CONSULTATIONS ON PROPOSED LEGISLATION FOR TOWNS, VILLAGES AND R.M.'s

The provincial government will be holding public consultations during the second week of February regarding possible changes to the draft Municipalities Act.

Consultations will be held in the cities of Weyburn and Humboldt and the towns of Aberdeen and Wilkie.

"The feedback we receive from municipalities and members of the public at these consultations will help us fine-tune this important legislation for consideration during the upcoming spring session of the Legislative Assembly," Government Relations Minister Len Taylor said.

The Municipalities Act is intended to consolidate the existing Rural and Urban Municipality Acts, as well as update, standardize and modernize their provisions.

The new legislation will advance and strengthen urban and rural municipalities and to create opportunities for more effective local government.

The province is working toward January 1st, 2006 as the proclamation date of The Municipalities Act, and has been working with the municipal sector to develop a training and education program to assist municipal officials in the transition to the new legislation.

The current draft legislation has been posted on the Government Relations website at the following URL:
http://www.municipal.gov.sk.ca/pdf/gapmr/BILL-81.pdf

Exact dates, times and locations of the consultations are as follows:

Weyburn – Wednesday, February 9th, 2005, 9:00-11:00 a.m., Royal Canadian Legion Auditorium

Aberdeen – Thursday, February 10th, 2005, 9:00-11:00 a.m., Aberdeen Community Hall

Wilkie – Thursday February 10th, 3:00-5:00 p.m., Wilkie Community Centre/Dance Hall

Humboldt – Saturday, February 12th, 1:00-3:00 p.m., Humboldt Uniplex.

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For More Information, Contact:

Cathy Gourlie Government Relations Regina Phone: (306)787-2687 Cell: (306)529-8631