Provincial-Territorial Meeting of Ministers responsible for Local Government

REGINA , September 20, 2005 – Provincial and Territorial Ministers Responsible for Local Government considered a number of issues that relate to their common goal of advancing municipal interests. Chief among these was the sustainability of municipal infrastructure. Ministers established a task force to better capitalize on the combined efforts of their governments.

The task force will identify factors that contribute to effective use of infrastructure funding and recommend strategic directions. Among its first priorities will be to work collaboratively on considerations and issues that should be taken into account to evaluate the results of federal gas tax investments. British Columbia and New Brunswick undertook to co-chair the task force in the coming year.

Ministers called upon the federal government to, in consultation with and subject to the prior agreement of provinces and territories:

   
• commit to permanent federal infrastructure funding,
   
• maximize flexibility in the use of federal funding for infrastructure to better meet the diverse needs of municipalities and communities,
   
• ensure that the design of any federal program impacting municipalities and communities is in accordance with provincial and territorial goals and priorities, and
   
• undertake all future federal actions and negotiations in a manner consistent with provincial and territorial principles adopted last year at the Québec conference.

Ministers discussed the progress of provinces’ and territories’ negotiations with the federal government to secure federal gas tax funding for municipalities and communities. Ministers had called on the federal government last year to meet its commitment to provide this funding.

Meeting Chair Len Taylor, Saskatchewan Minister of Government Relations, stated, ”Some jurisdictions are pleased to have concluded agreements; others are still negotiating and more work remains to be done. Ministers want permanent funding to better address the infrastructure challenges faced by all of us. A strong Canada starts with strong communities, municipalities, provinces and territories.”

Ministers recognized that federal funding related to the gas tax transfer is a positive start. At the same time, they emphasized that infrastructure requirements are still extensive and growing and require long term federal funding commitments.

Given provincial and territorial jurisdiction over municipal and local affairs, Ministers will continue to be strong advocates on behalf of municipalities and communities.

Provincial and Territorial Ministers considered several reports relating to community sustainability and steps that their governments could take to help achieve this. In particular, these reports related to the struggles of small, rural, remote and resource dependant communities for survival, as well as municipal finances, economic development and infrastructure. Several Ministers made presentations about current local government initiatives in their jurisdictions. Ministers committed to the following collaborative initiatives arising from this work:

   
• British Columbia will continue to lead a project to develop effective approaches to support rural, resource based and remote communities undergoing transition, and
   
• Alberta will lead a project to improve the identification and analysis of stresses faced by smaller urban and rural municipalities and communities.

The next annual meeting of Ministers will be in the Northwest Territories in August 2006. However, given the pressing infrastructure agenda, Ministers have agreed to meet more frequently, and at least twice a year. Ministers will also invite the federal Minister of State (Infrastructure and Communities) to meet with them prior to any decision by the federal government regarding the purposes of renewed federal infrastructure funding.

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Information:

Bill Carney
Executive Director Communications
Saskatchewan Government Relations
Phone (306) 787-6156
Cell (306) 527-8412