FRANCAIS

April 11, 2006

Aboriginal and Northern Affairs Minister Oscar Lathlin today introduced proposed changes which would modernize and improve the Northern Affairs Act to better reflect current and future needs of Manitobans living in northern communities.

The Northern Affairs Act provides a vehicle for the recognition and administration of communities and unorganized territory in northern Manitoba.

"Times change and so do the challenges and needs of people," said Lathlin. "The new modernized and streamlined legislation will be more user-friendly and will help northern communities move forward more effectively."

The existing act has not been comprehensively reviewed since it came into effect in 1974. The proposed legislation reflects the input gathered through consultation with northern communities.

The proposals reflect many principles found in the Municipal Act including updated accountability and administrative measures. They provide for the community election process to move to a four-year term from three and to be held in October at the same time as elections for municipal councils and school divisions.

The legislation would come into effect Jan. 1, 2007.

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