Following the AGM, MNL developed an overview booklet summarizing all seven resolutions passed by members. This booklet has been used as a key advocacy tool to clearly communicate municipal priorities and areas of concern to our provincial government.
Formal correspondence was sent to the Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador; the Minister of Municipal and Community Affairs; the Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure; and the Minister of Justice and Public Safety. These letters highlighted the resolutions, emphasized their importance to municipalities across the province, and requested meetings to discuss next steps and opportunities for collaboration.
We are pleased to report that we have since met with Minister of Municipal and Community Affairs Chris Tibbs and with Premier Wakeham. These meetings were positive and constructive, with confirmation that many issues raised through the resolutions are top of mind for government. We were encouraged to hear that several resolutions align closely with government priorities and ongoing work.
We continue to hear from both the Minister and the Premier that many of the resolutions align with their key objectives, especially regarding reducing red tape and ensuring municipalities are heard on the issues that directly affect their ability to serve residents effectively.
MNL, the Department of Municipal and Community Affairs, and Professional Municipal Administrators (PMA) have initiated a working group to further advance discussions related to Code of Conduct and harassment in the municipal sector. As part of this work, MNL has developed a pamphlet on harassment, which outlines proposed legislative changes, policy considerations, and additional supports we believe are necessary to better protect councils and staff.
Advocating on behalf of our members remains at the core of MNL’s work. We will continue to advance these resolutions, keep you informed of progress, and seek meaningful outcomes that strengthen municipalities and communities across Newfoundland and Labrador.
Thank you for your continued engagement and support.
Resolutions submitted by the Board of Directors and member municipalities at the Municipalities Newfoundland and Labrador (MNL) Annual General Meeting have been a core component of MNL’s advocacy work since the first meeting in 1951.
The MNL Advocacy Committee is responsible for reviewing each resolution, determining whether the issue is municipal in nature, and recommending how MNL can best lobby for the issues identified or otherwise contribute to their resolution.
MNL is currently accepting resolutions for consideration at the 2026 MNL Annual General Meeting. To submit a resolution, email MNL Director of Advocacy Alexis Foster: afoster[at]municipalnl.ca.
Before submitting a resolution, please review the Guidelines to Drafting Resolutions and the Tips for Writing Resolutions.
MNL has instituted a Resolutions Classification system that allows each resolution to be assessed and given one of three priority levels. These levels help the Advocacy Committee and Board determine which resolutions are most important and require more attention. All adopted resolutions are also assigned to at least one of MNL’s Standing or Ad Hoc Committees to follow-up and monitor as appropriate through the year.
Core Municipal Issues
These are resolutions that are the direct responsibility of, or directly affect municipal councils and where municipalities play a clear leadership role. These resolutions, if approved, will be aggressively researched and pursued by the MNL Advocacy Committee as priorities, and the findings communicated back to the membership.
Example of a Category A Resolution: Resolution seeking legislative measures to allow for the more effective collection of the poll tax. Tax collection is an essential component to local government, and therefore, it is a category “A” resolution.
Issues not within Municipal Jurisdiction
These resolutions are those that are not a direct municipal responsibility, but which have some impact on municipalities. In general, these are matters where municipalities would be a key partner to actions led by another party. Adopted Category B resolutions will be dealt with by an appropriate level of committee research and monitoring, a letter outlining our position on the resolution, and ongoing engagement with the partner organization(s).
Example of a Category B Resolution: A resolution lobbying for the paving of the Trans-Labrador highway. This is an important issue for municipalities in Labrador, as it improves healthcare, communications, and economic development. Nonetheless, municipalities have no direct control over such transportation issues.
Non-Municipal Issue
These are resolutions which fall outside of municipal responsibilities, but which broadly address campaigns led or positions held by other organizations that the membership is prepared to express solidarity with. If adopted, the matter would be monitored by a Standing and Ad Hoc Committee and the membership’s support for the issue noted in news releases and letters as appropriate. It would not receive significant additional resources.
Example of a Category C Resolution: Mandatory winter tires for all vehicles driven in the winter in the province. This may be an example of an important idea; however, it has no direct impact on the municipal sector and is beyond a municipality’s jurisdiction.