1997 Conference of Provincial-Territorial Ministers responsible for Local Government

ST. JOHN'S, Newfoundland - Provincial and Territorial Ministers responsible for Local Government concluded a meeting in St. John's, Newfoundland today. All provinces and territories were represented and the meeting was chaired by the Honourable Art Reid Newfoundland's Minister of Municipal and Provincial Affairs.

The Ministers meet annually to share ideas and address matters of common interest.

The Ministers discussed various on-going public policy initiatives connected with managing change in local government and preparing for the new millennium.

In the new age of empowerment, some jurisdictions are initiating significant reform to their legislative regimes to give local government greater freedom, flexibility and autonomy to more effectively manage their own affairs. The scope of local government responsibility is being broadened considerably and the role of local government is being enhanced. This new realignment of provincial-territorial-municipal responsibilities is allowing provincial and territorial governments to focus on issues such as policy development and regulatory enforcement to guide the direction of local government in their respective jurisdictions while allowing municipalities to make their own decisions.

Some provinces have undertaken or proposed municipal government restructuring initiatives including community consolidations and regionalization. Ontario, Quebec and New Brunswick are currently involved in major restructuring initiatives through a process of community consolidation while the province of Newfoundland is currently examining a regional approach to the delivery of municipal services. The Northwest Territories also shared information on its community empowerment initiative which is based on a community development approach. Most of these initiatives are designed to reduce duplication and overlap, cut red tape and allow for a more efficient delivery of municipal services.

The Ministers emphasized a renewed commitment to the constructive and meaningful consultation with municipalities on these issues and stated that the public interest will best be served by an effective partnership that includes working together to achieve common goals.

Ministers registered their support for a new and more flexible long-term municipal infrastructure agreement that would focus on strategic infrastructure and long term growth and stability. It should be flexible enough to allow federal, provincial and territorial governments to partner with each other, with municipalities and the private sector. As well, Ministers stressed that special consideration should be given to the needs of remote regions in developing funding arrangements for a highway system to provide access for tourism and economic development.

The Ministers also discussed the status of the federal government's efforts to transfer administrative responsibility for social housing to the provinces. Ministers with responsibility for housing as well as municipal affairs agreed that discussions should take place between the provinces and federal government for the transfer of CMHC (Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation) responsibilities to the provinces as housing is under their jurisdiction. To date four jurisdictions — Newfoundland, Saskatchewan, New Brunswick and the Northwest Territories — have signed agreements to transfer the administration of the existing social housing stock from the federal government. Other provinces including Quebec are currently negotiating with the federal government.

The conference participants shared their experiences on the establishment in some provinces of a permanent voters list for common use with municipalities designed to generate savings. Quebec introduced a permanent voters list for referendums, provincial elections, municipal elections, school boards and it plans to continue to maintain its responsibility in this matter.

The Ministers are scheduled to meet again in Alberta in 1998.

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For further information, contact:

Gary Callahan
Government of Newfoundland and Labrador
(709) 729-3142