Latest news with #FederationofCanadianMunicipalities'
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Stronger, Together: Local leaders close FCM 2025 with call for mature, pragmatic coordination across all governments
OTTAWA, ON, June 1, 2025 /CNW/ - More than 2,000 local leaders and officials from across Canada gathered in Ottawa this week for the Federation of Canadian Municipalities' (FCM) 2025 Annual Conference and Trade Show—Canada's premier event for municipal innovation, collaboration, and advocacy. The conference featured keynote addresses from Prime Minister Mark Carney, Conservative Deputy Leader Melissa Lantsman, NDP MP Gord Johns, Green Party Leader Elizabeth May and National Chief Cindy Woodhouse Nepinak. As Prime Minister Carney prepares to meet with Canada's Premiers, FCM's message is clear: Canada's success depends on a new way of working together—one that respects jurisdiction while embracing pragmatic, results-driven collaboration. The Prime Minister is right – it's time to build. But Canada can't build without delivery—and delivery happens when all orders of government are aligned. While the world faces unprecedented challenges—threatening peace, stability, economic security, and climate resilience — communities bring the skills and determination needed to deliver real solutions on housing, nation-building infrastructure and the economy. "This year's conference was a powerful reminder of what we can achieve when local leaders come together with a shared purpose," said FCM President Rebecca Bligh. "Our conversations with Prime Minister Carney were encouraging, and we're optimistic about the path ahead. We're laying the groundwork for a National Prosperity Partnership—one that aligns governments around shared priorities and empowers municipalities to deliver real results. That's what 'Stronger, Together' is all about: collaboration that drives national progress and prosperity from the ground up." Guided by the theme "Stronger, Together: Local Strength, National Prosperity," this year's conference celebrated the power of unity, collaboration, and solidarity between communities across the country. In an ever-changing economic and political landscape, municipal leaders came together to share challenges and implement solutions—proving that when local voices unite, national progress follows. Strengthening cross-border collaboration A highlight of the conference was the collaboration and strong partnership with the delegations from the U.S. Conference of Mayors and the National Association of Counties, reinforcing the growing role of local governments in international cooperation. These discussions are essential as we work together to protect our communities and strengthen our local economies. Another key moment was the handover of the Urban7 Mayors' Declaration that outlined the pivotal role cities and regions play to address today's most pressing challenges. Launch of the Rural Report FCM also launched its much-anticipated rural report, The Future of Rural Canada, a comprehensive roadmap to unlock the full potential of rural communities. The report outlines actionable recommendations to ensure rural municipalities have the tools and resources they need to thrive—recognizing their unique contributions to Canada. FCM members make their voices heard During Saturday's Resolutions Plenary, FCM members also debated and voted in favour of the following resolutions: Improving access to health care in Rural Canada Strengthening Canada's economy by diversifying trade Future of Canada Post Strengthening Arctic sovereignty and security through municipalities Leadership announcements FCM members reaffirmed their confidence in the organization's leadership, with Rebecca Bligh, Councillor with the City of Vancouver, BC, continuing as President. FCM's Table Officers include: Tim Tierney, Councillor, City of Ottawa, ON – First Vice-President Kathy Valentino, Councillor, City of Thompson, MB – Second Vice-President Marc Doret, Mayor, City of Dorval, QC – Third Vice-President Amy Coady, President, Municipalities Newfoundland and Labrador, NL – Vice-President At-Large Josh Morgan, Mayor of the City of London, ON, continues as Chair of FCM's Big City Mayors' Caucus. Morgan's leadership continues to be instrumental in driving national conversations on housing, infrastructure, public safety and ending homelessness. A Call for a National Prosperity Partnership Throughout the conference, municipal leaders called for a National Prosperity Partnership—a practical blueprint for intergovernmental collaboration. This partnership would align investments, coordinate objectives, and empower municipalities to deliver results on the ground. The Federation of Canadian Municipalities unites more than 2,000 local governments at the national level, representing over 92 percent of Canadians in every province and territory. SOURCE Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) View original content to download multimedia: Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Cision Canada
