Videoconference of Provincial and Territorial Ministers Responsible for Local Government

ANNUAL MEETING OF THE PROVINCIAL AND TERRITORIAL MINISTERS RESPONSIBLE FOR LOCAL GOVERNMENT MEETING

June 18, 2021 – On Wednesday, June 16, Provincial and Territorial Ministers Responsible for Local Government met virtually reaffirming their ongoing commitment to support local governments’ recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. A key focus of the meeting was the impacts of COVID-19 on local government financial sustainability. Ministers recognized the outstanding efforts of local governments who work to ensure communities continue to receive the support and services they need.

“The pandemic has placed tremendous pressure on all levels of government, including local governments, who have been critical partners in the success of pandemic response and recovery efforts across Canada,” said Honourable Derek Johnson, Minister of Municipal Relations for Manitoba, and 2019-2021 Chair of the Provincial-Territorial Table of Ministers Responsible for Local Government. “The Table has provided an essential forum for collaboration, and the development of shared strategies and solutions to advance issues of importance to local governments.”

Ministers met with the Honourable Catherine McKenna, Minister of Infrastructure and Communities, the Honourable Ahmed Hussen, Minister of Children and Social Development and Minister responsible for the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC), as well as the Honourable Maryam Monsef, Minister of Women and Gender Equality and Rural Economic Development. Provincial-Territorial Ministers Responsible for Local Government communicated their shared perspectives regarding the challenges local governments are facing, reiterating that federal initiatives must be flexible, adaptable to the needs of local governments of all sizes and in line with provinces and territories’ priorities.

Especially in this time of economic recovery, the Table of Ministers emphasized the importance of increased federal support, particularly in the areas of municipal infrastructure, affordable housing, homelessness support and municipal financial sustainability. Ministers reiterated that such funding must support the priorities and responsibilities of Provinces and Territories. They also reaffirmed the importance of the federal government appropriately collaborating and consulting with provinces and territories on matters of importance to local governments.

Johnson added, “My colleagues and I shared some unique provincial and territorial impacts of COVID-19 and priorities with the federal ministers, and emphasized the need for federal programs and initiatives that are developed and implemented following meaningful provincial-territorial collaboration, noting that there is no one size fits all solution that will work for every jurisdiction.”

Ministers jointly discussed the best ways to emerge from the COVID-19 pandemic with even stronger local governments. Acknowledging their role as true partners, and the contributions of both elected officials and staff, Ministers restated that local governments will be instrumental in the country’s economic recovery going forward.

The next meeting of Ministers responsible for Local Government will take place in June 2022.

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The Province of Manitoba is distributing this news release on behalf of the Provincial and Territorial Ministers Responsible for Local Government.

For more information:

Public information, contact Manitoba Government Inquiry: 1-866-626-4862 or 204-945-3744.

Media requests for general information, contact Communications Services Manitoba: 204-945-3765.

Media requests for ministerial comment, contact Communications and Stakeholder Relations: 204-794-0732.