Agenda – Symposium 2023
Schedule of events for MNL’s 2023 Municipal Symposium: Framing Our Future in Gander, NL. May 4-6.
All events and sessions take place at the Quality Hotel.
Sessions with a camera icon have a video replay option
Wednesday, May 3
6:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Registration
Location: Mezzanine
Thursday, May 4
8:00 AM – 9:00 AM
Registration
Location: Mezzanine
8:00 AM – 9:00 AM
Sponsor Showcase and Networking Session
Nutrition Break sponsored by Municipal Assessment Agency
Location: Salon C/D
9:00 AM – 10:30 AM
Opening Introductions plus a Keynote Address on ‘Living Heritage in our Communities’
Keynote Speaker: Author and Folklorist Dale Jarvis, Heritage NL
Location: Salon A/B
Dale Jarvis, folklorist and Heritage NL Executive Director, will present on how community folklore is at the heart of regional identity, on identifying traditions and places at risk, sharing our stories, and planning for the future.
For close to four decades, the Heritage Foundation of Newfoundland and Labrador (Heritage NL) has been working to safeguard the historic places and living heritage of the province. Particularly concerned about the loss of traditional know-how, Heritage NL is working to document crafts at risk and to develop ways to encourage the sharing of heritage skills.
This session will also include greetings from MNL’s President, Amy Coady, as well as CEO Rob Nolan, and key MNL updates.
10:40-11:35
What Your Municipality Needs to Know About Recycling Used Oil Products
Presenter: Mona Rossiter
Location: Salon A/B
Learn how your municipality can play an important role in diverting used oil products from the province’s landfills. Provincial regulations require that individuals, businesses, and industrial/commercial operations that generate used oil products in your municipality dispose of them properly. The Atlantic Used Oil Management Association is the industry association responsible for helping to make that happen. In this session, Mona will share with you how the province is doing to date, where the challenges are, and how you can get involved.
11:45 AM – 1:15 PM
Luncheon with entertainment by G&T
Sponsored by Cal LeGrow
Location: Salon C/D
1:15 PM – 1:45 PM
Municipal Assessment Agency Update: Tax Year 2024 Valuation Results
Presenter: Don Hearn
Location: Salon A/B
Join Municipal Assessment Agency CEO Don Hearn as he presents on the 2024 valuation and other key MAA updates. Delegates will also have an opportunity to engage in a Q and A session.
1:15 PM – 2:20 PM
Addressing Rural Affordable Housing Needs Through Innovative, Municipal-Led Solutions
Presenter: Jen Crowe, Dr. Deatra Walsh
Location: Theatre
Municipalities have a significant role to play when it comes to addressing growing affordable housing needs and are well-positioned to be leaders in the delivery of innovative housing solutions. Municipalities NL and Choices for Youth have been conducting provincial research to analyze housing and homelessness needs across rural, remote, and northern regions of NL while exploring opportunities for partnership on the delivery of solutions that directly address homelessness and housing insecurity. Through this presentation, we will be sharing the results of this research, including key findings that can support municipalities interested in tackling the issue of affordable housing in their community.
1:50 PM – 2:20 PM
Municipalities & Communities: Drivers of Health Transformation
Presenter: Dr. Patrick Parfrey
Location: Salon A/B
Health Accord NL was released in June 2022 and included 59 Calls to Action to transform health in Newfoundland and Labrador. During this session, Dr. Patrick Parfrey will discuss how leaders can engage in an agenda to improve the well-being of people, families and communities, including specific considerations for seniors as we face indisputable demographic change. As we learn more about the feasibility of implementing critical items to improve health outcomes, the time is now for municipalities and communities to explore how to integrate, partner, and align.
2:30 PM – 3:30 PM
Engaging the UN Declaration: Walking This Path Together
Presenters: Chief Brendan Mitchell, Angelina Amaral
Location: Salon A/B
This session will introduce the UN Declaration and the Mi’kmaq of Ktaqmkuk UN Declaration action plan, with a focus on the ways MNL members can act to mobilize UN Declaration goals across Ktaqmkuk (Island of Newfoundland).
The United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UN Declaration) has been adopted by the Government of Canada since 2021 to affirm Indigenous peoples’ inherent rights to self-determination, lands, resources, and the ways and means to otherwise support their autonomous functions.
Municipalities have important roles to play in UN Declarations implementation. In recent months, the Assembly of First Nations (AFN) – Newfoundland & Nova Scotia region has been obtaining feedback from across Ktaqmkuk regarding Mi’kmaw priorities.
PDF of presentation slides pt. 1
PDF of presentation slides pt. 2
3:30 PM – 4:00 PM
Sponsor Showcase & Networking Session
Nutrition Break sponsored by Town Suite
Location: Salon C/D
4:00 PM – 5:00 PM
Mentorship in the Municipal Sector
Presenter: Tony Keats and guests
Location: Theatre
Veteran councillors, what do you know now that you wish you knew in your first couple of years on council? First-term councillors, what questions do you have about your role? In this special live taping of The Chambers podcast, two veteran councillors and two first-term councillors have a roundtable knowledge-sharing discussion, followed by an audience Q&A session.
