Municipalities work hard to keep Canadians safe and secure. They’re on the front lines when floods, wildfires and other emergencies strike. Police and other local first responders also face a growing list of public safety challenges—from implementing cannabis legalization to tackling the opioid crisis, from rail safety to border security. Every new challenge strains already limited local resources.

We advocate for more tools to help municipalities plan for and respond to emergencies, as well as for better collaboration among orders of government to provide safe communities and protect Canadians from health and security risks. We also equip municipalities with key resources to help them meet their public safety responsibilities.

All of us want to feel safe and secure in our homes and in our neighbourhoods. Municipalities are leaders and vital partners in ensuring exactly that.


Featured news & resources

See featured resources, news, events and training related to Public safety.
Resources
Land use planning around rail corridors: railway proximity guidelines

The Federation of Canadian Municipalities and the Railway Association of Canada (RAC) are committed to building a common approach to the prevention and resolution of issues that may arise when people live and work in close proximity to railway operations.

Resources
The opioid crisis: City-based solutions

In 2017, the Mayors’ Task Force on the Opioid Crisis put forward comprehensive recommendations for coordinated, nation-wide action by all orders of government.

News
FCM statement on rail safety announcement

​​​​​​​Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) President Vicki-May Hamm issued the following statement in response to today’s announcement on the safe transportation of dangerous good by Canada’s Minister of Transportation.

Resources
Municipal Guide to Cannabis Legalization

FCM designed this guide to provide an overview of the work ahead for local governments and offer both policy and regulatory options to choose from. It will take coordinated effort from all orders of government to ensure that Canadians are safe and well-served through cannabis legalization.

Resources
Cannabis Excise Tax Submission

Municipalities are central partners in the federal government’s efforts to fulfill its commitment to legalize and regulate cannabis across Canada.

News
Opioid announcement advances urgently needed action

Vancouver Mayor Gregor Robertson, Chair of the FCM's Big City Mayors' Caucus' (BCMC) Task Force on the Opioid Crisis, issued the following statement in response to Health Canada's new initiatives to fight the opioid crisis.

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Quick facts
56%
police officers employed by municipal police services
18%
police officers employed in RCMP contract policing
$14.7B
total operating expenditures for police services in Canada, 2016-2017
Related focus areas
Explore the topics we’re working on related to public safety.

Cannabis

Legal cannabis is now produced, sold and consumed in our cities and communities. We advocate for tools that help keep all Canadians safe and well served in this new environment.
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Opioid crisis

Cities and communities are on the front lines of the opioid crisis, working to stop overdose deaths. We're leading the call for a coordinated national response by all orders of government.
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Rail safety

Transporting dangerous goods by rail can put communities at risk. We work alongside the federal government to ensure municipalities are equipped to respond to rail emergencies and keep Canadians safe.
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