Published: March 18, 2022 @ 4:00 p.m.
On behalf of the Transition Facilitator for Entity 51
In November 2021, the Province of New Brunswick released a White Paper on Local Governance Reform. As a result of the modernization of New Brunswick’s local governance system, the neighbouring communities of Grand Bay-Westfield and a portion (55%) of the Local Service District (LSD) of Westfield West will be amalgamated. Until a community name is determined, these communities are known as Entity 51.
Entity 51 is a temporary name assigned by the Province. Determining a name for the governing body (or local government) of Entity 51 is mandated by Province with their support as part of Local Governance Reform. There are many stages to Local Governance Reform, the naming process is one of these stages.
At a meeting on February 4, 2022 the Transition Committee was given the mandate by the Province to choose a permanent name for Entity 51. The Committee agreed to option number 2 listed below.
Options Available:
1. The Transition Committee determine a name on everyone’s behalf which could include Grand Bay-Westfield. (Should the Transition Committee not reach consensus, then the Transition Facilitator would determine the name.)
2. The Transition Committee engage the community to determine the name of Entity 51.
The naming process is to determine a name for the governing body (or local government) of Entity 51 only, which will include the communities of Grand Bay-Westfield, Nerepis and the properties along Campbell Road.
Determining a name for Entity 51 is choosing a name for the governing body (or local government) of the new amalgamated entity. While there will be a new governing body (or local government), the communities of Entity 51 will retain their identities and their local history will be maintained. Grand Bay-Westfield, Nerepis and the properties along Campbell Road will continue to be the names of those respective communities. Civic and mailing addresses will not change for businesses, residents, or for identification such as Driver’s Licences and Medicare. What will change is the local governing body (or local government) name.
Town of Grand Bay-Westfield Council, as it is today, will end its term of office on December 31, 2022. Council will then begin a new term of office until 2026, joined by a Ward Councillor representing the residents of Nerepis and the properties along Campbell Road. The Province will announce election details at a later date. This new local governing body (or local government) will provide governance services to Grand Bay-Westfield, Nerepis and the properties along Campbell Road.
The Province appreciates the patience of residents within the boundaries of Entity 51 as Local Governance Reform is a complex endeavour.
Bill Thompson
Transition Facilitator, Entity 51
