The Newfoundland and Labrador Regulation 28/25 introduces amendments to the Burin Peninsula Regional Service Board Regulations under the authority of the Regional Service Boards Act, 2012. The regulation revises Section 3 of the existing regulations, granting the Burin Peninsula Regional Service Board expanded authority in managing regional services.

The amendment specifically replaces the previous provisions with new language that clarifies and broadens the board’s responsibilities. Under the revised Section 3, the board is empowered to construct, acquire, maintain, and operate a waste management system within the Burin Peninsula Region. This authority allows the board to develop and oversee waste disposal infrastructure and services, ensuring that waste collection, treatment, and disposal are carried out efficiently and in compliance with environmental standards.

The amendment recognizes the need for improved waste management in the region and formalizes the board’s role in overseeing this essential service. Additionally, the amendment grants the board operational oversight of water and wastewater systems owned by municipal authorities within the Burin Peninsula Region. This change means that while municipalities retain ownership of their water and wastewater infrastructure, the regional board is responsible for monitoring and ensuring that these systems operate effectively.

By extending its jurisdiction to include these critical services, the board can coordinate regional efforts to maintain and improve water quality and wastewater treatment, ensuring public health and environmental protection. The revised regulation reflects a shift toward regional cooperation in managing essential services, reducing the burden on individual municipalities while promoting consistency and efficiency. By centralizing oversight of waste, water, and wastewater systems, the amendment aims to improve service delivery, optimize resource allocation, and improve long-term planning.

The Burin Peninsula Regional Service Board, established in 2013, is responsible for providing selected municipal services in the Burin Peninsula Region, primarily maintaining and operating a waste management system.

The Burin Peninsula, located on the south coast of Newfoundland, extends southwest from the main island, separating Fortune Bay from Placentia Bay, and is connected by a 30 km-wide isthmus. Originally named the Buria Peninsula by 16th-century Basque fishermen, it is often called “The Boot” due to its shape. Marystown, the region’s largest community, has played a crucial role in the area’s economy, which historically relied on the fishing industry until the collapse of the Atlantic northwest cod fishery in the 1990s led to mass unemployment. In response, the Newfoundland government revitalized the Marystown shipyard, which changed ownership multiple times before being acquired in 2019 by Marbase Marystown Inc., with plans to establish Canada’s first aquaculture service hub.

Newfoundland & Labrador (28/2025) February 28, 2025