3 days ago
- Business
- Cision Canada
Stronger, Together: Local leaders close FCM 2025 with call for mature, pragmatic coordination across all governments Français
OTTAWA, ON, June 1, 2025 /CNW/ - More than 2,000 local leaders and officials from across Canada gathered in Ottawa this week for the Federation of Canadian Municipalities' (FCM) 2025 Annual Conference and Trade Show—Canada's premier event for municipal innovation, collaboration, and advocacy. The conference featured keynote addresses from Prime Minister Mark Carney, Conservative Deputy Leader Melissa Lantsman, NDP MP Gord Johns, Green Party Leader Elizabeth May and National Chief Cindy Woodhouse Nepinak. As Prime Minister Carney prepares to meet with Canada's Premiers, FCM's message is clear: Canada's success depends on a new way of working together—one that respects jurisdiction while embracing pragmatic, results-driven collaboration. The Prime Minister is right – it's time to build. But Canada can't build without delivery—and delivery happens when all orders of government are aligned. While the world faces unprecedented challenges—threatening peace, stability, economic security, and climate resilience — communities bring the skills and determination needed to deliver real solutions on housing, nation-building infrastructure and the economy. "This year's conference was a powerful reminder of what we can achieve when local leaders come together with a shared purpose," said FCM President Rebecca Bligh. "Our conversations with Prime Minister Carney were encouraging, and we're optimistic about the path ahead. We're laying the groundwork for a National Prosperity Partnership—one that aligns governments around shared priorities and empowers municipalities to deliver real results. That's what 'Stronger, Together' is all about: collaboration that drives national progress and prosperity from the ground up." Guided by the theme "Stronger, Together: Local Strength, National Prosperity," this year's conference celebrated the power of unity, collaboration, and solidarity between communities across the country. In an ever-changing economic and political landscape, municipal leaders came together to share challenges and implement solutions—proving that when local voices unite, national progress follows. Strengthening cross-border collaboration A highlight of the conference was the collaboration and strong partnership with the delegations from the U.S. Conference of Mayors and the National Association of Counties, reinforcing the growing role of local governments in international cooperation. These discussions are essential as we work together to protect our communities and strengthen our local economies. Another key moment was the handover of the Urban7 Mayors' Declaration that outlined the pivotal role cities and regions play to address today's most pressing challenges. Launch of the Rural Report FCM also launched its much-anticipated rural report, The Future of Rural Canada, a comprehensive roadmap to unlock the full potential of rural communities. The report outlines actionable recommendations to ensure rural municipalities have the tools and resources they need to thrive—recognizing their unique contributions to Canada. FCM members make their voices heard During Saturday's Resolutions Plenary, FCM members also debated and voted in favour of the following resolutions: Improving access to health care in Rural Canada Strengthening Canada's economy by diversifying trade Future of Canada Post Strengthening Arctic sovereignty and security through municipalities Leadership announcements FCM members reaffirmed their confidence in the organization's leadership, with Rebecca Bligh, Councillor with the City of Vancouver, BC, continuing as President. FCM's Table Officers include: Tim Tierney, Councillor, City of Ottawa, ON – First Vice-President Kathy Valentino, Councillor, City of Thompson, MB – Second Vice-President Marc Doret, Mayor, City of Dorval, QC – Third Vice-President Amy Coady, President, Municipalities Newfoundland and Labrador, NL – Vice-President At-Large Josh Morgan, Mayor of the City of London, ON, continues as Chair of FCM's Big City Mayors' Caucus. Morgan's leadership continues to be instrumental in driving national conversations on housing, infrastructure, public safety and ending homelessness. A Call for a National Prosperity Partnership Throughout the conference, municipal leaders called for a National Prosperity Partnership —a practical blueprint for intergovernmental collaboration. This partnership would align investments, coordinate objectives, and empower municipalities to deliver results on the ground. The Federation of Canadian Municipalities unites more than 2,000 local governments at the national level, representing over 92 percent of Canadians in every province and territory.
