According to a news release, it was Jan. 1 that the province proclaimed its Towns and Local Service Districts Act — thus replacing its antiquated Municipalities Act, 1999.
Under the new legislation, towns and local service districts (LSDs) are given greater ability to operate and provide services to residents.
“This new modern and enabling legislation reflects the current and evolving nature of towns and local service districts,” states the release.
A separate government webpage describes an LSD as a body of “elected persons” providing “certain services to communities or areas that have similar needs within a community or geographic zone.”
As for towns, the new Act increases their flexibility to generate tax revenue; provides “tools for tax affordability”; reduces red tape and “unnecessary ministerial oversight”; provides “additional tools” for economic development; and gives towns “broad powers for enacting by-laws.”
The Act also “acknowledges the role of [LSDs] in providing services to residents and strengthens their accountability through key areas,” states the release.
The new legislation gives LSDs the power to establish, own and operate recreational facilities; makes it so LSD committee elections are held every four years; and gives LSDs the authority “to request audited financial statements and for all financial documents to be made available for inspection, upon request.”
Municipal and provincial affairs minister John Haggie said the new Act gives local leaders the ability “to better meet the needs and expectations of residents throughout our province.”
“This new legislation will enhance our collective efforts to build stronger, sustainable communities,” said Haggie in a statement.
The release notes that the province’s Department of Municipal and Provincial Affairs has been holding in-person and virtual “training sessions” on the new legislation for various “key stakeholders”, including municipal administrators.
The next session — this one specifically for LSDs — will be held virtually on Jan. 8. See the news release for additional details.
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