Agenda – MNL Conference 2022

We’re pleased to present the 2022 MNL Conference, Trade Show and AGM agenda. Please note, the agenda is still being updated and details may change. A finalized version will be sent to registered delegates prior to the conference.

Wednesday, November 2

Sponsored by the Town of Gander

11:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Pre-Conference Study Tour: Gander Wastewater Facility Tour
Presenter: Town of Gander
Location: Gander Wastewater Facility

Join representatives from the Town of Gander and MNL as they provide a tour of the newly opened Gander Wastewater Treatment Facility. This impressive facility is state of the art and the tour will give you insights on how the community met its federal WSER requirements.

7:30 AM – 8:00 AM
Coffee/Tea Service Sponsored by Steele Hotels
Location: Arts and Culture Centre lobby

8:30 AM – 9:30 AM
PLENARY: GENDER, EQUALITY, AND MALE ALLYSHIP AROUND THE MUNICIPAL TABLE
Presenters: MNL; St. John’s Status of Women’s Council
Location: Arts and Culture Centre Theatre

We’ve been talking a lot about equality, diversity and inclusion in our sector. What do we mean and what are the tools to get us there? Join MNL staff, representatives from the St. John’s Status of Women’s Council and leaders in our sector to talk about how we all support one another toward a better, more equal and inclusive sector. We will discuss male-allyship, introduce gender-based analysis plus, and the importance of informing ourselves about gender-based violence.

9:30 AM – 11:30 AM
WORK INTEGRATED LEARNING AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP INITIATIVE SESSION
Presenters: Ashely Nguyen, CNA; Ian MacDonald, CNA
Location: CNA Gander Campus (Offsite)

This session will feature CNA reps speaking about Work Integrated Learning opportunities as well as the new CNA Entrepreneurship Initiative.

9:30 AM – 10:30 AM
Update to TRIO Benefits Program
Presenters: Tony Pollard and Terry Taylor
Location: Arts and Culture Centre Theatre

Speakers at this session will make comments on the 2023 health care plan renewal rates and what’s likely to happen in the stock market in the near term and the impact on our pension investments.

9:30 AM – 10:00 AM
Transportation: Moving the Conversation Forward
Presenters: Dr. Deatra Walsh, MNL
Location: Gander International Airport

Join us for an update on planning forward to prepare for better public transportation systems and sector readiness.

9:30 AM – 10:30 AM
Newfoundland Power: Electrification, Energy Efficiency and EVs: On the road to the future
Presenter: Krista Langthorne, Director of Customer Relations and Energy Solutions, Newfoundland Power
Location: Quality Hotel

The energy sector in our province is experiencing some of the biggest changes in its history. This, combined with the global pressures to address climate change and create a cleaner energy future, presents unique challenges. But with these challenges comes great opportunity to drive innovation for those who are poised and ready to meet them head-on. Join Krista to hear more and be a part of the conversation that drives the future.

10:00 AM – 10:30 AM
Hospitality and Housing: Finding the Balance
Presenter: Craig Foley, Hospitality NL
Location: Gander International Airport

AirBnB and other short-term rental activity expansion in Newfoundland and Labrador has raised health, safety and provincial hospitality sector reputation concerns, and a call for provincial policy and regulatory leadership. Much has changed since we adopted a resolution at our 2019 AGM calling for the development of a framework to govern Short Term Rentals (STR), especially growing housing availability and affordability challenges. Craig will provide an update from Hospitality Newfoundland and Labrador – our tourism sector partner on this effort.

10:30 AM – 11:30 AM
Nutrition Break and Trade Show – Sponsored by TRIO Benefits
Location: Gander International Airport

11:30 AM – 5:30 PM
Registration
Location: Arts and Culture Centre Lobby

11:30 AM – 12:30 PM
Municipal Assessment Agency Report to Stakeholders
Presenter: Don Hearn, CEO
Location: Arts and Culture Centre Theatre

The Municipal Assessment Agency offers ethical and equitable property assessment services within Newfoundland and Labrador. They are responsible for both residential and commercial property assessments within the province, with the exception of the City of St. John’s.

CEO Don Hearn will deliver the Agency’s Operational Report, followed by a Q&A session.

