Meeting of Provincial-Territorial Ministers Responsible for Local Government

St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador, June 27, 2024 - Provincial and Territorial Ministers Responsible for Local Government considered a number of issues. Ministers reaffirmed their commitment to working together to advance priorities related to local governments and share best practices.

“I was pleased to welcome Ministers responsible for Local Government to Newfoundland and Labrador,” said Dr. John Haggie, Newfoundland and Labrador’s Minister of Municipal and Provincial Affairs and 2023-24 Chair of the Provincial-Territorial Table of Ministers for Local Government. “This year’s annual meeting provided ample opportunity to work together to learn more about shared priorities and the actions we are taking to advance those priorities.”

Provincial and Territorial Ministers invited the Honourable Sean Fraser, Minister of Housing, Infrastructure and Communities of Canada for a brief discussion about the continued need for increased meaningful engagement by the federal government with provinces and territories during the development of new programs. They conveyed that infrastructure is a priority for all jurisdictions and reiterated the need for predictable and flexible federal infrastructure funding that complements and aligns with provincial and territorial investments and priorities, including economic growth, affordable housing, climate resiliency, as well as community safety and well-being.

Ministers also discussed land use planning, financial and fiscal tools to support growth and talked about new innovative legal provisions introduced by some provincial governments. Ministers also discussed lessons learned with respect to bilateral infrastructure agreements.

“As provincial and territorial ministers, we remain committed to strengthening our municipalities, and working with the federal government to ensure required resources are available to address challenges municipalities are facing,” said Minister Haggie.

The Table of Ministers Responsible for Local Government approved the priorities for the year ahead on infrastructure funding, addressing sustainable growth, as well as governance and capacity building. Working groups will develop work plans that identify strategic outcomes and report back to the table.

The Ministers agreed on the importance of constructive, cooperative provincial, territorial and local government relationships and the need to share information and ideas on key issues relating to local governments and communities across Canada.

The next annual meeting of Ministers Responsible for Local Government will be held in New Brunswick in 2025.

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