PRESS RELEASE: UMNB & AFMNB partner to host Municipal Forum

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

July 25 2024

Fredericton, N.B. – The Union of Municipalities of New Brunswick (UMNB) and l’Association Francophone des Municipalités du Nouveau-Brunswick (AFMNB) are collaborating to host a leaders forum focused on municipal priorities on Thursday, September 19th from 6:30 – 8:00 pm at the École Sainte-Anne theater in Fredericton. This forum will provide an opportunity for the provincial political party leaders to share their vision and priorities for municipalities in the next mandate. Over 400 municipal officials from across the province will gather to hear directly from the candidates vying to be the next premier of New Brunswick. 

“The role of municipalities in this province cannot be understanded” said Andrew Black, President of UMNB. “Municipalities matter and when our communities are strong, we enable the province to meet its growth targets. If funded adequately we are the best partner to assist the province in meeting its overall objectives. This is forum is an important opportunity for the leaders to engage our community leaders”

Municipalities are increasingly concerned about meeting the growing financial challenges in our province. A report commissioned by the Government of New Brunswick points out that one third of local government entities could face deficits within the next two years. The leaders’ forum will be an opportunity to hear how the parties plan to address the pressing issues facing municipalities in our province such as a new municipal fiscal framework, infrastructure development and renewal, housing and homelessness, and much more. 

“Our collective members are looking for commitments from the parties to complete municipal reform,” said Yvon Godin, President of the AFMNB. “There’s a misconception that municipal reform is done because the structure of local government was changed. A lot of work remains to be done as municipal reform will remain incomplete until fiscal reform is completed”. 

An invitation was issued last month to the leaders of political parties with seats in the legislature. This includes the Progressive Conservative Party, the Liberal Party, and the Green Party. David Coon and Susan Holt have confirmed their participation in the municipal forum. 

About UMNB

The Union of Municipalities of New Brunswick (UMNB) is a bilingual association of fifty-six local governments of all sizes, representing almost 80% of New Brunswick’s population. Together, our members tackle local challenges and share solutions to make life better for their citizens.

About AFMNB

The AFMNB brings together 30 francophone and bilingual municipalities in six major regions stretching from the northwest to the southeast of the province. Our member municipalities represent close to 389,000 people, or nearly half of New Brunswick’s population.

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