Latest news with #BigCityMayors'Caucus
Cision Canada
29-05-2025
- Business
- Cision Canada
It's time to deliver: Mayors call for mature, pragmatic coordination across all governments to meet Canada's housing goals Français
OTTAWA, ON, May 29, 2025 /CNW/ - Canada's pledge to build 500,000 homes each year will only succeed if federal, provincial, territorial, and municipal governments are working together—aligning investments, focusing on shared priorities, and resourcing the levers that deliver results. That's the message from the Federation of Canadian Municipalities' (FCM) Big City Mayors' Caucus as local leaders gather in Ottawa for FCM's Annual Conference and Trade Show. "We agree with the Prime Minister—it's time to build. But we can't build without delivery—and delivery happens when governments are aligned; resources are targeted, and municipalities are equipped to do the work on the ground. Delivery happens when governments are aligned, resources are targeted, and municipalities are equipped to do the work on the ground." said FCM President Rebecca Bligh. A National Prosperity Partnership should be a functional, practical blueprint for this kind of collaboration. It's about governments working together — across respective jurisdictions and mandates — to coordinate on housing, infrastructure, and economic growth, and to align existing resources accordingly. The focus is on delivery: setting shared objectives and resourcing the levers that move real outcomes forward — many of which are with local governments, where that delivery takes shape. "Cities are ready to deliver — but we're being asked to meet today's housing and infrastructure challenges with outdated tools and limited capacity," said Josh Morgan, Chair of FCM's Big City Mayors' Caucus. "That's why we need a mature conversation about how governments work together. We need a modern approach that aligns plans, funding, and delivery — so communities on the front lines are equipped to succeed." This year's Annual Conference also features a high-level meeting between Canadian Mayors and a delegation of U.S. Mayors — highlighting the critical role local governments play in strengthening cross-border economic relationships. At a time of trade tensions, supply chain pressures, and shared infrastructure challenges, cities are working together to advance practical solutions that support both national competitiveness and local prosperity. By aligning efforts to facilitate trade, workforce mobility, and resilient infrastructure, municipal leaders are helping to reinforce the conditions that drive economic growth on both sides of the border. These discussions also reflect an expanding role for local governments in shaping international engagement—from trade and climate resilience to inclusive economic development. FCM will continue building strong relationships with its American and international counterparts to advance shared priorities and deliver results for communities. That commitment is reflected in the presence of a U.S. Conference of Mayors (USCM) delegation at FCM's Annual Conference, reinforcing the strong cross-border ties that support shared priorities—from economic growth to climate resilience. The delegation includes: Andrew Ginther, USCM President and Mayor of Columbus, Ohio Tom Cochrane, USCM CEO LaToya Cantrell, Mayor of New Orleans, La. Bryan Barnett, Mayor of Rochester Hills, Mich. This call to action is being amplified as local leaders gather in Ottawa to align their priorities and speak with one voice. As Prime Minister Carney prepares to meet with Canada's Premiers, the message to First Ministers is clear: Canada's success depends on a new way of working together—one that respects jurisdiction, but reflects a matured, pragmatic approach to collaboration. That means aligning resources, coordinating objectives, and actually resourcing delivery—laser-focused on results that, by design and necessity, are achieved through local governments. In the face of economic uncertainty, shifting global markets, and rising pressures on Canadians, now is the time for governments to stand together and deliver. The Federation of Canadian Municipalities unites more than 2,000 local governments at the national level, representing more than 92 per cent of Canadians in every province and territory. SOURCE Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM)
CBC
08-02-2025
- Business
- CBC
London Mayor equipped with local business input for upcoming tariff talks in Washington D.C.