11:30 AM – 12:30 PM
Telus Business: Bringing Emerging Technologies to our Municipalities
Presenters: Stephane Gravel and Jason Pittman, Telus Business
Location: Gander International Airport

This session will focus on bringing emerging technologies to our municipalities. Artificial Intelligence is changing the game. Are you ready to play?

12:30 PM – 2:00 PM
Delegate Luncheon – Sponsored by Telus Business
Presenter: Walter Yetman, Mayor, Town of Bay Roberts; Peggy Head, Director, Communities in Bloom in NL
Location: Quality Hotel

Growing in Conversation – Communities in Bloom: For the past 27 years, the volunteer and partnership-driven organization Communities in Bloom (CiB) has operated a program designed to support communities to build civic pride, mitigate and adapt to climate change, enhance green spaces and neighbourhood, and bolster community development. Last week, the Town of Bay Roberts won the 2022 CiB national award for its community size category (6,001 – 20,000). Join us to hear from Mayor Walter Yetman on the significance of this award and the process to get there, and learn more from CiB Director Peggy Head about the national program and how to get involved.

2:30 PM – 3:30 PM
PLENARY: Energy Efficiency Retrofits: Closing the Gaps
Presenters: Ashley Smith and Audrey Parnell, Fundamental Inc.; Ian McVey, City of Durham, ON
Location: Arts and Culture Centre Theatre

To address climate change and rising costs, attention must be paid to energy efficiency and building resiliency for homeowners.  This plenary session will discuss the NL specific opportunities at the municipal level for supporting residential energy efficiency upgrades – including available funding, cohort participation, and planned program structures.

3:30 PM – 4:30 PM
Nutrition Break and Trade Show – Sponsored by Municipal Assessment Agency Inc.
Location: Gander International Airport

4:30 PM – 5:40 PM
An Introduction to Gender-Based Analysis Plus
Presenter: Anne Barnes, Women and Gender Equity, Government of NL
Location: Quality Hotel – theatre

This presentation will introduce participants to Gender-Based Analysis Plus and how it can be applied in the municipal sector.

4:30 PM – 5:00 PM
Physician Recruitment
Presenters: Brad Power, MNL Director of Programs; Dr. Jared Butler, Chair of the Shalloway Family Practice Network
Location: Arts and Culture Centre

Join MNL’s Director of Programs, Brad Power, and the Chair of the Shalloway Family Practice Network, Dr. Jared Butler, who will provide updates on work being undertaken to support recruitment and retention of physicians, as well as recommendations on how your municipality can help!

5:00 PM – 6:00 PM
Developing a Provincial Social and Economic Well-Being Plan: Discussing the Role for Municipalities
Presenter: Renee Ryan, Director of Social and Economic Well-Being, Department of Children, Seniors and Social Development, Government of NL

Location: Arts and Culture Centre

This session will include an overview of the Provincial Government’s work on the development of a Social and Economic Well-Being Plan, and will provide an opportunity for discussion of potential partnerships with municipalities. The plan will include a focus on poverty reduction and the social determinants of health.

7:30 PM – 8:30 PM
Opening Ceremonies – Sponsored by Newfoundland Power
Presenters/Greetings: Councillor Amy Coady (President, MNL), The Honourable Krista Lynn Howell, Minister of Municipal and Provincial Affairs (GovNL), Brian Hudson (PMA), Steve Martin (Rec NL), Duane Antle (NLAFS), Heidi Staeben-Simmons (CNA), Gary Murray (NF Power)
Location: Gander International Airport

8:30 PM – 10:30 PM
Trade Show
Location: Gander International Airport

Friday, November 4

presented by Cal LeGrow

7:30 AM
Registration Opens
Location: Arts and Culture Centre Lobby

7:30 AM – 8:00 AM
Coffee/Tea Service, Sponsored by Steele Hotels
Location: Arts and Culture Centre Lobby

8:00 AM – 9:00 AM
MAPA: Code of Conduct
Presenters: Sandy Hounsell and Jacob Kimball, Department of Municipal and Provincial Affairs, Government of NL
Location: Arts and Culture Centre Theatre

Overview of legislation and templates: considerations relating to implementing, understanding, and administering codes of conduct.

