POLICY MONITOR CANADA » Local Government

Saskatchewan to Amend Local Government Election Act

Admin — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 23:21:04 +0000

February 2, 2010 – GOVERNMENT TO INTRODUCE LEGISLATION TO EXTEND MUNICIPAL TERMS TO FOUR YEARS FROM THREE

Municipal Affairs Minister Jeremy Harrison today announced plans to lengthen the term of office for urban, northern municipal and school board officials.

Amendments to The Local Government Election Act will be introduced in the fall of 2010 and will lengthen the term of office from three years to four in the 2012 municipal and school board elections.

“We have consulted with various stakeholders and feel this is an innovative way of helping municipal officials,” Harrison said. “Taxpayers will benefit from cost savings from holding fewer elections and there will now be longer periods for municipal councils to plan and implement programs and longer term goals.”

The Saskatchewan Urban Municipalities Association (SUMA) convention passed a resolution in 2008 to extend the term of office from three to four years. The Ministry of Municipal Affairs consulted with the education sector as school board elections are held concurrent with municipal elections.

The move would not affect rural municipalities. Rural municipalities prefer the two-year term of office under which they currently operate, but do not object to a four year term for other local governments.

The move would see Saskatchewan join seven other provinces which have four year terms (New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Newfoundland and Labrador, Prince Edward Island, Quebec, Ontario and Manitoba). British Columbia and Alberta have three year terms, as well at the Yukon. The Northwest Territories and Nunavut have two-year or three-year terms dependant on the size of the community.

Report of the Commission on Land and Local Governance: PEI

Admin — Fri, 08 Jan 2010 04:28:47 +0000

New Foundations – Report of the Commission on Land and Local Governance

The Commission on Land and Local Governance is pleased to present its final report, the result of twelve months of consultations, research and analysis. The report is accessible on-line through this website and can be obtained in printed form in English and French from the Provincial Government publication centre on the ground floor of the Jones Building, 11 Kent street, Charlottetown, or at Access PEI Offices in Tignish, Alberton, O’Leary, Wellington, Summerside, Charlottetown, Montague and Souris.

The final report contains the findings and recommendations of the Commission as well as an action plan. Appendices provide additional information on the work of the Commission as well as a detailed analysis of the recommendations of the 1973 and 1990 Royal Commissions and the 1997 Round Table on Land Use.

The Commission welcomes comments on the report, and these may be forwarded to the Commissioner at the following email address:

landandlocalgovernance@gov.pe.ca

Nova Scotia Consultation on Drinking Water Standards and Guidelines

Admin — Tue, 05 Jan 2010 23:32:04 +0000

Consultation Sought on Nova Scotia’s Drinking Water Standards and Guidelines

Municipalities and businesses have an opportunity to comment on Nova Scotia’s strengthened drinking water standards and guidelines.

Improvements to the Municipal Water Approvals Protocols will reflect changes to the Health Canada drinking water guidelines and new treatment technologies.

“These updates will bring Nova Scotia’s water treatment standards in line with national guidelines,” said Environment Minister Sterling Belliveau. “We are continuously working to improve our treatment process to ensure it meets the highest standards.”

Nova Scotia’s Guidelines for Monitoring Public Drinking Water Supplies are also being improved.

“Nova Scotia’s drinking water is safe. Meeting new guidelines will ensure that it remains that way,” said Mr. Belliveau. “The province’s municipal drinking water is tested regularly. These guidelines simply raise the standard for Nova Scotians.”

Municipalities and businesses affected by the changes have until March 31 to comment on the proposals. Information on the consultation process, and the proposed guideline updates, are available at www.gov.ns.ca/nse/water/.

NWT Proposed Amendments to Exemptions Act

Admin — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 21:25:08 +0000

The Department of Justice is proposing to amend the Exemptions Act. The proposed amendments would increase the exemption amounts for categories of property under the Act, and revise the categories and descriptions of property that are exempt from seizure.

A creditor who has a judgment or order against a debtor has the ability to seize that debtor’s property as payment for the outstanding debt. There are, however, limits on the types of property that a creditor can seize as part of the enforcement process. Some categories of property are entirely exempt from seizure by a creditor. Other categories of property are exempt up to a certain value or amount (termed “exemption amount”).