Stimulus programs for affected businesses, push for interprovincial trade among discussion points Business and economic leaders from across the London region met with Mayor Josh Morgan Friday ahead of his trip to Washington D.C. next week to push back against tariff threats alongside provincial officials. Morgan called the meeting informative and said it left him well-informed for the trip. Those in attendance were invited by Morgan from various organizations including local schools, business groups, healthcare networks and more to discuss how best to prepare the London region's economy for the ramifications of a potential trade war with the United States. "This is the type of conversation that's happening in cities across the country, talking with our local manufacturers, local job creators, local businesses," Morgan said. "We need to hear what they think. We need to feed that information back up through our federal and provincial partners because of the really important work ahead." The meeting comes less than a week after threats of crushing U.S. tariffs on Canadian goods were postponed until at least March 4 by U.S. President Donald Trump. Through his role as chair of the Big City Mayors' Caucus, Morgan has been at the forefront of a movement to ensure Canadian municipalities have a seat at the table in responding to the looming threats. A primary purpose of Friday's meeting was to equip himself with firsthand knowledge ahead of next week's trip, he said. "I've learned there's a lot of concerns. A lot of people have put a lot of things on pause. Even though tariffs have not come, there's a lot of business decisions already being made because of the uncertainty that's out there, and that's problematic for the progress that we've been making," Morgan said. The wait-and-see approach many businesses are taking threatens the economic momentum the city has been enjoying recently — something he expects is the case on both sides of the border, he said. "There's a 30-day reprieve here. That's not a lot of time to make some influence ... and we're going to bring London stories and London information to that approach," Morgan said. He also asked local business leaders about their connections to American cities and industries. During Friday's meeting the discussion also touched on one of Morgan's previous calls – for cities and businesses to keep their dealings inside the Canadian economy. It's a call that Steve Pellarin, executive director of the London Small Business Centre, said is an important piece of the response. "A lot of [small businesses are] still trying to figure out exactly what the impact is going to be. A lot of it is going to come down to them informing and educating themselves on how their supply chains are being impacted, what they can do to minimize that impact," he said. The chaos represents opportunity to Morgan — along with Pellarin and Kapil Lakhotia, president of the London Economic Development Corporation, "Whether it's COVID or these geopolitical threats like tariffs, these external economic shocks will continue to happen. So it's important to build a diversified profile," Lakhotia said. "I think there is an appetite for culture change in terms of what can the city do as an establishment to lead the way, and build a stronger local procurement approach." There are concrete actions the municipal government can take to help businesses if tariffs come, Morgan said. Stimulus payments could be on the table in the future if higher levels of governments would be willing to move in that direction. "We have an opportunity not just to spend money, but to spend money in a very strategic way that actually boosts and supports Canadian business innovation in a way that maybe we haven't before," the mayor said. Morgan will travel — equipped with the information he said he's gained from Friday's meeting — with the Federation of Canadian Municipalities representatives and Progressive Conservative leader Doug Ford to Washington, D.C., on Feb. 11 and 12 to meet with U.S. senators, mayors, and business leaders.
CBC
07-02-2025
- Business
- CBC
Amid tariff threats, local governments should prioritize buying local, London mayor says
Social Sharing With the threat of punishing U.S. tariffs on Canadian imports continuing to loom large, London's mayor says there are things municipalities can do to shore up their own economies better. Among them, they buy local and Canadian wherever possible. "The way we spend, invest and procure goods and services has a direct impact on jobs, local industries and the long-term resilience of our communities," Josh Morgan said Thursday, flanked by other big city mayors, during a news conference at Ottawa's Château Laurier hotel. "In London and across Canada, we must seize the moment to rethink our procurement strategies, ensuring that they serve the best interests of residents, businesses and workers." Morgan is chair of the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) Big City Mayors' Caucus, which met Thursday to discuss, among other things, the upcoming federal election and the impact a trade war with the United States would have on their communities. Caucus members also met with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly. On Monday, U.S. President Donald Trump paused his plan to levy 25 per cent tariffs on most Canadian goods for at least 30 days, after Prime Minister Justin Trudeau agreed to several border security commitments on Monday. Spending billions every year on infrastructure, equipment and services, Morgan said cities could steer that demand toward domestic industries. He reiterated that he would table a motion at city council next week to examine London's procurement policies with that goal in mind. He also called for improved collaboration with neighbouring municipalities and provinces through shared procurement agreements and to remove barriers faced by small and medium-sized businesses in competing for municipal contracts against larger, deeper-pocketed firms. "This is an economic relationship that is the envy of the world," Morgan said. "To dismantle that … I think the rest of the world will be just sitting back and laughing at us." Trudeau pledges Canada will emerge 'stronger' from tariff dispute 15 hours ago Duration 9:32 Morgan will travel with FCM representatives and Progressive Conservative Leader Doug Ford to Washington, D.C., on Feb. 11 and 12 to meet with U.S. senators, mayors, and business leaders about the threatened tariffs. "Municipalities and local governments are at the front lines to respond to these crises," said FCM's president, Rebecca Bligh. "Our intention is to join the delegation and ensure that we can reflect the importance of taking these tariffs seriously." Local governments have the most to lose in a trade war, so any talks about tariffs, retaliatory measures, or senior government supports will involve municipalities through FCM, Bligh said. "Additionally, retaliatory measures that could affect municipal procurement and strain municipal budgets must be discussed with FCM to ensure they are addressed appropriately." Before travelling stateside, London business and economic leaders will gather at city hall on Friday to meet with the mayor to talk tariffs and develop a plan aimed at supporting local commerce. Graham Henderson, CEO of the London Chamber of Commerce, will be on hand for the meeting, which will start at 1 p.m. in a committee room on the second floor of 300 Dufferin. Other attendees will include representatives from the London Economic Development Corporation, London Development Institute, London Region Manufacturing Council, as well as local hospitals and post-secondary institutions. Speaking with CBC News, Henderson said he joined representatives from various sectors and the heads of Hamilton and Toronto's chambers of commerce on a call with Ford on Monday, The news had just emerged that Trump would pause his promised tariffs for 30 days. "I think [Ford's] comment was, and this is that old idiom, 'never waste a good crisis,'" Henderson said. "So what can we do to take advantage of this situation, to take advantage of the crisis, to make our own environment better? One of the ways to do that is to get rid of these interprovincial trade barriers which have been dogging us for decades." Efforts to eliminate interprovincial trade barriers, which inhibit the free movement of goods and services between provinces, date back decades. .
