On-going

Way Forward Commitment:

Municipalities are responsible for basic and vital services, such as water, sewage, waste collection, snow clearing, road maintenance, and fire and emergency services, as well as recreation, public transit, land use planning, street lighting, animal control and bylaw enforcement.

Our government led an extensive public engagement process in 2017 to inform future decisions regarding regional government and service-sharing models for municipalities, local service districts and unincorporated areas. Using the results of this public engagement process, in 2018-19 we will develop pilot project options to encourage communities to pursue infrastructure improvements and deliver services collaboratively in a manner that still ensures a local voice for all residents.

What We’ve Accomplished:

• In 2017, the Department of Municipal Affairs and Environment (MAE) undertook extensive public consultations on regional governance and sharing of services. Feedback on potential models was also gathered during the second annual Premier’s Forum on Local Government, held on November 1, 2017. MAE concluded public consultations on regional governance/service sharing in late November 2017 and released a What We Heard document.
• Throughout 2018, input and data from consultations was thoroughly reviewed and analyzed. Insights from this data and cross jurisdictional research have been used to inform recommendations for potential pilot area(s) and model(s), and next steps towards implementation of the pilots. Recommended pilot area(s) and a path forward for implementation will be presented to Government for consideration in the near future.
• An update was recently provided to many municipal leaders during the third annual Premier’s Forum on Local Government held on October 4, 2018.
• A three-year municipal infrastructure program with new cost share ratios for municipal projects was announced on March 13, 2017, by the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Environment. The minister was joined by the President of Municipalities Newfoundland and Labrador, who indicated, “This move ensures we will receive all of the significant federal funding available to the sector. In addition to the funding, being able to plan infrastructure investments effectively is critical. Municipalities Newfoundland and Labrador is pleased that the continued multi-year capital works plan and the new step of pre-announcing intake dates for three years on other programs makes planning that much easier for municipalities.”
• Through the new cost-share ratios, projects that support regional collaboration through infrastructure and sharing of services see a decrease in the municipal contribution of 10 per cent, unless the project is eligible for a 90/10 cost-share arrangement.
• Examples of regional projects that the Provincial Government has invested in though its municipal infrastructure program include: The Labrador Wellness Centre in the Happy Valley-Goose Bay region and the Easter Seals Inclusive Park (Northeast Avalon region).
• On September 10, 2018, the Provincial Government signed a bilateral agreement under the Investing in Canada Plan that will provide more than $555 million in federal funding over the next decade for community infrastructure projects. Under the Investing in Canada Plan, the Provincial Government has adjusted its cost share ratios for new projects to make it easier for communities to construct roads and community centres.

News Releases:

Premier Ball Announces $38.8 Million for Municipal Infrastructure

Premier’s Forum Leads to Valuable Discussions on Regional Government

Provincial Government Releases Results of Regional Government Consultations

Premier Ball Announces $555.9 Million Agreement for Community Infrastructure

Delegates of Premier’s Forum Contribute to Municipal Legislative Review

Premier Ball Announces New Cost Share Ratios for Municipal Infrastructure Projects