UNSM, local govt. reps welcome new municipal affairs department Eric Bourque Vanguard news The president of the Union of Nova Scotia Municipalities says the province’s decision to establish a stand-alone municipal affairs department is a good move and comes at just the right time, given the issues and challenges facing municipal units. Representatives of municipal governments in the Yarmouth area also welcome the new department, which is scheduled to be in place April 1. “This is something we asked for in our pre-election letter to the parties,” said David Corkum, the UNSM president and mayor of Kentville, adding that he was pleased to see the new government follow through quickly by announcing the new department. “This clearly demonstrates their willingness and commitment to address municipal concerns in a serious manner.” Some of those concerns, the UNSM says, stem from economic and demographic forces that, along with increasing regulatory requirements, are making it difficult for municipalities. “It’s tough, for small towns especially,” Corkum said. Springhill has been in the news after its council passed a motion to dissolve its status as a town and Corkum says there are other towns “we certainly have some concerns about.” In a media release issued in response to the province’s announcement of the new municipal affairs department, the UNSM cited the commission on the economy chaired by Ray Ivany, which called for governments and communities to work together. Having a department focusing on municipal affairs is a positive step in this regard, the union says, an assessment shared by local municipal leaders. “It’s very welcome news and I commend the province for a bold move that will bring the provincial-municipal relationship even closer,” said Yarmouth Mayor Pam Mood. “If we’re going to turn this province around, both municipalities and the province will have to make bold, forward-thinking decisions and a close, easily-accessible working relationship is imperative.” Steve Paquette, deputy warden of the Municipality of Yarmouth, said the announcement of a municipal affairs department is “encouraging, for sure.” That Dan McDougall – a former chief administrative officer in Colchester – will be deputy minister of the new department also is good news, Paquette said, given McDougall’s experience in municipal government. “What I hope is achieved through this is an increase in effective collaboration between the provincial government and municipal units,” Paquette said. Argyle Warden Aldric d’Entremont offered a similar view, saying municipal units will benefit from having a department in the provincial government focusing on their issues. Some of those issues are big, he said. “Especially right now, with places like Springhill and this stuff,” he said. “There are going to be some major changes in the next few years probably.” According to the province’s March 7 announcement of its intention to make municipal affairs its own department – part of a series of departmental realignments – Mark Furey, currently minister of Service Nova Scotia and Municipal Relations, will remain minister of Municipal Affairs and Service Nova Scotia, with McDougall becoming deputy minister of municipal affairs. Municipal units have a lot on the go right now, Corkum said, and the timing of the province’s announcement couldn’t have been any better. The UNSM is working with the province on various files – including the Towns Task Force and reviews of the Municipal Government Act and Municipal Elections Act – and these will have an impact on municipalities, the union says. As the UNSM put it, “Having a stand-alone department dedicated to municipal affairs will undoubtedly create a more efficient and smoother transition process to complete these initiatives.” Like others, Mayor Mood said she is glad to see the province taking action in this way. “This is one more step on the path to ensuring we’re all taking ownership and working things out together,” she said. “We look forward to working with Premier McNeil, Minister Furey and the municipal affairs team.”
Posted on: Wed, 12 Mar 2014 15:39:28 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015