The following statement was read in the House of Assembly today by the Honourable John Haggie, Minister of Municipal and Provincial Affairs:

Speaker, I stand today to congratulate two of the province’s municipal associations on successful annual fall events.

In October, the Professional Municipal Administrators had their Fall Training Forum in Corner Brook and last week, Municipalities Newfoundland and Labrador held their Conference, Trade Show and Annual General Meeting, in my beautiful home district of Gander.

Each event allowed for municipal councillors, administrators, and partners, including departmental staff, to discuss the challenges municipalities face and the opportunities to help municipalities build vibrant, sustainable communities.

Our government will continue to ensure municipal leaders have the supports needed to help their communities and residents thrive.

I was pleased to participate in each event and to present municipal leaders with long service awards for service spanning 12 to 62 years.

I was honoured to meet many of these award recipients, including 92-year-old Mayor John Hamlyn, who has been serving as the mayor of Crow Head for an impressive 62 years.

Speaker, I ask my honourable colleagues to join me in congratulating the recipients of this year’s long service awards and recognizing Professional Municipal Administrators and Municipalities Newfoundland and Labrador for their considerable efforts which made this year’s annual fall events a great success.

Thank you.