The Exemptions Act defines categories of exempted property and exemption amounts for the NWT. The Exemptions Act was originally enacted in 1948, and the amounts exempt from seizure have remained unchanged despite over 60 years of inflation. This means that exemption amounts contained in the Act are now outdated and need to be amended to reflect current monetary and property values.

Currently, the Act does not provide the necessary protections for debtors when enforcement actions are brought against them on behalf of creditors exercising their entitlement to receive payment. A balance needs to be struck to ensure maximum relief for creditors while providing the necessary protection against undue hardship on debtors and their dependents.

You will note that there are changes to the categories of property that contain exemptions. The Act contains a number of antiquated provisions relating to categories of exempt property. Some of the exemptions are for categories of property that have little relevance for most NWT residents. For example, the Act provides an exemption amount for “livestock, fowl, bees, books, tools, implements and other chattels.” There are also categories of exempt property common in other provincial/territorial exemptions legislation that are not covered in the Act, including provisions relating to motor vehicles, medical health aids, and property traditionally used in hunting or fishing for food. Revisions to the categories of exempt property are necessary to better reflect the types of property owned by residents of the NWT.

You will also note the changes to the exemption amounts for property under the Act. For example, the Act currently provides that a maximum of $600 in “personal property necessary to earn a living” is exempt from seizure. The comparable “personal property” category in Alberta has an exemption amount of $10,000.

The suggested new exemption amounts for certain categories of property are based on the cost of living differential between Alberta and the Northwest Territories. For other categories of property, reasonable base exemption amounts from other jurisdictions have served as a starting point in determining the exemption amount.

For more information, or to submit comments, please contact Mike Reddy, Senior Policy Analyst. He can also be reached by calling 867-920-3362. We would appreciate any general or specific comments you may have regarding the proposed amendments to the Exemptions Act by Friday, January 22, 2010.

Proposed Bill
Proposed Regulations
Current Exemptions Act

This page last updated: December 2009

BC PROPOSED UPDATES TO FIRE CODE

Admin — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 06:21:21 +0000

VICTORIA – Proposed updates to the B.C. Fire Code to make smoke alarms mandatory for all private dwellings, including those built before 1979 are now available online for public input.

Smoke alarms can be purchased for as little as $13 each. The Province worked with the Office of the Fire Commissioner and B.C. fire services organizations to develop the following proposals:

o Expand the mandatory requirement for smoke alarms to all homes and hotel/motel rooms, including those constructed before 1979. Since November 1979, the B.C. Building Code has required smoke alarms. Smoke alarms are cost-effective devices that can alert occupants of fire at its early stages, which saves lives and prevents injuries.

Permit battery-operated smoke alarms in limited circumstances, including dwellings built before 1979 and buildings not connected to electrical power. The significant cost of installing smoke alarms integrated with a building’s electrical system is likely to discourage their installation in older buildings. Compliance would be difficult to monitor and occupants may continue to be at greater risk if battery operated smoke alarms are not permitted in these circumstances.

More information is available at www.housing.gov.bc.ca/building. The deadline for public input is December 15, 2009.

Québec waste management policy

Admin — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 00:12:31 +0000

Québec waste management policy and first five-year action plan

Among the series of measures that will be implemented in the context of the action plan, some will play a decisive role, notably application of the extended producer responsibility (EPR) approach for electronic products, mercury lamps and batteries and the implementation of a biogas and composting infrastructure program.

The policy and the 2010-2015 action plan will undergo public consultation for a 90-day period. All information on the subject and the texts of draft regulations are available on the MDDEP website: http://www.mddep.gouv.qc.ca/matieres/pgmr/index.htm
Press release (in French only)

Biogas and composting facilities (in French only)

Quebec Creates northern partner issue tables

Admin — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 22:27:43 +0000

Partners united for Northern Plan

Québec, November 6, 2009 – Nathalie Normandeau, Deputy Premier, Minister of Natural Resources and Wildlife, and Minister responsible for the Northern Plan, and Pierre Corbeil, Minister responsible for Aboriginal Affairs, today announced the creation of two northern partner issue tables. These tables will bring together a number of actors directly affected by the Northern Plan. With them, the government will deploy a broad cooperative approach that will lay the foundation for a new partnership with northern communities.

