With record-breaking delegate attendance and playing host to every federal political leader, the Federation of Canadian Municipalities’ (FCM) 2018 Annual Conference closes by setting a new high water mark for municipal sector engagement in Canada.
“Over two thousand municipal leaders leave Halifax today with two valuable souvenirs—a deepened understanding of the country’s growing municipal-federal partnership and a challenge to envision the tools they’ll need to build tomorrow’s Canada,” said Magog Mayor Vicki-May Hamm, FCM’s incoming president. “Through each federal leaders’ keynote address, delegates witnessed how fundamental municipalities are to the national agenda and how integral local government will be to building Canada’s future. They also showed interest in attending a leaders’ debate on municipal issues next year.”
Canada’s growing municipal-federal partnership is best reflected through the Investing in Canada infrastructure plan and the National Housing Strategy; by making municipalities key to their delivery, these investments recognize local expertise. These national programs also signal the newfound role local governments occupy as Canadians increasingly look to municipalities to tackle national challenges
The keynote address delivered by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau underscored the vital role municipalities play in delivering on national objectives: “Strong, resilient communities are the heart and soul of our country. And in order to keep it that way, we need to invest our time and effort into growing and bettering the places that people call home… collaborative leadership across all orders of government can produce results that are infinitely better than if we go it alone.”
On the final day of the conference, Vicki-May Hamm was elected FCM’s new President, taking the reins from outgoing President Jenny Gerbasi. Active in municipal politics for twelve years, Hamm is the Mayor of Magog and has served as an FCM board member.
“Jenny’s leadership through this period of opportunity and transformation is an inspiration. Through her efforts, and the work of FCM, municipalities are increasingly recognized as a full, nation-building order of government,” said Mayor Hamm. “Municipal leaders leave Halifax energized and inspired to build stronger communities and to imagine the new tools they’ll need to do it. The ambition of our sector is a testament to Jenny’s legacy as President.”
Delegates to the FCM’s 2018 Annual Conference engaged Canada’s Prime Minister, all federal opposition leaders and numerous cabinet ministers our the four day convention. Over 2,000 mayors, councillors and other municipal representatives also participated in plenaries, policy workshops, industry seminars, and a trade show featuring over 150 exhibitors.
The Federation of Canadian Municipalities is the national voice of local governments, with nearly 2,000 members representing more than 90 per cent of Canadians. FCM will hold its next annual conference in June 2019 in Quebec City.