Community Services

Citizen Services

Access St. John's is a fully integrated Customer Service Centre geared to a quality focused service strategy for residents and commercial customers. Access St. John's operates 24/7, 365 days a year, using a customer response management electronic tracking system to provide a corporate wide response to client requests; an interactive e-government web portal, providing access to a myriad of City services through the City's website; an online 311 app and front counter walk-in service.

Economic Development, Culture and Partnerships

This division promotes the City of St. John's as an optimal place to live, study, visit and do business through a variety of programs, services, and partnerships. The division facilitates many national and international connections and leads the cultivation of external strategic partnerships within the realm of economic development and culture in direct response to the economic challenges faced by the city. By nurturing relationships with industry, government, post-secondary sector and community, the division fosters the objectives of the corporate strategic plan relating to economic development and arts development. The division operates the Business Information Centre as outreach resource for entrepreneurs and is host of the St. John's Local Immigration Partnership. 

Visit AdvantageStJohns.ca to learn more about the programs and initiatives available for businesses in St. John's.

Housing

The Housing division is responsible for the administration and management of the City's 476 affordable housing units available for rent to low- and moderate-income earners on the basis of net family income. The Housing division also administers and provides oversight to our ten-year Affordable Housing Strategy 2018-2028. This strategy has been developed with the vision of working with partners, stakeholders and residents to create and maintain safe, suitable and affordable housing throughout the City.

Humane Services

Humane Services provides education and enforcement of municipal Animal Control Regulations as well as the Provincial Animal Health and Protection Act. Other support to animal-related activities including stray animal rescue, adoption, animal impounding, community outreach programs, euthanasia and cremation services, licensing, micro-chip program, lost and found reporting, pet safe keeping program and a spay/neuter program for low-income citizens.

Recreation

The Recreation division works with individuals, organizations, and the community to support and enhance recreation, leisure, and sport opportunities with the goal to improve the health and quality of life for all citizens.

Recreation provides access to indoor and outdoor multi-purpose recreation and leisure facilities throughout the City. In addition to offering year-round programs and services for citizens of every age, Recreation offers inclusive services, leadership training and volunteer placement, after school and Neighbourhood Watch programs.

Visit RecConnect for more information.

Tourism, Culture and Events

The Tourism, Culture and Events division provides seasonal family-oriented events to the citizens of St. John's, including Canada Day, Holiday Lights @ Bowring Park, and the Downtown Pedestrian Mall. The Division also works with organizers of outdoor special events, via the Special Event Regulatory Committee, to provide support in the execution of safe and successful events. Through our Arts & Culture division, the City is responsible for the civic art collection through our annual art procurement program, the annual call for performers, Music @ concert series, public art and murals, and works directly with the City’s Poet Laureate and the Arts & Culture Advisory Committee.

Tourism, Culture and Events is also responsible for the Visitor Information Centre located at 348 Water Street, dockside welcomes for the cruise industry, and coordinates the Community Grant Program.