Entity 51

Please see below for Entity 51 news, information, and FAQs.

The Naming Committee affirms “GRAND BAY-WESTFIELD” as the recommended name for the governing body of Entity 51. For details, visit here.

Keep up-to-date with Entity 51 news and information

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 two communities are known as Entity 51.

The Town of Grand Bay-Westfield and a portion of the LSD of Westfield West recognize the importance of keeping residents informed. This page will be updated as information becomes available.

The Province has assigned a facilitator to guide the two communities through the process. A Transition Committee has been established and is comprised of:

Bill Thompson, Transition Facilitator (Government of New Brunswick appointed)
Brittany Merrifield, Mayor for Grand Bay-Westfield
Erin M. Toole, Deputy Mayor for Grand Bay-Westfield
Louis Gigou, LSD of Westfield West

History of boundary changes (select map to see full size)

Public Notices

September 20, 2022 – Virtual information sessions for Grand Bay-Westfield Ward 2 local government by-election candidates. For details, visit here.

May 25, 2022 – Proposed entity names reflect strong ties to nature and history. For details, visit the GNB news release here.

May 4, 2022 – The Naming Committee affirms “GRAND BAY-WESTFIELD” as the recommended name for the governing body of Entity 51. For details, visit here.

May 2, 2022 – Voting results for the naming of Entity 51 to be announced at a Naming Committee meeting on Wednesday, May 4, 2022. For the notice, visit here.

April 12, 2022 – Voting details for the naming of Entity 51. For the notice, visit here.

April 7, 2022 – Naming Committee recommends consultation process for ceremonial Indigenous name. For the notice, visit here.

April 6, 2022 – The Naming Committee of Entity 51 determines names to be included on voting ballot. For the notice, visit here.

April 5, 2022 – A Naming Committee of Entity 51 Meeting will be held on Wednesday, April 6, 2022 at 6:00 p.m. The meeting can be viewed lived on the Town’s YouTube channel by visiting here.

March 29, 2022 – The Naming Committee of Entity 51 extends appreciation for your submissions of name ideas for Entity 51. For the notice, visit here.

March 28, 2022 – A message from the Entity 51 Transition Facilitator regarding the Naming Committee meeting of March 24, 2022. For the notice, visit here.

March 23, 2022 – A Naming Committee of Entity 51 Meeting was held on Thursday, March 24, 2022 at 7:00 p.m. The meeting can be viewed live on the Town’s YouTube channel by visiting here.

March 18, 2022 – A message from the Entity 51 Transition Facilitator to clarify Local Governance Reform information. For the notice, visit here.

March 14, 2022 – Infrastructure funding for 14 projects in southwestern New Brunswick. For the Government of New Brunswick news release, visit here.

March 9, 2022 – The Naming Committee of Entity 51 wants to hear from you – Submit your name ideas for Entity 51. For the notice, visit here.

March 2, 2022 – A Naming Committee of Entity 51 Meeting was held on Wednesday, March 2, 2022 at 6:00 p.m. The meeting can be viewed live on the Town’s YouTube channel by visiting here. Draft minutes of meeting are available here. The PowerPoint presentation is available here.

March 1, 2022 – Naming Committee Members of Entity 51 Appointed. For the notice, visit here.

February 24, 2022 – Entity 51 website launched. For the notice, visit here.

February 17, 2022 – Town Council and Local Service District (LSD) Transition Committee Representatives approve naming process of Entity 51. For the notice including a recording of the Council meeting on the Town’s YouTube channel, visit here.

Naming Process (select chart to see full image)

May 25, 2022 – Proposed entity names reflect strong ties to nature and history. For details, visit the GNB news release here.

May 4, 2022 – The Naming Committee affirms “GRAND BAY-WESTFIELD” as the recommended name for the governing body of Entity 51. For details, visit here.

May 2, 2022 – Voting results for the naming of Entity 51 to be announced at a Naming Committee meeting on Wednesday, May 4, 2022. For the notice, visit here.

April 12, 2022 – Voting details for the naming of Entity 51. For the notice, visit here.

April 7, 2022 – Naming Committee recommends consultation process for ceremonial Indigenous name. For the notice, visit here.

April 6, 2022 – The Naming Committee of Entity 51 determines names to be included on voting ballot. For the notice visit here.

April 5, 2022 – A Naming Committee of Entity 51 Meeting will be held on Wednesday, April 6, 2022 at 6:00 p.m. The meeting can be viewed lived on the Town’s YouTube channel by visiting here.

March 29, 2022 – The Naming Committee of Entity 51 extends appreciation for your submissions of name ideas for Entity 51. For the notice, visit here.

March 28, 2022 – A message from the Entity 51 Transition Facilitator regarding the Naming Committee meeting of March 24, 2022. For the notice, visit here.

March 23, 2022 – A Naming Committee of Entity 51 Meeting was held on Thursday, March 24, 2022 at 7:00 p.m. The meeting can be viewed lived on the Town’s YouTube channel by visiting here.

March 18, 2022 – A message from the Entity 51 Transition Facilitator to clarify Local Governance Reform information. For the notice, visit here.

March 9, 2022 – The Naming Committee of Entity 51 wants to hear from you – Submit your name ideas for Entity 51. For the notice, visit here.

