Minister Clarifies Roads Issue

Reports from the annual conference of the Union of Nova Scotia Municipalities have incorrectly suggested that the provincial government is planning to shift responsibility for local roads to municipalities. The suggestion came on Thursday, Sept. 21, during a presentation on the Municipal-Provincial Roles and Responsibilities Review, a process that involves equal numbers of representatives of the two levels of government.

"This joint recommendation is not provincial policy and is certainly not a download from the provincial government," said Angus MacIsaac, Minister of Municipal Affairs. "The suggestion comes from a committee that has as many municipal representatives as provincial members. It is just one of many ideas that have been put out for discussion."

The roles and responsibilities review has been examining areas in which responsibilities might be shifted between municipal and provincial levels of government to the benefit of both. The discussions have been underway for about two years and have covered about 70 issues, many of which have been approved by a steering committee and are ready for implementation.

"Looking at the transfer of roads in isolation of other proposals doesn't make any sense," said Mr. MacIsaac. "There are lots of suggestions that would see major expenses move from municipalities to the provincial government. The roles and responsibilities review is very much a work in progress."

The review involves representatives from many provincial departments and municipalities across the province. A steering committee, which reviewed the report that was presented to the conference, is composed of the vice-president, secretary and past president of the Union of Nova Scotia Municipalities, as well as the provincial ministers of Education, Justice and Transportation and Public Works. The committee is co-chaired by the president of the Union of Nova Scotia Municipalities and the minister of Municipal Affairs.

"We are a long way from a final decision and there will be lots of opportunity for consultation along the way," said Mr. MacIsaac.