When the province of New Brunswick hosted a training session for municipal leaders in Saint John this past June, key local figures were missing. The mayor and all six councillors from nearby Grand Bay Westfield could not attend.

The province announced the two day in person event at the Saint John Trade and Convention Centre months after the town had already scheduled its own orientation.

“The province booked their training the same weekend,” says Grand Bay Westfield Mayor Brittany Merrifield. Merrifield also serves as president of the Union of Municipalities of New Brunswick. “We chose to attend our own because it had already been set up and we had expended some resources to make sure that it was going to happen.”

This scheduling conflict highlights a broader issue reported by CBC News. Local government groups and the Local Governance Commission are renewing their calls for mandatory training and dedicated expert support for municipalities across the province.

Financial Barriers for Smaller Communities

While offering provincial training is a good start, the in person format creates unequal access for the nearly 600 mayors and councillors in New Brunswick.

“We have communities that cannot afford lawn mowers or snow blowers,” Merrifield says. “It would be a real stretch for them to send an entire council to another municipality to stay for two or three days.”

The Local Governance Commission echoes this criticism in its latest annual report. The commission asked the province to implement mandatory training for local officials for the second time. Proper training prevents conflicts that have previously led to disbanded councils and provincial takeovers.

Last year, the province rejected the mandatory training proposal and opted for the optional Saint John session instead. The commission notes this choice fails to provide all local government leaders with equal and consistent access to necessary information. The lack of a virtual alternative contradicts earlier provincial promises to reduce attendance barriers.

Provincial spokesperson Bruce Macfarlane says about 550 elected officials and municipal staff attended the June sessions. The department is reviewing the commission report and plans to host more sessions this fall.

Complex Legislation Requires Expert Support

Municipalities also need better access to ongoing legal and administrative support. The Local Governance Commission recommends the Department of Local Government provide a specific, no cost source of support for interpreting the Local Governance Act and the Regional Services Delivery Act.

The Union of Municipalities agrees completely.

“These are complex pieces of legislation,” Merrifield says. She notes that many small municipalities lack in house legal counsel. “Again, it is a capacity and a resourcing issue.”

Union executive director Dan Murphy says his organization has seen a 40 percent increase in municipalities asking for advice over the past year.

“We provide support where we can, but at the end of the day, it really is that formal role that we think government needs to play,” Murphy says.

Currently, newly elected officials rely heavily on informal mentoring from experienced peers. While helpful, Murphy insists that getting information directly from the people who write the legislation remains the gold standard.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why are New Brunswick municipalities asking for mandatory training?

Mandatory training ensures all local officials receive consistent information. This education prevents administrative conflicts that have previously caused councils to disband.

Why did some councils miss the recent provincial training in Saint John?

Some councils had already scheduled their own orientation sessions. Others lack the financial resources to send their entire staff to another city for multiple days.

What kind of ongoing support do local governments need?

Municipalities need free, direct access to provincial experts who can help them interpret complex laws like the Local Governance Act. Many small towns cannot afford to hire their own lawyers for this task.