City Pleased Municipal/Provincial Fiscal Relationship Discussions Underway

The City of St. John’s is pleased that discussions towards a new fiscal relationship with the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador are now underway.

“The City initially tabled its position paper ‘Towards A Balanced Provincial-Municipal Fiscal Relationship and Municipal Sustainability’, in September, 2011,” says Mayor Dennis O’Keefe. “Since that time dialogue between municipalities, Municipalities Newfoundland and Labrador and the provincial government has focused on developing a framework and terms of references to guide future discussions. The direct involvement of Municipal Affairs Minister Kevin O’Brien has been instrumental in reaching a consensus on how to move this initiative forward.”

Ward 1 Councillor Danny Breen, Chair of the Finance and Administration Standing Committee, noted that all of the issues advanced in the City’s 2011 position paper have been included in the terms of reference for further discussion. 

“We are very pleased that issues such as HST rebate for municipalities, remission of payroll tax and property tax on provincial buildings to name a few are all up for discussion as we work jointly towards a new fiscal relationship,” says Councillor Breen. “This is a very important step towards developing a plan to ensure the long-term fiscal sustainability of not just St. John’s, but municipalities across the province.”

Other issues identified in the terms of reference include:

• Service delivery efficiency;
• Regional collaboration;
• Own source revenue potential; and
• Legislative frameworks.

“This is not just about addressing the concerns of St. John’s and other major urban centers,” says Mayor O’Keefe.  “Issues which impact municipalities of all sizes will be discussed and Municipalities Newfoundland and Labrador has been, and will continue to play, a prominent role throughout the process.”

 
For further information:
Jennifer Mills
Communications Officer
City of St. John's
Phone: (709) 570-2037
Cell: (709) 690-7586
E-mail: jmills@stjohns.ca

Dennis O’Keefe
Mayor
City of St. John’s
Phone: (709) 576-8477
E-mail: dokeefe@stjohns.ca

Danny Breen
Chair, Finance and Administration Standing Committee
Ward 1 Councillor
City of St. John’s
Phone: (709) 576-2332
E-mail: dbreen@stjohns.ca