News Release Archive
MUNICIPAL AFFAIRS--REGIONAL MUNICIPALITIES BILL INTRODUCED
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Nova Scotia municipalities who are considering amalgamation
will soon have a legislative framework in place. Municipal
Affairs Minister Sandy Jolly introduced a Regional
Municipalities Bill in the Legislature today.
"This new legislation will be used only when requested by
municipalities," said the minister. "It's voluntary. It's
there when they choose to use it."
The Regional Municipalities Bill is made up of two
divisions. The first contains definitions, a description on
how the regional legislation is activated, and an outline of
the rules to change municipal units to regional
municipalities.
The second division contains provisions dealing with the
organization, powers and responsibilities of a regional
municipality. The majority of what is contained in this bill
is taken from the Halifax Regional Municipality Act.
The minister outlined the process for future amalgamations.
First, she said, there must be a study requested by one or
more councils in a county. Second, there must be a request
for regional government by a majority of the municipal
units. The power to establish a regional municipality cannot
be exercised unless the majority of the councils in a
particular county request it.
"The province believes that municipalities have the
interests of their communities at heart," the minister said.
"They will move to regional government when it is shown to
be advantageous."
The minister noted that studies have been requested, and are
about to be undertaken, in Cumberland and Pictou Counties.
Colchester municipal units have undertaken their own study.
A regional government will not be established in any of
these counties unless requested, she said.
"Our goal is to create strong local governments that meet
the needs of today's taxpayers in terms of their structure
and their ability to pay, their ability to plan, and deliver
services in the best way possible," the minister said.
The minister reiterated the benefits in amalgamation. Those
benefits include less government, streamlined service
delivery and more focused decisions.
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Contact: Michelle Whelan 902-424-6336
trp Oct. 26, 1995