Communities across Prince Edward Island will benefit from the development of a municipal educational toolkit thanks to an investment from the governments of Canada and Prince Edward Island.

The Federation of Prince Edward Island Municipalities received funding from the Canada – Prince Edward Island Gas Tax Fund Agreement for the development of a toolkit to support the province’s municipalities. The different tools will facilitate cooperative service delivery to residents and contribute to stronger partnerships between municipalities.

The tools and resources developed through this project include model bylaws, policies and agreements; a model code of conduct and a toolkit for municipal cooperation and restructuring. Other resources relate to the roles and responsibilities of elected and appointed officials, conflict resolution, rules of order, guidance on running effective meetings, as well as administrative functions and responsibilities. All of the resources will be available to municipalities online. The total cost of this initiative is $240,197.

“The Government of Canada is pleased to contribute to this initiative from the Federation of Prince Edward Island Municipalities,” said the Honourable Gail Shea, Minister of Fisheries and Oceans. “Good governance practices will lead to opportunities and partnerships that can only add to the prosperity of our cities and towns.”

“This toolkit will allow our Island municipalities to take a lead role in ensuring their continued vitality for years to come,” said Prince Edward Island’s Finance and Municipal Affairs Minister, Wes Sheridan. “The ability to access this information online will greatly help with the day-to-day operations of our communities and assist them with future planning needs.”

According to Bruce MacDougall, FPEIM President, the new tools, resources and training opportunities will build municipal capacity and foster collaboration. “I’m grateful to the Governments of Canada and Prince Edward Island for partnering with us,” he said. “The Gas Tax Fund is a tremendous program, and this initiative is merely one example of how it’s providing lasting benefits.”

The Gas Tax Fund provides support for infrastructure investments and capacity-building efforts to help local governments to achieve and maintain long-term sustainability. As of April 2009, the federal Gas Tax Fund has been increased to $2 billion per year. From 2005 to 2014, Prince Edward Island will receive more than $97.5 million in federal support for infrastructure under the federal Gas Tax Fund. The Government of Canada has announced that the Gas Tax Fund would become a permanent measure at $2 billion per year after 2014.

For more information on federal infrastructure investments, visit www.creatingjobs.gc.ca

For more information on infrastructure program in Prince Edward Island, visit www.gov.pe.ca/go/infrastructure