News Release

FREDERICTON (CNB) – Four surveys and three discussion papers have been added to the consultation website for enhancing local governance, giving New Brunswickers another avenue to take part in the consultation process. Local Government Minister Bruce Fitch, who is also minister responsible for Service New Brunswick, announced the additions today.

"The website has information that will help educate New Brunswickers on local governance as it exists today and allows them to provide feedback on how we can improve it," said Fitch. "Our stakeholder sessions have been well attended with more than 350 participants at the first seven sessions. This is encouraging and we expect the last three sessions to be equally well attended with diverse groups providing great feedback on how we can provide better services with a regional delivery approach."

Stakeholder consultations have taken place in Upper Kingsclear, Miramichi, Belledune, Tracadie-Sheila, Apohoqui, St. Stephen, and Rivière-Verte. There are more sessions planned for Rothesay, Irishtown, and Waterville.

"Once we complete our stakeholder sessions, we will start the public sessions," said Fitch. "We are consulting on four areas: municipal funding arrangements, property tax, property assessments, and regional service delivery. I encourage all New Brunswickers to take part in the process by going to our website or by attending one of the 10 public sessions around the province."

The public sessions will include a presentation by the minister and time dedicated to each of the four subjects.

Public meetings:

All the meetings will take place between 6:45 p.m. and 9 p.m.

Campbellton
Monday, April 18,
Campbellton Civic Centre,
44 Salmon Blvd., Campbellton

Robertville
Tuesday, April 19,
Club d'Age d'Or,
2057, Route 322, Robertville

Val-Comeau
Wednesday, April 20,
Val-Comeau Community Centre,
511 Val-Comeau Rd., Val-Comeau

Fredericton
Wednesday, April 27,
Hugh John Flemming Forestry Centre
1350 Regent St., Fredericton

Saint John
Wednesday, May 4,
New Brunswick Community College, Saint John campus,
950 Grandview Ave., Saint John

Bayside
Thursday, May 5,
Bayside Community Centre,
3049, Route 127, Bayside

Riverview
Tuesday, May 10,
Riverview Lions Centre,
701 Coverdale Rd., Riverview

Miramichi
Thursday, May 12,
Chatham Head Recreational Centre,
181 McFarlane Ave., Miramichi

Edmundston
Tuesday, May 17,
Cité des Jeunes A.-M.-Sormany school, auditorium,
300 Martin St., Edmundston

Woodstock
Wednesday, May 18,
Royal Canadian Legion,
109 Carleton St., Woodstock

LINKS:

●    Department of Local Government: www.gnb.ca/localgovernment

●    Public Engagement and Consultations: www.gnb.ca/consultations