N.B. municipalities slam Tory bill to amend, repeal municipal bylaws
Criticism is growing against a proposed bill which would allow the New Brunswick government to amend and repeal municipal bylaws.
Section 20 of the Local Governance Act has gained attention for its emphasis on provincial powers to amend or repeal municipal bylaws when “in the public interest.”
Fredericton Mayor Kate Rogers said Bill 45 needed more clarification from the provincial government.
“It’s broad enough that it could potentially, very much undermine the political autonomy and political authority of municipal councils,” said Rogers in an interview on Wednesday. “That is very concerning.”
Local Government Minister Daniel Allain was not made available for an interview on Wednesday. In a written statement, Allain said provincial authority over amending or repealing municipal bylaws would be a “backstop” to stop “unintended consequences,” adding it would be used by the province as a “last resort.”
Allain’s statement on Wednesday also referred to “councils that made or were planning to make decisions that could hamper jobs, the economy and people’s way of life,” without elaborating on specifics.
Fredericton’s mayor said the provincial government didn’t offer details about Bill 45 before introducing it on May 9. The bill passed its second reading on May 17. The Liberal government said it had more questions about the bill at that time, while Green Party leader David Coon said he wouldn’t be supporting it as currently written.
The Union of Municipalities of New Brunswick, the Association Francophone des Municipalités du Nouveau-Brunswick, and the Cities of New Brunswick Association issued a joint statement this week asking for changes to Bill 45 by third reading, specifically around municipal bylaws.
“It challenges the very nature of local government reform, which was about empowering municipalities to take on more. This seems to be contrary to that objective,” said Dan Murphy, executive director of the Union of Municipalities of New Brunswick, in an interview on Wednesday.
Murphy said other parts of Bill 45 were positive and expected, but that language around amending and repealing municipal bylaws came as a surprise.
“It’s not something we anticipated being in the bill. There are other things in the bill we certainly support; around code of conduct and around conflict of interest. Those are good things to clarify. But we didn’t anticipate this level of authority from the minister to amend or repeal bylaws.”
Minister Allain said he would answer questions about Bill 45 at a legislative committee meeting on Friday.
For more New Brunswick news visit our dedicated provincial page.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Canada Post strike: Union 'extremely disappointed' in latest offer, negotiator says
A negotiator for the Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW) says the latest offer from Canada Post to end the ongoing strike shows the carrier is moving in the "opposite direction."
Canada's air force took video of object shot down over Yukon, updated image released
The Canadian military has released more details and an updated image of the unidentified object shot down over Canada's Yukon territory in February 2023.
Invasive species could be hiding in your Christmas decor. Here's how to stop the spread
Make sure to look through your holiday decorations, as Christmas trees, wreaths, and other natural decor can have invasive insects, eggs, and plants that pose a threat to local ecosystems and the economy.
Sask. doctor facing professional charges in circumcision case
A Saskatoon doctor has been accused of unprofessional conduct following a high-cost adult circumcision that included a request for the patient to text unsecured post-op pictures of his genitals.
Notre Dame reopens its doors to Macron and other world leaders in a rare symbol of unity
France's iconic Notre Dame Cathedral is formally reopening its doors on Saturday for the first time since a devastating fire nearly destroyed the 861-year-old landmark in 2019.
'Shameful': Monument honouring fallen soldiers included names of living veterans
Veterans are asking for answers after discovering that two sculptures in Ontario honouring fallen soldiers include the names of many people who are very much alive.
Man arrested after 16-hour standoff with Barrie police seeks to be released from custody
The 43-year-old man taken to hospital in distress following a 16-hour armed standoff with Barrie police last month is seeking bail.
Northern Ontario man sentenced for killing his dog
WARNING: This article contains graphic details of animal abuse which may be upsetting to some readers. A 40-year-old northern Ontario man is avoiding prison after pleading guilty to killing his dog earlier this year.
Calgary company steps up to help grieving family with free furnace after fatal carbon monoxide poisoning
A Calgary furnace company stepped up big time Friday to help a Calgary family grieving the loss of a loved one.