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Amendments to municipal act,
2001 PROCLAIMED - Jan. 4, 2007
New Era Begins For Ontario Municipalities
TORONTO — The McGuinty government today announced the proclaiming of
amendments to the Municipal Act, 2001, which will provide local
governments with new broad powers and significant legislative freedoms.
“I’m proud to be part of a government that recognizes that municipal
governments are in the best position to address local challenges. We’ve
given municipalities new tools to improve the lives of their citizens
and to promote economic development in their communities,” said Carol
Mitchell , MPP for Huron-Bruce.
The Municipal Statute Law Amendment Act, 2006 recognizes municipalities
as responsible, accountable governments. The broader powers enable
municipalities to better determine the appropriate mechanisms for
delivering municipal services to their communities.
“Today is a milestone for Ontario municipalities,” said Municipal
Affairs and Housing Minister John Gerretsen. “Through this legislation,
the McGuinty government and our municipal partners are beginning a new
era in which local governments across Ontario have new powers and more
autonomy reflective of their status as mature, responsible governments.”
Municipal governments now have broader powers to pass bylaws ranging
from local governance structure to the economic, social and
environmental well-being of their communities to the protection of
persons and property, including consumer protection.
“The Municipal Statute Law Amendment Act, 2006 is a noteworthy and
welcomed piece of legislation,” said Doug Reycraft, President of the
Association of Municipalities of Ontario. “It encompasses a new
accountability framework that sees the end to the one-size-fits-all,
over-legislating and over-regulating provincial approach that has
hindered municipal governments in the past.”
The act ensures that local councils are accountable to the public and
that the processes for making decisions are transparent. Municipalities
can now have a more effective accountability regime with the authority
to establish an integrity commissioner, ombudsman, auditor general and
lobbyist registrar.
Contact:
Carol Mitchell, MPP
Huron-Bruce
519 482-5630
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