4:00 PM – 5:30 PM
Drinking Water Quality and Floodplain Management
Presenter: Paula Dawe, Deneen Spracklin
Location: Salon A/B
Paula Dawe will speak to “Floodplain Management A to Z: What Municipalities Need to Know”: Flooding is the most costly type of natural disaster for Newfoundland and Labrador with damages from recent events exceeding one hundred million dollars. Since the 1980s, the province has helped over 40 communities in the development of flood extent mapping. This session will discuss the process of establishing flood extent mapping, which now includes an assessment of storm surge for coastal areas; floodplain management and regulatory controls for designated flood areas; questions and issues towns and residents might have concerning flood risk mapping; and available and planned tools for flood risk management.
Deneen Spracklin will speak to “Drinking Water Quality: The Path Towards Water Treatment”: Many communities throughout the province are interested in improving their drinking water quality. This presentation will provide communities with an introduction to various approaches to water treatment. It will also include a discussion of items that need to be investigated before a community can proceed with water treatment.
PDF of presentation slides – drinking water
PDF of presentation slides – floodplain management
5:00 PM – 5:30 PM
The Role the Association for New Canadians Plays in Supporting Newcomers to the Province
Presenter: James Baker, Stefanie Kao-Fowler
Location: Theatre
For over forty years, the Association for New Canadians (ANC) has been providing an array of programs and services designed to support the inclusion and integration of newcomers to Newfoundland and Labrador. The purpose of this session is to provide delegates with a broad overview of the ANC’s core business lines (Resettlement/Settlement, Language, Employment, and Public Education/Diversity), with particular emphasis placed on the role of the eight Satellite Offices. In addition, delegates will learn about the role municipalities can play in supporting newcomers as well as the benefits that immigration can bring to rural Newfoundland and Labrador.
5:45 PM – 6:45 PM
Meet-up for Indigenous Members
Location: Theatre
MNL invites all Indigenous-identifying attendees to take this time to gather.
7:30 PM – 9:30 PM
Welcome Reception and Sponsor Showcase with a selection of hot and cold appetizers provided by Newfoundland Power, plus a cash bar.
Location: Salon C/D
Friday, May 5
8:00 AM – 8:45 AM
Sponsor Showcase and Networking Session
Nutrition Break sponsored by Steele Hotels
Location: Salon C/D
8:45 AM – 9:40 AM
Regional Approaches – Lessons learned from the Regional Opportunities Council of Avondale, Colliers, Conception Harbour, Harbour Main-Chapel’s Cove-Lakeview
Presenters: Mayor Mike Doyle, Mayor Owen Mahoney, Mayor Ray Cole, Mayor Craig WIlliams
Location: Salon A/B
Learn about the experience of the Regional Opportunities Council for Avondale, Colliers, Conception Harbour, and Harbour View-Chapel’s Cove-Lakeview, more than two years into their regional collaboration. In December 2020, the four towns signed an MOU to establish a framework for co-operation and collaboration for issues of a regional nature that benefit the whole region. During this session, you will hear from the four mayors regarding what has worked, how they have overcome challenges together, and advice for communities considering a similar approach.
9:45 AM – 10:40 AM
Energy Solutions: Helping Your Municipality Save Energy and Money
Presenter: Peter Upshall
Location: Salon A/B
The first step in saving energy is understanding where the opportunities exist. Join Peter Upshall, Energy Solutions Engineer with Newfoundland Power as he talks about some common opportunities to save energy for municipalities and rebates you can avail of to help. Peter will also discuss electrification opportunities, including electric vehicles and will be able to answer any specific questions your municipality may have.
10:45 AM – 11:25 AM
Small Towns Caucus Update
Location: Salon A/B
The Small Towns Advisory Committee held a virtual roundtable in March, and are meeting in person prior to the Symposium. In this brief session, hear what fellow small-town leaders are saying, what actions are being taken by MNL and by communities, and how you can be a part of the next roundtable discussion.
10:45 AM – 11:25 AM
Urban Municipalities Caucus Update
Location: Theatre
The Urban Municipal Committee held its last meeting in March, and are meeting in-person prior to the Symposium. In this session, all urban municipal delegates are welcome and will receive an update on what the committee is currently working on, and learn what actions are being taken by MNL and by communities on pressing issues affecting urban centres.
11:30 AM – 12:25 PM
Crown Lands – Key Updates
Presenter: Tara Morgan
Location: Salon A/B
The presentation will provide updates and insight on the Crown Lands processes since 2018. There will be an opportunity for delegates to engage in a short Q&A session following the presentation.
