June 2025
Issued by: Union of Municipalities of New Brunswick (UMNB) and L’Association Francophone des Municipalités du Nouveau-Brunswick (AFMNB)
Background and Context:
Harassment and intimidation of municipal elected officials and staff have become pressing concerns in New Brunswick, reflecting broader national and global trends.
These incidents undermine democratic institutions, deter public participation in local governance, and disproportionately affect women, gender minorities, and other underrepresented groups. Social media platforms have amplified the reach and impact of such behavior, necessitating a strategic, coordinated response.
UMNB and AFMNB, in collaboration with the Government of New Brunswick, are seeking a qualified consultant to develop a comprehensive report and action plan to mitigate and respond to these challenges effectively.
Project Objectives:
- Develop an actionable, evidence-informed strategy to address harassment and intimidation targeting municipal officials and staff.
- Provide clear roles and responsibilities for municipalities, associations, and the provincial government.
- Recommend legislative, regulatory, and policy measures suitable to the New Brunswick context.
- Facilitate awareness, education, and engagement across the municipal sector and public.
Scope of Work:
The successful consultant will:
- Conduct stakeholder engagement with elected officials, municipal staff, local governments, and the provincial government.
- Analyze the impacts and barriers caused by harassment and intimidation, with emphasis on gender and equity considerations.
- Review best practices, programs, and legislative frameworks from other jurisdictions.
- Develop recommendations tailored to the New Brunswick context.
- Define roles and responsibilities for all stakeholders.
- Propose public education and awareness strategies.
- Facilitate a symposium on November 13-14th, 2025.
- Draft and finalize a comprehensive report with actionable steps and strategies in both official languages.
Deliverables and Timeline:
- Awarding of Contract: July 2025
- Engagement Activities: July – September 2025
- Symposium: November 13th – 14th, 2025
- Draft Report Due: Mid-October 2025
- Final Report Due: End of December 2025
Proposal Requirements:
Proposals must include:
- Statement of understanding
- Detailed methodology and work plan
- Budget and fee structure
- Relevant experience and qualifications
- CV(s) of project team
Consultant Qualifications:
- Proven experience in policy development, harassment prevention, and stakeholder engagement.
- Knowledge of municipal governance, especially within New Brunswick
- Experience applying an equity and inclusion lens
- Bilingual capability (English and French)
Budget and Submission Details: Proposals must be submitted by email to dan.murphy@umnb.ca no later than July 17th, 2025. The budget for this project is $37,000 (including HST) as a flat fee.
Contact: For questions or clarifications, please contact: Dan Murphy, Executive Director Union of Municipalities of New Brunswick Email: dan.murphy@umnb.ca
UMNB and AFMNB reserve the right to reject any or all proposals and to negotiate with the successful applicant.