Municipal Associations in Newfoundland and Labrador Focusing on Fiscal Stability
For Immediate Release
March 14, 2024
Ahead of the 2024 Provincial budget, Municipalities Newfoundland and Labrador (MNL) and the Professional Municipal Administrators (PMA) are calling on the Provincial Government to once again support municipal fiscal stability and address municipal infrastructure needs.
Municipalities are facing significant financial burdens to support program, service and infrastructure delivery. At the same time, they are increasingly expected to and must take on more responsibilities, all of which have fiscal implications. As members return to the House of Assembly, MNL and PMA are reminding the government that outside of taxation, fees and grants, municipalities in Newfoundland and Labrador have limited revenue generating tools to address existing and growing needs.
With a 2024 provincial budget on the horizon, MNL and PMA are asking for increased financial support for municipal fire departments and municipal training needs; a commitment from government on ways to recover lost municipal revenue; and a renewed approach to revenue sharing. As municipal infrastructure needs continue to grow, MNL and PMA are also calling for clarity on how these needs will be met, now and into the future.
Specific requests include:
- An increase in special assistance funding available from the Department of Justice and Public Safety for fire service response outside municipal boundaries and additional funding to support outreach to municipal fire departments to better understand the scope of challenges they face. These requests are supported by the Newfoundland and Labrador Association of Fire Services (NLAFS);
- An increase in funding available from the Department of Municipal and Provincial Affairs to enable municipal councillors and staff to attend training opportunities related to municipal operations and governance;
- A commitment from government to review the outdated Taxation of Utilities and Cable Television Companies Act to address lost municipal revenue;
- A renewed approach to municipal-provincial-federal revenue sharing;
- Clarity on the status and future of municipal infrastructure funding allocations in this province, specifically for larger communities that do not have access to municipal operating grants.
“We cannot ignore the multiple crises that are happening in our communities. The demands on municipalities to act on climate change, to address housing shortages, and to respond to emergencies are high, all while they continue to face cost burdens associated with aging and new infrastructure. We need to find new and better ways to fiscally support local governments, and we know that this starts with addressing the needs of staff and volunteers who give so much of themselves to make sure that our communities are good places to live.” – Councillor Amy Coady, MNL President
“It is abundantly clear that municipalities all across the province are struggling with the increase in operational and financial demands involved in keeping their communities afloat. Municipal staff and council currently do not have the adequate budget, resources, or support to meet the needs of their towns, and it is causing significant strain on those who care deeply about the quality of services they offer their residents. Small towns with single staff offices are spread especially thin, and an increase in fiscal support would address many of the hurdles they are facing.” Brian Hudson, PMA President
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Background
Municipal Issues 2024: A Focus on Fiscal Stability
Media Contact
Tobias Romaniuk
Communications and Marketing Officer, MNL
tromaniuk@municipalnl.ca
709-725-1440
Ashley Sheppard
Member and Communications Coordinator, PMA
Ashley@pmanl.ca
709-726-6405