11:30 AM – 12:25 PM
Ukrainian Resettlement in Newfoundland and Labrador
Presenter: Maggie Peyton
Location: Theatre
In response to the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador has supported the resettlement of Ukrainians since spring of 2022. This presentation will inform participants of Government of Newfoundland and Labrador efforts to date. Participants will also have opportunity to ask questions on how municipalities can be engaged in the movement going forward.
12:30 PM – 1:55 PM
Luncheon sponsored by Municipal and Provincial Affairs
Speaker: The Honourable Krista Lynn Howell, Minister
Location: Salon C/D
2:00 PM – 2:55 PM
Update on Future of MNL’s “Leadership Essentials” and Overview of Provincial Mandatory Training for Elected Officials
Presenter: Bradley Power, Christopher Stamp
Location: Salon A/B
An update on MNL’s Municipal Leadership Essentials course, featuring a review of “Top 10 Tips” to being a municipal councillor. Session will also feature an overview of the provincial government’s mandatory training offerings. This will be a great refresher for seasoned councillors, and will prove informative for those newer to municipal leadership as well.
PDF of presentation slides pt. 1
PDF of presentation slides pt. 2
2:00 PM – 2:55 PM
Engaging on Fish Habitat Restoration Priorities, and Aquatic Invasive Species – What they are and what can we do?
Presenters: MacGregor Parent and Lica Christensen
Location: Theatre
This session features two short presentations. First, a look at the Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) National Core Program which works to stop the spread of AIS through the four management pillars of prevention, early detection, response, and control and management. This is done through consistent reporting, engagement, awareness, education, collaboration, and building partnerships. This presentation will cover a brief summary of what AIS to watch out for in the province, why we should care, and what you can do to help stop their spread.
Secondly, DFO is engaging all restoration practitioners (including municipalities) in the province to weigh in on valued fish species, areas, and ecosystem functions, as well as threats to those and any restoration priorities or goals that have been set. This session will also provide an introduction to the information DFO is engaging on, and interested municipalities can contact DFO afterwards to contribute to the engagement process.
3:00 PM – 3:55 PM
Climate Change: Driving the Energy Conversation
Presenter: Kira Hanesly, Edmundo Fausto
Location: Salon A/B
Big and small municipalities all across Newfoundland and Labrador need to support energy switching but it won’t look the same for everyone. What can we do in 2023? Over the next few years? By 2030?
This session offers a clear-eyed look at our sector role, strategies and challenges ahead as seen by a couple of our clean-energy thought leaders.
Printable takeaways sheet (PDF)
PDF of presentation slides pt. 1
PDF of presentation slides pt. 2
4:00 PM – 4:30 PM
Sponsor Showcase and Networking Session
with Nutrition Break sponsored by Stewart McKelvey
Location: Salon C/D
4:30 PM – 5:30 PM
Women and Gender-Diverse Individuals Caucus Meeting
Location: Salon A/B
It’s an MNL Women’s Caucus networking event! Come meet the women and gender-diverse folks working and leading in the municipal sector to share best practices, and support one another.
5:45 PM – 6:45 PM
Youth Caucus Meeting
Location: Theatre
Younger council members are invited to join a dynamic discussion on their challenges and opportunities and what MNL can do to help.
Saturday, May 6
8:30 AM – 9:30 AM
Networking Session
Nutrition Break sponsored by Atlantic Used Oil Management Association
Location: Salon C/D
9:30 AM – 10:20 AM
Your Municipality and Your Fire Department
Presenter: Duane Antle, Addison Quilty
Location: Salon A/B
This session will present the audience with an insight into the challenges fire departments are facing, as well as challenges to come, and how a respectful and effective relationship with town councils is a must.
10:30 AM – 11:25 AM
Growing Solutions: How Municipalities Can Strengthen Access to Food
Presenter: Joshua Smee, Sarah Crocker
Theatre
Food insecurity is top of mind for municipal leaders all over Newfoundland and Labrador. Municipalities hear directly from citizens who are struggling to afford the food they need. They also play an important strategic role in our food system through services, policies, and infrastructure. This session will include a brief crash course on what food insecurity looks like in NL, an overview of solutions that have already been implemented by municipalities, and a chance for attendees to brainstorm ideas for their communities going forward.
10:30 AM – 11:25 AM
Climate Change: Legal Considerations
Presenters: Jonathan Dale, Christopher Goodridge
Salon A/B
This session will feature the following topics:
1. Constructive expropriation: the SCC’s decision in Annapolis v. Halifax and potential financial consequences for NL municipalities.
2. Environmental considerations in the adoption and implementation of municipal regulations, development plans, and policies.
11:30 AM – 12:30 PM
Strategies for Municipalities on Supporting Physician Recruitment and Retention
Presenter: Bradley Power, MNL
Location: Salon A/B
Hear from Brad Power, MNL Director of Programs, on how your municipality can actively support physician recruitment in your community.