MNL has been advocating for regionalization in the municipal sector for nearly 20 years. Municipalities cannot carry on as they are doing.

Municipalities need a robust commitment to regional approaches from the provincial government. Without it, municipalities will continue to be in a more difficult circumstance than they already are. This is not acceptable, and we have the tools to make change. We now need the political will. 

Background on MNL’s work on regionalization

Regional Government

In February, 2020, a joint working group was convened with an objective of making recommendations for a plan to implement regionalization in Newfoundland and Labrador. The group was comprised of representatives from Municipalities Newfoundland and Labrador (MNL), Professional Municipal  Administrators of Newfoundland and Labrador (PMA) and the Department of Municipal and Provincial Affairs.

The report was submitted to government in January, 2022. On February 2, 2022, the Minister of Municipal and Provincial Affairs publicly released the report.

Click here to download a PDF of the report by the Joint Working Group on Regionalization.

Guiding Principles of Regionalization

The Joint Working Group on Regionalization report outlines a recommended approach to regionalization based on the following guiding principles:

• The provision of good local government for all residents;
• Better and more efficient local services;
• More transparent and accountable local government;
• Greater cooperation;
• Equitable taxation;
• Enhanced municipal administration;
• Integrated planning; and
• Potentially achieving regional economic development.

Key Recommendations for the Report

As stated in the Joint Working Group on Regionalization report

• Establishing a regional governance structure in the province to provide regional services to communities in order to achieve economies of scale.
• Municipalities will retain autonomy and provide local governance and services to the residents within their boundaries. Residents in municipalities to continue to pay taxes only to their municipal councils.
• Most regions will encompass a population range of 5,000 to 50,000 residents. Provisional regional boundaries will be developed, which will involve stakeholder input and the unique geographical landscape of the province.
• Representation, including the number of seats, wards and decision-making process, will be determined by a provisional regional advisory committee.
• Regional bodies will provide some services, such as land-use planning, economic development, emergency planning and by-law enforcement to all communities in the region.
• Regional bodies will be given taxation authority for properties in former LSDs and UIAs and charge user fees for services provided to municipalities.
• A multi-organization transition team comprised of staff from MPA, MNL and PMA will support communities during the transition period.
• Provincial Government should provide financial and administrative support during the transition period.
• Implement regional governance following a three-phase process over a period of three (3) years: – Phase I – Identify local governance capacity, regional boundaries and begin legislative development; – Phase II – Regional governance design; and – Phase III – Regional governance implementation.

Past Research and Studies Published by MNL

Continuities and Discontinuities: A Brief History of Local and Regional Government in NL (2010)

Searching for a Purpose: A Current Assessment of Municipal Government and Regional Governance in NL (2010)

The Umbrella of Protection: Regional Government as the protector and promotor of municipal strength and autonomy in NL  (2010)

The Next Steps in the Regional Government Process (2013)