8:00 AM – 8:30 AM
The Case for Municipal Management of the Canada Community Building Fund
Presenter: Craig Pollett, MNL
Location: Quality Hotel Theatre

In Ontario and British Columbia, the municipal associations administer the CCBF, formerly the Gas Tax, instead of the provincial government. Is this a model for NL?

8:00 AM – 8:30 AM
Mental Health Task Force: Irrational Thoughts
Presenters: Tina Neary and Gary Summers
Location: Quality Hotel

Join Tina Neary, Chair of the Mental health Task Force, and Hypnotist Gary Summers, as they discuss irrational thoughts and how to address them. This session will address issues like expectations, wants versus needs, hopelessness versus helplessness, etc.

8:30 AM – 9:00 AM
Women’s Caucus Meeting
Presenter: Councillor Tina Neary, Caucus Chair
Location: Quality Hotel Theatre

8:30 AM – 9:00 AM
Meteorological Service of Canada: Coastal Flooding
Presenters: Devon Telford and David Neil, Meteorological Service of Canada
Location: Gander International Airport

Devon Telford and David Neil will provide an update on an initiative to improve communications and forecasting for coastal flooding during major storms.

8:30 AM – 9:00 AM
Policing in NL
Presenter: Superintendant Pat Cahill, RCMP
Location: Quality Hotel

Hear from RCMP Superintendent Pat Cahill on current issues in policing in this province and plans for the future. This presentation will be followed by a Q/A session.

9:00 AM – 9:45 AM
PLENARY: Regional Economic Development Taskforce: Building Our Future Together
Presenters: Craig Pollett, MNL; Roseanne Leonard, NL Association of CBDCs; Mark Whiffen, CBDC Central
Location: Arts and Culture Centre Theatre

An exciting new partnership between MNL and the NL Association of CBDCs to support our members’ efforts to build sustainable regional economies. Download the task force report here.

9:45 AM – 10:00 AM
PLENARY: Premier’s Address
Presenter: The Honourable Andrew Furey, Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador
Location: Arts and Culture Centre Theatre

10:00AM – 11:00 AM
Nutrition Break & Trade Show sponsored by Canoe Procurement Canada
Location: Gander International Airport

11:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Building Connections: Settling Newcomers throughout Newfoundland and Labrador
Presenters: Filiz Conway and Michael Robinson, Department of Immigration & Population Growth
Location: Arts and Culture Centre Theatre

Immigration, Population Growth and Skills Office of Immigration and Multiculturalism will deliver a one-hour presentation and Q&A session on provincial immigration pathways, the role of immigration in economic development and how we can build welcoming communities.

11:00 AM – 11:30 AM
Helping Communities Build Better Assets: dependbuild’s solution to transforming municipal infrastructure development
Presenters: Conor O’Brien and Tom Cooper
Location: Gander International Airport

Conor O’Brien and Tom Cooper will provide an overview of how dependbuild, a new cloud-based software they’re developing with MNL, will create a standardized approach that will help level the playing field between municipalities, infrastructure providers, and other stakeholders. dependbuild works with asset management and other data as a tool to build knowledge, align strategic planning and risk management at the municipal level with the value that stakeholders and citizens place on the functionality and reliability of their public infrastructure.

11:00 AM – 11:30 AM
Youth Caucus
Presenter: Councillor Lynn Ellsworth, Youth Caucus Chair
Location: Quality Hotel Theatre

11:30 AM – 12:00 PM
Requirements for Recycling Used Oil Products in Newfoundland and Labrador
Presenter: Mona Rossiter, Atlantic Used Oil Management Association
Location: Gander International Airport

What you need to know about recycling used oil products in the province. Regulations require that used oil, used oil filters, used glycol/antifreeze, oil and glycol containers, and used lubricant aerosol containers must be diverted from landfills and recycled. Learn how your municipality and the businesses and households in your community can participate.

11:30AM – 12:30 PM
Indigenous Meet-up
Presenter: Francis Skeard, Glenwood Ward Councilor, Qalipu First Nation
Location: Quality Hotel Theatre

Do you identify as Indigenous? MNL invites all Indigenous-identifying in-person attendees – be you an elected official or municipal/ICG staff member – to take this time to gather.