CBC
27-02-2025
- Politics
- CBC
B.C.'s longest-serving mayor, a champion of women in politics, dead at 91
The longest-serving mayor in B.C.'s history has died at the age of 91. Alice Maitland was born in the Village of Hazelton and started her career in local politics in 1956 when she helped map out property locations in preparation for the community to be officially recognized as a municipality. She was often a champion for rural issues, living in a community of just a few hundred people, about 1,200 kilometres northwest of Vancouver. Maitland was first elected to council in 1965, a position she held until 1970. She became mayor in 1976 and held that position until she was defeated in the 2018 municipal election. Her daughter, Julie Maitland, was elected to her mother's old job in 2022 and continues to serve in that role. News of Maitland's death was shared by the former MLA for the region, Doug Donaldson. "She mentored many in leadership roles, especially women in an oftentimes male-dominated field, and was for numerous years a lone voice speaking out for rural communities seeking more control over nearby natural resources that sustained not only local services but provincial programs," he said in a statement. "She linked that work to the ongoing fight for First Nations' rights and title." "Alice's kindness, generosity and fierce determination in fighting for justice will be missed. But the spirit of that determination she instilled in many others will carry on her legacy." In 2020, she received the Federation of Canadian Municipalities' Ann MacLean Award for Outstanding Service by a Woman in Municipal Politics which recognized her as a trailblazer and mentor for other female policians as well as her advocacy work, noting she had joined the Gitxsan First Nation in blockades against development and industry in order to preserve the local environment. "It's very humbling," she said in an interview with CBC Daybreak North host Carolina de Ryk after receiving the award. "It was a great time. I don't know what else I would have done with my life, and I feel like being awarded for being so happily engaged all those years is kind of strange." She said she hadn't considered running for politics until she was approached by some locals who wanted her to represent them. "I was about to have my fourth baby. It was a Sunday night, and I had two or three kids in the bath," she said. "They said, 'We want you to run for council,' and I said, 'Oh, why not?'" She compared the job to "smoking opium," saying she kept at it because it was intoxicating to be able to make positive change for her community. One of her proudest accomplishments, she said, was getting the village paved. She believed being a woman was an asset as she brought new perspectives to the role, juggling raising four kids with the demands of the job. "We know how the world goes round," she said, recalling rushing to meetings with groups of men wearing "shirts their wives had ironed." She said that even in the 2020s, prejudices and challenges remained, but she encouraged people of all backgrounds to get involved in politics. Memorial arrangements will be announced in the days ahead, Donaldson said.
CBC
07-02-2025
- Business
- CBC
Funding still open to cities that hike development charges, Liberals say
Cities including Ottawa could still lock down federal infrastructure money despite breaking a condition against increasing fees for developers who build new housing. Former housing, infrastructure and communities minister Sean Fraser had issued a warning to cities on the hot-button issue, which has pitted local politicians against housing advocates — and led to campaign promises. Fraser warned municipalities that don't freeze development charges that they won't qualify for the $6-billion Canada Housing Infrastructure Fund, and could also lose out on payouts from the Housing Accelerator Fund. His successor Nate Erskine-Smith offered CBC a more nuanced view, however. "I would like to move away from this idea that growth should pay for all growth, and I do think that drives up the cost of home building and we need to be doing the opposite," he said Thursday from the sidelines of the Federation of Canadian Municipalities' Big City Mayors' Caucus meeting in Ottawa. "If we're honest about it though, it's kind of apples to oranges across municipalities across the country." Erskine-Smith said cities in Ontario have had to rely more heavily on this sort of revenue to make up for a lack of funding. Some, like Ottawa, haven't raised development charges for a long time. Targeted approach Erskine-Smith said cities will still be rewarded for "reducing development charges across the board," but others may take a more targeted approach of driving down fees on affordable housing projects. "I hope we can land on something," Erskine-Smith said of Ottawa's chances. "So long as they're committed to driving down the costs of getting homes built, then I think there's a path forward." Ottawa Mayor Mark Sutcliffe told CBC talks with Erskine-Smith have been "very productive" and "open minded." "We need to move quickly," Sutcliffe said. "We need sustainable funding and a strong partnership with the provincial and federal governments to fund infrastructure so we can build more homes and support more people." So far, Ottawa appears on track to secure the next tranche of its $176-million slice of the federal Housing Accelerator Fund. That fund relies on approving permits, not shovels in the ground — a situation that could become more tricky as U.S. President Donald Trump's tariff threats loom. "It's up to the community to build them, and it's up to the contractors and the builders to do it," Sutcliffe said. "We're going to work as hard as we can to streamline the processes, reduce approval times. But once we approve a home, we need to see the builders moving faster to build those homes." Erskine-Smith said mayors from across Canada expressed similar concerns about a possible economic downturn. He said while the federal government is still working "every day to avoid it," he's also listening to hear what cities will need if the worst happens.