An initial issue table will consist of representatives from the municipal sector, aboriginal communities, economic and environmental spheres, and the education and research communities, as well as from the ministries and agencies affected by this extensive project. These partners will identify work methods, set economic and social priorities, and seek to ensure that the communities adopt a shared vision. The second issue table will focus specifically on aboriginal matters and will consist of four separate sections, one per nation.

“Our government wants to create new economic spaces, and the Northern Plan is part of this effort. This pioneering sustainable development project will promote energy, forest, mining, tourism, and wildlife development supported by transportation and communication infrastructures. This approach will benefit northern communities by creating a respectful, attentive, and open environment,” said the minister.

The Northern Plan will apply to an area north of 49^th parallel, including Nunavik, James Bay, the northern portion of

Lac-Saint-Jean, and much of the Côte-Nord region. It covers 72% of Québec’s area, or 1.1 million square kilometers, and includes 1.6% of Québec’s total population.

“This important project is a major one, and we will ensure it is successful by working together and respecting each community living on this vast territory. The North we’re talking about belongs first and foremost to its residents. The Northern Plan will reflect the culture and identity of northern communities,” explained minister Pierre Corbeil.

“Our proposed partnership with the communities will be inclusive and will show how much our government cares about northern development. Together, we will create new opportunities for younger generations and the future of Québec,” concluded the minister.

Northern Partners

Yukon Solid Waste Action Plan Released

Admin — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 01:44:11 +0000

Solid Waste Action Plan Released
November 5, 2009

WHITEHORSE – A new action plan that outlines a vision for a modern sustainable waste management system suited to Yukon’s climate was tabled today by Community Services Minister Archie Lang.

“The Yukon government is serious about creating a sustainable waste management system and will take measures to address both the current and future needs of all communities,” Lang said. “The Solid Waste Action Plan sets out how we can improve our infrastructure and services and take advantage of new opportunities for sustainable waste management.”

One of the first changes the public will notice is the creation of transfer stations in Tagish and Carcross, and enhanced services at the Deep Creek transfer station. About $500,000 has been budgeted for this and other work to take place from now until March 31, 2011.

The Yukon government will establish a Solid Waste Advisory Committee to provide a forum for waste management issues for municipalities, First Nations, industry, stakeholders, NGOs, youth and certain territorial departments.

The Yukon Solid Waste Action Plan is available online at www.community.gov.yk.ca.

Ontario Solid Waste Consultations

Admin — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 16:06:31 +0000

Tackling Ontario’s Waste

McGuinty Government Seeks Input On Proposed Approach

The province is looking for public input on its proposed new approach to keeping more waste out of landfills.

The proposed approach, which will help Ontario businesses and residents move to a green economy, includes:

Making product manufacturers and importers responsible for the recycling of their products and packaging – and giving them the flexibility to do so in a way that best suits their business
Diverting more waste from landfill by giving Ontarians more opportunities to recycle a wider range of materials
Encouraging more diversion through incentives and banning specific materials from landfills.

These ideas came out of the government’s consultation on how to improve the province’s Waste Diversion Act. The responses form part of a report titled From Waste to Worth: The Role of Waste Diversion in the Green Economy. The report also includes other proposals to improve Ontario’s waste diversion efforts.

The report is posted on the Environmental Registry under number 010-8164. The deadline for comments is January 11, 2010. The Ministry of the Environment will also be undertaking consultations on the report. Further details on these consultations will be posted on the Environmental Registry.

Ontario Proposed Good Government Act

Admin — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 02:30:16 +0000

Proposed Good Government Act – Legislation the government has introduced would amend the Municipal Elections Act, the City of Toronto Act and the Municipal Act, among other legislation.

Modernizing Provincial Laws
Backgrounder: Reforming Municipal Elections in Ontario
Municipal Elections Act Review
Backgrounder: Proposed Municipal Reforms
City of Toronto Act, 2006
Streamlining Building Permit Approval and Protecting Homebuyers