FCM's international programming would not be possible without the contribution of municipal experts from across Canada. Each year, hundreds of staff and elected officials from Canada’s local governments travel overseas, or host visiting delegations. Using a peer-to-peer approach, they collaborate to find solutions to issues that all municipalities face such as sustainable economic development, waste management and gender equality.
The International Awards are an opportunity to showcase municipal excellence and the outstanding work of the individuals and municipalities who contribute to our international programs.
Institutional Award - Outstanding contribution to international programs
District of Elkford, BC
The District of Elkford, BC has been an active participant in FCM’s Sustainable and Inclusive Communities in Latin America (CISAL) program since its inception. Elkford was a logical choice to work with the municipalities in La Guajira, Colombia, and Ancash, Peru. The communities share many features, such as rich natural resources and extractive activity. With the help of Elkford, the partner local governments in La Guajira and Ancash are creating a plan to address major infrastructure capacity gaps involving roadways, water supply and waste management.
Pam McConnell Award – Outstanding contribution to gender equality in international programs
Joan Westland, Mayor of Ville de Bolton-Est, QC
Mayor Joan Westland has participated in missions to Colombia to strengthen the role of women and girls in community life and local politics. As part of the Sustainable and Inclusive Communities in Latin America (CISAL) program, Mayor Westland has shared her experience as a local elected official, as well as her approach to strategic planning with politicians by participating in inspirational and educational forums and working sessions.
Mike Badham Award — Outstanding individual contribution to international programs
Michel Pinault, Chief Administrative Officer, Town of Granby, QC
Michel Pinault, Chief Administrative Officer of the Town of Granby, Quebec, has taken part in four missions to Haiti. While there, he worked with three national associations of local elected officials to strengthen their capacity to represent their members’ interests to Haiti’s central government. Pinault also supported the associations to assess their needs and develop a range of tools to improve the management, monitoring and operations of their organizations.
International award nominees
The nominees for FCM’s 2019 International Awards represent the finest in international community service. Sharing local government expertise honed by experience and training in Canada with others around the world is at the core of all FCM’s international programs.
- British Columbia’s Local Management Government Association (LMGA)
- City of Edmonton, AB
- City of Ottawa, ON
- Timmins Economic Development Corporation (TEDC) / City of Timmins
- Randy Goulden, City of Yorkton, SK
- Curtis Helgesen, District of Elkford, BC
- Murray Jamer, City of Fredericton, NB