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Provincial Election

Municipalities Matter in the upcoming New Brunswick Election

New Brunswick is one of the best places in the world to live, work and raise a family. More than 840,000 people now call New Brunswick home and understand that it’s our communities that make our province so special. Our cities, towns, villages, and rural communities are responsible for most aspects of our quality of life – yet the importance of municipalities has continued to be overlooked by successive provincial governments.

Today, municipalities in our province are responsible for the things that matter most in our daily lives: water, roads, waste collection, police and fire, regional economic development and tourism and more. Despite managing the most important services to residents, they continue to be underfunded and undervalued.

That’s why the Union of Municipalities of New Brunswick (UMNB) is calling on all candidates and political parties in the upcoming provincial election to strengthen the places we call home by making a commitment to working in partnership with municipalities.

For New Brunswick to achieve the vision of vibrant and sustainable communities, the UMNB is asking each candidate and party to respect the authority and autonomy of municipalities, and commit to:

COLLABORATION WITH MUNICIPALITIES

Create a stronger and more unified provincial-municipal partnership that meets collective growth objectives, empowers municipalities, and achieves the goal of municipal reform to build strong and vibrant communities.

FISCAL REFORM

Complete the work of municipal reform in New Brunswick by fulfilling the commitment to a new fiscal framework.

PROGRESS ON HOUSING AND INFRASTRUCTURE

Collaborate with municipalities to address housing affordability, building the right kind of housing supply to support population growth, and taking action on shared goals to end chronic homelessness.

Establish a distinct Urban Housing Strategy for New Brunswick’s largest urban centers that partners with city governments to support growth and affordable housing targets and adequately addresses challenges related to homelessness.

A NEW MODEL FOR POLICE SERVICES

Conduct a comprehensive provincial policing review in consultation with municipalities, with a fair funding model to ensure appropriate community presence and visibility.

As a New Brunswick taxpayer, this matters to you more than you may know. If we had a more balanced funding model that recognized the role and responsibilities of municipalities, your property taxes wouldn’t have gone up as much in the past five years.

What Can You Do As A Voter?

If the issues outlined above matter to you as a taxpayer and citizen in New Brunswick, let your local candidates know. When they come to your door or solicit your input, ask them about their commitments to:

  • a new fiscal framework for municipalities,
  • better partnerships with municipalities
  • including municipalities at the decision-making table on key issues like housing and policing

Share this guide with your friends and neighbours so they can understand what municipalities are asking for on behalf of their residents.

Why It Matters?

By recognizing how important our municipalities are, we can stop putting all the cost burdens on New Brunswick property owners and renters. We can begin looking at more equitable ways of delivering the services you deserve. By focusing on priorities, we can begin to address the most pressing issues within your community in a smart and affordable way.

For more information on the issues and why it’s important to you as a New Brunswicker, download the UMNB Municipal Election Voters Guide

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