Draft Recommendations Released for Consultation

NOTE TO EDITORS: Municipal Affairs Minister Mark Furey and Union of Nova Scotia Municipalities president Dave Corkum, will be available to media in the lobby of the House of Assembly, 1726 Hollis St., Halifax, today, Oct. 15, following question period.

Municipalities and villages have an opportunity to review and comment on draft recommendations in the provincial-municipal fiscal review report.

"This report is about fairness and sustainability of our municipalities and I encourage all municipalities to give it serious consideration and provide feedback," said Dave Corkum, president of the Union of Nova Scotia Municipalities. "In the long run, the recommendations will benefit all municipalities.

"I am confident the good working relationship the minister has established with municipalities will continue and we look forward to further developments in the best interests of all Nova Scotians."

The Fiscal Review Committee looked at all provincial support to Nova Scotia municipalities and made 41 recommendations on how to better meet municipal needs. The recommendations have not been approved by government or the Union of Nova Scotia Municipalities.

"The review of provincial programs and funding has been a collaborative effort," said Municipal Affairs Minister Mark Furey. "We are now looking for feedback from municipalities and villages on the recommendations.

"I appreciate the hard work of provincial and municipal officials on this review, and I am pleased the proposed report is ready for consultation."

Over the next month, committee members will host regional meetings with municipalities and villages to discuss the report and recommendations. They will have until Dec. 15 to provide written comments.

Once input is received, the steering committee will finalize the report and present it to government and the Union of Nova Scotia Municipalities.

The fiscal review was led by a steering committee of elected municipal officials and deputy ministers. A working group of senior municipal and provincial staff supported the committee in its work.

The draft report and recommendations are available at www.unsm.ca .