Red Deer city council listens, learns, and advocates at annual FCM meeting

Along with keynote presentations, there were workshops and study tours available to attend on various topics such as AI, civility in politics, as well as Calgary’s recycling facility and community groups.

As the representative group for municipalities to the federal government, the FCM is advocating for new and needed funding, as well as a seat at the table where federal, provincial, and municipal governments all come together to discuss issues so the same conversation doesn’t happen multiple times. They are also advocating for more flexible and diverse funding programs that recognize that one solution or approach may not work for every diverse municipality.

“One of the things that I really value about the FCM is we have an opportunity to hear from every leader,” Wyntjes adds.

Presentations were made by Elizabeth May, leader of the Green Party of Canada, Jagmeet Singh, leader of the New Democrat Party, member of Parliament Scott Aitchison from the Conservative Party of Canada, and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, who held an open microphone session.

Among a variety of concerns, the FCM’s Municipal Growth Framework was a key concept to arise.

”We all serve the same citizens. How do we make that piece, whether it’s the property tax at the municipal level, but also the income tax that we all pay. How does that come to the local services people use each and every day across canada?” ponders Wyntjes.

The aim of a Municipal Growth Framework would be to ensure municipalities receive adequate federal funding to make the infrastructure updates and developments needed to keep up with rapidly growing populations.

The conference did include discussions on a few desired resolutions such as increased federal support to food banks as a result of heightened food insecurity, increased support for women’s shelters, and concerns around the security and well-being for elected officials among rising harassment and violence.

Wyntjes says the conference gave her “gasoline in the tank” thanks to the opportunity to understand the challenges faced by councillors across the country.

“Sometimes it’s the old adage, ‘We think we’ve got big problems,’ but every community is faced with challenges. How we can collaborate I think is really important, and the value of all orders of government working together and moving the needle on that. That’s important,” she adds.

Next year’s FCM conference will be in Ontario, as it moves among the provinces every year.

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by Ashley Lavallee-Koenig

Red Deer city council listens, learns, and advocates at annual FCM meeting

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