March 2, 2022 – A Naming Committee of Entity 51 Meeting was held on Wednesday, March 2, 2022 at 6:00 p.m. The meeting can be viewed live on the Town’s YouTube channel by visiting here. Draft minutes of meeting are available here. The PowerPoint presentation is available here.

The Naming Committee of Entity 51 is comprised of:

Erika Kelly, Grand Bay-Westfield
Jon Taylor, Grand Bay-Westfield
Rob Wilson, Grand Bay-Westfield
Keri Burpee, LSD of Westfield West
Robert Donner, LSD of Westfield West
Mayor Brittany Merrifield, Grand Bay-Westfield (Transition Committee)
Deputy Mayor Erin M. Toole, Grand Bay-Westfield (Transition Committee)
Louis Gigou, LSD of Westfield West (Transition Committee)

Residents, businesses and organizations within the boundaries of Entity 51 have the opportunity to participate in this democratic decision-making process.

Guiding Principles for Geographical Naming (Government of Canada) – Visit here

Frequently Asked Questions: Updated May 2, 2022

Please Note: Local Governance Reform (LGR) is a Provincial initiative. The FAQs are updated based on information provided to the Town by the Province.

What is Local Governance Reform?

Visit the Government of New Brunswick website here to learn about Local Governance Reform.

What is Entity 51?

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 new community name is determined, these two communities are known as Entity 51.

Where can I locate a map of Entity 51?

Visit here for a map of Entity 51.

What will be the composition of the Council for Entity 51?

The portion of the LSD of Westfield West will become a Ward with one (1) Councillor to be elected. This Ward Councillor will join the existing Town of Grand Bay-Westfield Mayor and Council.

How will debts/reserves be managed?

Each former community will retain its own prior debts and/or reserves, and this will be addressed in Regulation.

For Local Service Districts (LSDs) that are restructuring with local governments, will they be subject to the local government by-laws?

Local service districts that are being restructured, along with existing local governments, will not take on existing local government by-laws. Rather, those by-laws will need to be revised over time to the new entity. Certain by-laws may also apply to a portion of the new entity and not the entity as a whole.

What will happen to protective services?

There will be no change to protective services. Grand Bay-Westfield Fire-Rescue Department, Grand Bay-Westfield RCMP Detachment and Ambulance New Brunswick will continue to provide the services to the same areas.

Will the properties of the Local Service District (LSD) lose curbside collection services?

There will be no change to curbside collection services for the properties in the LSD. The Town has been assessing waste and recycling for options for 2023.

What will happen regarding personal identification should the name change?

The Province has confirmed that there will be no address changes required for Driver’s Licences or Medicare, as the community names within the boundaries of Entity 51 will remain.

Who will update mailing addresses should the name change?

There will be no requirement to update mailing and or civic addresses. Addressing will remain the same including community names.

Residents and businesses of Grand Bay-Westfield, will continue to use Grand Bay-Westfield in their address.

Residents and businesses of the portion of the LSD of Westfield West, will continue to use Nerepis or Woodmans Point (the properties along Campbell Road) in their address.

The intent, as provided to the Town by the Province, is that the use of existing community names will be permanent.

Why is there a naming process?

Entity 51 is a temporary name assigned by the Province. The naming process is to determine a name for the governing body of Entity 51 which will include the communities of Grand Bay-Westfield, Nerepis and the properties along Campbell Road.

What other options did Council discuss/explore before making the decision to start the naming process of Entity 51?

There were two options. 1. The Transition Committee determine a name on behalf of all residents which could include the current name. (Should the Transition Committee not agree, then the Transition Facilitator determines the name). 2. The Transition Committee engage in the democratic process of allowing the community to have their say in such an existential question of identity by way of public input.

Why isn't the same approach being taken by all entities?

Every entity is unique and needs to determine the best process for their communities. The process Entity 51 developed has been provided to the Province, who in turn distributed the process to all other entities as a best practice for their consideration.

What does the voting process of Entity 51 entail?

The voting period for the naming of the governing body of Entity 51 ended Monday, May 2 at 12 noon. Voting results for the naming of Entity 51 to be announced at a Naming Committee meeting on Wednesday, May 4, 2022. For details, visit here.

Will there be street names that have to be renamed (i.e. duplicate street names)? Will there be an impact on emergency service response?

There will be no need to change street names as community names will remain. Emergency services will see no changes to the way that they are dispatched to a specific address.

Will 911 service need to make changes to their systems?

The Province has advised that there will be no need for changes to the 911 system as community names will remain.

If the final vote of residents of Entity 51 is to use the name of Grand Bay-Westfield, how does this impact residents living in the portion of the LSD of Westfield West?

It will impact residents no differently than if a different name than Grand Bay-Westfield is chosen. The current and temporary name of the governing body is Entity 51. This process is about choosing a permanent name for Entity 51 only. Nerepis and Grand Bay-Westfield will continue to be the names of those respective communities.

Resource links

Local Governance Reform

Local Governance Reform – Timeline and Milestones

White Paper

Green Paper

Map of Entity 51

Union of the Municipalities of New Brunswick (UMNB) – Municipal Reform Questions and Answers

Community Profile