Municipal Concerns Must be Provincial Priorities
For Immediate Release
Sept. 15, 2025
St. John’s, NL – Municipalities across our province are facing significant challenges, from aging infrastructure to rising costs and limited resources.
Ahead of the 2025 provincial election, Municipalities Newfoundland and Labrador (MNL) is once again calling on candidates and government to prioritize the resolution of long-standing municipal infrastructure, public safety, and economic development issues.
Drinking water and wastewater infrastructure are of particular concern. There are currently 37 communities that have been under boil water advisories for more than 20 years, with no clear plan from the Province to resolve this problem. There are also 94 municipalities unable to fund much-needed wastewater treatment upgrades.
MNL urges candidates and parties to prioritize a Provincial long-term municipal infrastructure plan. Municipalities are responsible for 60% of infrastructure, but receive only 8 to 12 cents of every tax dollar. Municipalities have neither the capacity nor resources to do this work alone.
Public safety, especially in the context of rising crime rates, also continues to be of concern to municipal leaders. Multiple RCMP positions remain unfilled, leaving gaps in policing coverage; fire departments continue to rely on fundraising to purchase equipment, placing homes and lives at the mercy of goodwill in place of sound provincial policy; gaps in cellular service within municipalities has proven to be a public safety issue in times of emergency, as we have seen during the recent wildfires.
Both Provincial job creation programs and Capital Works programs are well-used by municipalities, but they require reform to meet the needs of our towns. The deadlines and project application requirements do not align with the needs of towns.
As we enter this Provincial election, we ask candidates to remember that municipalities and the Province are partners in progress, as we collectively work to build vibrant, sustainable communities for the good of all Newfoundlanders and Labradorians.
“It is essential that the voices of municipalities are heard during the provincial election. Issues like infrastructure, health and safety, and long-overdue legislative change are not just local matters; they are the foundations of strong, healthy communities. Municipal concerns must be a priority for any incoming government. We look forward to meeting with all parties to ensure our communities have a voice at the table.” – Amy Coady, MNL President
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Media Contact
Tobias Romaniuk
Communications and Marketing Officer, MNL
709-725-1440
tromaniuk@municipalnl.ca
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