Sharing services

Municipalities can decide to team up to provide services: Mitchell

Neighbouring municipalities in P.E.I. may find some benefits of working together without having to amalgamate, says the minister of communities, land and environment. During Tuesday’s question period, Robert Mitchell said municipalities are being encouraged to share services under the new Municipal Government Act (MGA). Mitchell was responding to Tignish-Palmer Road MLA Hal Perry, who said municipal leaders in his area were concerned with some aspects of the act, specifically pointing to a requirement of providing a municipal office that would be open for 20 hours a week. “Would you entertain the request to relax requirements of having a municipal office accessible to all members of the public for a minimum of 20 hours per week,” asked Perry.

Mitchell said having an office space will be a requirement, although he noted that some municipalities may choose to share those services.

“(We’ve been) talking with municipalities to say who could you share services with and identify existing municipalities around them that may have parts or pieces they can work collectively on,” said Mitchell. “The 20 hours of service could be provided by a neighbouring community.”

Mitchell noted the act went without being updated for more than 30 years. The new act has already been passed in the legislature and is expected to be proclaimed by the end of this year.

It will then be phased into effect.

Perry said some municipal leaders felt the act was forcing them to amalgamate, while also sharing concerns over another requirement for municipalities to hold all-day elections.

“Is this set in stone or is there some possibility that could be changed,” asked Perry.

Mitchell said there is no intention of forcing amalgamation but encouraged communities to discuss the option with neighbouring areas. Mitchell said there would only be a need for an all-day election if seats were being contested.

“We do have to remind ourselves that some of the small municipalities within the past have had councils decided by acclamation. That will probably continue in the future,” he said.

Mitchell said those with concerns could reach out to himself or the department.