PEMBROKE — County Councillor Glenn Doncaster, was joined by municipal leaders from across the country in the County of Annapolis, Nova Scotia, to discuss the goals and objectives of Canada’s municipalities for the year ahead. The topics of infrastructure, cannabis legalization and rural broadband dominated the conversation.
With legalization fast approaching, cannabis was key on the agenda during this year’s meeting. Municipalities have been working hard to get ready for October 17th, but success requires ongoing collaboration and cooperation across all orders of government, most critically at the municipal level.
“Local governments are on the front lines of legalizing cannabis across Canada. Our priority is to keep our citizens safe and well-served,” said Councillor Doncaster. “As October 17 draws near, municipalities need more details on implementation, including assurances that municipal costs will be covered through financial tools like excise revenue sharing.”
Reliable broadband is an essential service for Canadians, yet remains elusive for two million living in rural, remote and northern communities. FCM board members discussed the urgent need for an ambitious, long-term national broadband strategy lead by the federal government to ensure rural communities maintain their vital part role in Canada’s economy.
“We have a situation where Canadian households are struggling to connect and businesses are unable to unlock their full potential. This is unacceptable,” said Councillor Doncaster. “We need the federal government to lead this strategy through long-term, predictable solutions and major investments.”
Board members were also updated on developments in the federal infrastructure plan. This plan was designed to empower municipalities to deliver transformational transit, green and rural infrastructure projects across Canada and in Renfrew County.
“The federal infrastructure plan we helped shape is unprecedented — in its $180 billion scale, its 12 year commitment, its prioritization of municipal projects, and its tailored tools for rural and northern communities,” said Doncaster. “These investments can move projects forward to build stronger economic growth, lower greenhouse gas emissions and improve quality of life for all.”
Across Canada, in communities large and small, urban and rural, municipalities are the order of government closest to people’s lives. Their local solutions are helping tackle national challenges—from growth and productivity to climate change—and are building a more livable, competitive Canada.
FCM is the national voice of municipal government in Canada. Its Board of Directors represents communities of all sizes from coast to coast to coast.
Councillor Doncaster represents the County of Renfrew at FCM as Member of the Board of Directors and serves on the International Relations, Environmental Issues & Sustainable Communities, Ontario Caucus and Rural Affairs committees. He is presently the Reeve of the Town of Deep River.
