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

Speaker, I rise in this Honourable House today to recognize May 5 to 11 as Municipal Awareness Week in Newfoundland and Labrador.

Today in our province we have 270 incorporated municipalities who play a vital role in improving the overall well-being of residents by maintaining operations and providing important services throughout communities.

Speaker, on Friday, I will be joining Municipalities Newfoundland and Labrador and municipal leaders at the annual Municipal Symposium, Unlocking Excellence, which is taking place in the scenic District of Gander.

I applaud all mayors, councillors and staff for their ongoing commitment to enriching the lives of Newfoundlanders and Labradorians. Their devotion to strengthening communities is truly unwavering.

As a government, we acknowledge that municipalities are facing challenges and Budget 2024 includes key funding initiatives to help address those challenges:

• $50 million over five years to support water and wastewater projects.
• More than $160 million for Municipal Operating Grants, Special Assistance Grants, Community Enhancement Employment Program, and Canada Community Building Fund.
• $400,000 increase for municipal training.
• $400,000 increase for municipal fire departments to support their response to incidents outside their municipal boundary.

I look forward to continuing to work together with Municipalities Newfoundland and Labrador and municipal leaders throughout the province on our shared goal to build more sustainable and vibrant municipalities. I also encourage all Newfoundlanders and Labradorians to celebrate the work and leadership of the municipal sector in our province during Municipal Awareness Week.

Thank you.