Municipal Leaders From 120+ Communities Gather to Discuss the Future of Local Government This Week in Gander

For Immediate Release
Nov. 2, 2022

The 72nd Municipalities Newfoundland and Labrador annual general meeting and conference is happening this week in Gander, NL.

This year’s theme is Building Connections. More than 300 municipal leaders and administrative staff from across the province will gather to celebrate successes within the municipal sector, network, and discuss, in more than 30 sessions, a wide range of topics concerning municipalities. MNL will once again welcome Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador, the Honourable Andrew Furey; Minister of Municipal and Provincial Affairs, the Honourable Krista Lynn Howell; and Federal Minister of Rural Economic Development, the Honourable Gudie Hutchings to the event.

Building diversity around the council table while creating an atmosphere of equality, respect and acceptance is one of MNL’s advocacy priorities. Building connections between diverse populations requires understanding various perspectives. The plenary session Gender, Equality and Male Allyship Around the Municipal Table on Thursday morning, November 3, will tackle these important issues, while also discussing gender-based violence.

Recent weather events – floods, wildfires, and storms – have had a wide-ranging impact on municipalities. We have several sessions addressing climate change and climate resilience, including a presentation from the Meteorological Service of Canada on an initiative to improve communications and forecasting for coastal flooding during major storms.

During the Friday, Nov. 4 plenary session titled Fiona, Forest Fires and Our Climate-Changed Future, delegates will hear of early lessons learned from the municipal leaders who experienced recent climate emergencies first-hand.

The future of our communities will also be a topic of discussion throughout the conference, with sessions on rural economic development, policing, and physician recruitment.

On Nov. 2, The Leadership Summit for women and gender-diverse individuals in the municipal sector will celebrate the launch of MNL and Make Your Mark’s new project, The Value We Bring. This project is a partnership between MNL and Equal Voice NL brought to life – and screen – by Atlantic Storytellers. It is funded by the Federation of Canadian Municipalities and the Department of Municipal and Provincial Affairs.

“There are so many important issues facing the municipal sector. This year’s MNL conference is an opportunity to build connections between issues and solutions, to connect with each other as a sector, and to celebrate the success and hard work of municipal leaders. We’re pleased to provide a space for these important conversations and for connections to happen.” – Amy Coady, MNL President.

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MNL wishes to thank the many sponsors that have made this event possible through in-kind and financial contributions.

Media Contact:

Tobias Romaniuk
Communications and Marketing Officer
Cell: 709-725-1440
email: tromaniuk@municipalnl.ca