 million announced for Age Friendly Community Grants in March 2023, and a combined $1 million for Community Collaboration Grants and Accessible Communities Grants.

I look forward to ongoing discussions and continued work with municipal leaders as we continue to collaborate to build strong, vibrant communities.

I ask my honourable colleagues to join me in congratulating municipal leaders and staff who have received long service awards this year. Their work is recognized and very much appreciated.