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Regional Governance: The Key To Municipal Renewal

Regional Governance: The Key To Municipal Renewal

For Immediate Release
Feb. 2, 2022

St. John’s, NL – Today’s release of the Joint Working Group Report and Recommendations on Regionalization by the Department of Municipal and Provincial Affairs marks a significant step toward renewing the municipal sector in Newfoundland and Labrador.

As an organization that has been advocating for regionalization since 2005, Municipalities Newfoundland and Labrador (MNL) is pleased to see what is possible when members have a seat at decision-making tables on important issues.

MNL acknowledges that municipalities across the province face challenges. These challenges can be addressed through enhancing capacity, supporting compliance, and encouraging collaboration. The report speaks to this and provides a framework for achieving regional government at a time when it is needed.

MNL supports the principles of local governance, as laid out in the report. These include:

  • The provision of good local government for all residents
  • Better and more efficient local services
  • More transparent and accountable local governments
  • Greater cooperation
  • Equitable taxation
  • Achieving regional economic development potential
  • Enhanced municipal administration
  • Integrated planning approach

The report proposes a multi-year phased approach to regionalization that is appropriately resourced and prioritizes working with local communities. MNL will continue to be involved in this process as part of a proposed transitional team.

“The process toward regionalization in our province needs to be flexible and locally driven. We want to strengthen our sector and we want to do it together. We look forward to continuing our work on this important issue in collaboration with our members, the Professional Municipal Administrators and the Department of Municipal and Provincial Affairs. Regionalization is the most viable path toward municipal renewal. ” – MNL President Amy Coady

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Background:

The working group is 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.

Link to Joint Working Group on Regionalization Report and Recommendations

Media Contact:

Tobias Romaniuk
Communications and Marketing Officer, MNL
709 725 1440
tromaniuk@municipalnl.ca