News release

Province Looks Forward to UNSM

Service Nova Scotia and Municipal Relations (Oct. 2000 - March 2014)

SERVICE N.S./MUNICIPAL RELATIONS--Province Looks Forward to UNSM Proposal


Service Nova Scotia and Municipal Relations Minister Angus MacIsaac says he is looking forward to receiving a new proposal on Provincial-Municipal Fiscal Exchange from the Union of Nova Scotia Municipalities (UNSM).

The UNSM’s decision to develop the proposal was discussed during a recent meeting between the minister and UNSM president Anna Allen. The decision follows a consultation on the province’s fiscal exchange proposal advanced in late February. Mr. MacIsaac recently agreed to extend the consultation period for 90 days at the UNSM’s request.

"This consultation has confirmed that there is universal support for the principle of equalization in Nova Scotia," said Mr. MacIsaac. "There is now much better recognition of the difficulties that some of our municipalities are having providing their citizens with basic services. I’m really pleased to see the UNSM assume some leadership in this issue and I look forward to receiving the proposal."

Government continues to seek a cost-neutral solution in dealing with a number of outstanding provincial-municipal issues, including equalization. Mr. MacIsaac said this must be the result of any alternative proposal that comes forward.

"The proposal that came forward last February was a very good starting point," said UNSM president Anna Allen. "But I’m confident that we can improve it, and address the challenges that came out of the first phase of the consultation." The UNSM executive will decide the next step in its consultation process at a meeting this Thursday, April 19.

"We’ve heard from every municipality and had some excellent suggestions," added Mr. MacIsaac. "I’m determined, and I believe the UNSM is determined, to see this fiscal exchange, including a new equalization program -- whatever its detail -- take effect on April 1, 2002." The province provided official notice of the change in a letter to the UNSM, in keeping with government’s commitment to providing one year notice on provincial-municipal agreements that involve a financial impact.