12:00 PM – 12:30 PM
Stewart McKelvey: Planning, Environmental Issues and Liability in the wake of Annapolis Group v. Halifax
Presenter: Stephen Penney and Joe Thorne of Stewart McKelvey
Location: Gander International Airport

Join Stephen Penney and Joe Thorne from Stewart McKelvey as they provide delegates with information of planning, environmental issues and liability in the wake of Annapolis Group v Halifax/ On October 21, 2022, the Supreme Court of Canada released a new decision on “constructive taking”, which may have significant implications for municipalities in the context of planning and zoning.

12:00 PM – 12:30 PM
Health Canada: Radon, a radioactive gas in your community
Presenter: Roshini Kassie, Radon Specialist with Health Canada
Location: Arts and Culture Centre Theatre

Roshini Kassie, Radon Specialist with Health Canada, will provide an overview of radon, a radioactive gas that comes from the soil, which could affect you and your family. She will also share some resources for municipalities to help you understand why it’s important to incorporate radon action into your policies.

12:30 PM – 2:00 PM
Luncheon sponsored by Stewart McKelvey
Presenters: Mayor Percy Farwell, Gander
Location: Quality Hotel

2:30 PM – 3:30 PM
PLENARY: Fiona, Forest Fires and Our Climate-Changed Future
Presenters: Cllr. Amy Coady, Moderator; Mayor Brian Button, Channel-Port aux Basques; Mayor Barry Manuel & Municipal Enforcement Chief Rus Thibault, Grand Falls-Windsor; and Mark Murphy, Director, Business Development, Ocean, Coastal and River Engineering Research Centre (OCRE), National Research Council Canada.
Location: Arts and Culture Centre Theatre

Two months. Two States of Emergency declared. Two very different situations. Newfoundland and Labrador has just witnessed two dramatic demonstrations of predicted impacts from ongoing climate change. Hear about what happened, some early lessons learned from the people on the inside of the immediate community response, as well as work being undertaken to better support emergency planning and risk mitigation.

3:30 PM – 4:30 PM
Trade Show and Prize Draws – Sponsored by Provincial Airlines
Location: Gander International Airport

4:30 PM – 6:00 PM
Free Time

6:00 PM – 6:30 PM
Doors Open for Cash Bar/Social
Location: Quality Hotel

6:30 PM – 10:00 PM
Appreciation Banquet sponsored by Department of Municipal and Provincial Affairs
Keynote address by The Honourable Krista Lynn Howell, Minister of Municipal and Provincial Affairs
Location: Quality Hotel

Presentation of Long Service Awards

10:00 PM – 1:30 AM
Social Event sponsored by Johnson Insurance
Live band: Bic & The Ballpoints
Location: Quality Hotel

Saturday, November 5

presented by Eastern Audio

7:30 AM – 8:30 AM
Coffee/Tea Service, Sponsored by Steele Hotels
Location: Arts and Culture Centre Lobby

8:00 AM – 10:00 AM
Annual General Meeting
Chair: Councillor Amy Coady, MNL President
Location: Arts and Culture Centre Theatre

10:00 AM – 10:15 AM
Nutrition Break Sponsored by Steele Hotels
Location: Arts and Culture Centre Lobby

10:15 AM – 11:15 AM
Urban Municipalities Caucus
Presenter: Mayor Craig Scott, UMC Chair
Location: Quality Hotel

10:15 AM – 11:15 AM
Small Towns Caucus
Presenter: Councillor Lynn Ellsworth, Small Towns Caucus Chair
Location: Arts and Culture Centre Theatre

11:15 AM – 12:00 PM
PLENARY | THIS IS NOT A DRILL: The Future of Municipal Government in NL
Presenters: Craig Pollett and Dr. Deatra Walsh, MNL
Location: Arts and Culture Centre Theatre

Municipalities are the front line of government – providing most of the essential services people rely on in their daily lives. But the provincial and federal governments rely on us to deliver their programs and policies as well. It’s time to examine that relationship and forge a new path forward.

12:30 PM
Announcement of the Board of Directors Election Results and Closing Remarks
Presenter: Councillor Amy Coady
Location: Arts and Culture Centre Theatre