PEMBROKE — With record-breaking delegate attendance and playing host to every federal political leader, the Federation of Canadian Municipalities’ (FCM) Annual Conference closes by setting new high water mark for municipal sector engagement in Canada. The conference also ended by electing a new Board of directors, which Glenn Doncaster / County Councillor was elected to.
“Over two thousand municipal leaders left Halifax with a deepened understanding of the country’s growing municipal-federal partnership and a challenge to imagine the tools they’ll need to build tomorrow’s Canada,” said Mr. Doncaster “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.”
As a member of FCM’s board, Mr. Doncaster will help set the direction for an organization that is effectively transforming the role of municipalities on the national stage. Some of the biggest challenges here in the County of Renfrew are also national challenges—whether that’s jobs, growth or climate change. The new Board of Directors, comprising of elected municipal officials and affiliate members from all regions and various-sized communities across Canada, will be taking their local experiences to the FCM table; pressing for federal action that makes life better at home and across the country.
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, Quebec and has served as an FCM board member.
“Municipal leaders left Halifax energized and inspired to build stronger communities and to imagine the new tools they’ll need to do it, said newly-elected FCM president Hamm.
“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 and all federal opposition leaders over the four-day convention. Over 2,000 mayors, councilors and other municipal representatives also participated in plenaries, policy workshops, industry seminars and a trade show.
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.
