Municipal Affairs

Welcome to Municipal Affairs. I'm Christopher Brown. This past weekend Municipal leaders from across Canada gathered in Calgary for the annual Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) convention, and today we have some exciting news from the fourth day of the convention. In a tightly contested race, Kathy Valentino, the Deputy Mayor of Thompson, Manitoba, has been elected as the 3rd Vice Pr...

Welcome to Municipal Affairs. I'm Christopher Brown. This past weekend Municipal leaders from across Canada gathered in Calgary for the annual Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) convention. The four-day conference was full of workshops, speeches from federal leaders, and networking with municipal leaders from coast-to-coast-to-coast in Canada. On the last day of the four-day conventio...

Welcome to Municipal Affairs, I'm your host Christopher Brown. Today, we delve into a topic that often goes unnoticed: the relationship between municipal councils and their sole staff member, the Chief Administrative Officer, or CAO. Our guest today is none other than Ann Mitchell, a CAO with years of experience in Ontario and Alberta, and an expert in municipal governance. Ann's groundbre...

Welcome to Municipal Affairs, I’m Christopher Brown. In today's episode, we have an important episode ahead of a major event in the world of Municipal Governance and Advocacy. Today we are honoured to have a one-on-one interview with Carole Saab (SAH-AB), the CEO of the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM). The FCM is at the forefront of empowering local governments across Canada, striv...

Welcome to Municipal Affairs, I’m Christopher Brown. Today, we have a special guest, Kyle Kasawski, the Alberta NDP's Municipal Affairs Critic, who will help us unpack the implications of several recent legislative moves by the United Conservative Party (UCP) government. Earlier this week Premier Danielle Smith and the UCP passed Bill 18, 20, and 21. All of which have been under fire for a ser...

Welcome to Municipal Affairs. I'm Christopher Brown In this episode, we're diving into the upcoming election for the 3rd Vice President of the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM). The FCM, as many of you know, serves as the national voice for municipal governments, advocating for policies and initiatives that address the diverse needs of communities from coast to coast to coast. An...

Welcome to Municipal Affairs, I'm your host Christopher Brown. Today, we have a special focus on a podcast dedicated to the Toronto Municipal political scene— The MuniciPALS. The MuniciPALS is hosted by the dynamic duo of Matthew King, a seasoned podcaster and Host of This Time In History, and Philip Mills, a former Toronto Council candidate in 2021. Together, they bring a wealth of knowledge...

Welcome Everyone to Municipal Affairs, I'm Chris Brown Today we delve into a pressing and disturbing issue within the world of municipal politics: the dark and often dangerous reality of harassment, bullying, and intimidation faced by our local elected officials. On May 16, 2024, Detectives in the Major Crime Section of the Greater Sudbury Police Criminal Investigation Division initiated a cri...

Welcome to Municipal Affairs. Today, we're diving into the significant legislative changes shaking up local governance in Alberta. On Thursday, May 23rd, Minister of Municipal Affairs Ric McIver tabled long-awaited amendments to Bill 20, a piece of legislation poised to overhaul local elections, alter the elections act concerning political parties at the municipal level, and modify the Municip...

Welcome to Municipal Affairs, I'm your host Christopher Brown. The recent introduction of Alberta Bills 18, 20, and 21 has stirred significant discussion and concern among Municipal Leaders not only here in Alberta, but across Canada. Bill 20 has particularly become a focal point of contention, with Alberta Municipalities describing it as a "power grab" that could drastically reshape...

Welcome to Municipal Affairs. Today we're diving headfirst into a momentous occasion that's making waves across Oxford County. For the very first time in history, all municipalities in Oxford County will proudly raise the rainbow hues of the Pride flag this June. It's a landmark achievement, a beacon of progress, and a powerful symbol of inclusion for our communities. This moment isn&#...

Welcome to Municipal Affairs. In the realm of Municipal Affairs, where governance intersects with the daily lives of citizens, the discussion of a new Cold War holds profound significance. Municipalities, often the frontline of governance, are not immune to the far-reaching implications of global power struggles and technological advancements. So today, we delve into the intricate dynamics of the...

Welcome to 'Municipal Affairs”, I'm your host, Chris Brown. In this episode, we're diving into the upcoming election for the 3rd Vice President of the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM). The FCM, as many of you know, serves as the national voice for municipal governments, advocating for policies and initiatives that address the diverse needs of communities from coast to coast...

Welcome to a semi-in-person live recording of Municipal Affairs with Chris Brown. Our show is dedicated to speaking with municipal stakeholders from across Canada about the issues affecting Municipalities of all sizes. Firstly I want to apologize for not being with you in person today. I appreciated the team at the MMA for working behind the scenes to ensure we were still able to participate virtu...

Welcome to Municipal Affairs, I’m your host Christopher Brown. Today, we delve into a crucial aspect of governance and fiscal responsibility: municipal asset management. As our communities evolve and infrastructures age, the effective management of municipal assets has emerged as a pivotal concern for municipalities across Canada. Asset management, once a niche concept, has now taken centre stage...

Welcome to "Municipal Affairs," I'm your host, Chris Brown. In this episode, we are continuing our journey into Bill 20. Bill 20 emerges as a harbinger of significant change, poised to reshape the intricate relationship between local and provincial powers. Alberta Municipalities, the collective voice representing the province's cities, towns, and villages, has raised a red flag o...

Welcome to "Municipal Affairs," I'm your host, Chris Brown. Today, we continue our journey into Alberta's Bill 20, which was introduced by Municipal Affairs Minister Ric McIver last Thursday. Bill 20 emerges as a harbinger of significant change, poised to reshape the intricate relationship between local and provincial powers. MD of Bonnyville Councillor Ben Fadeyiw sounds off on...

Welcome to "Municipal Affairs”. In this episode, we spotlight a pivotal moment as Alberta's government unveils Bill 20, a landmark legislation poised to redefine the landscape of transparency, accountability, and accessibility in local elections - according to the province. In a democratic society, the cornerstone of trust lies in the integrity of our electoral processes and the accountability of...

Welcome to a Live Edition of Municipal Affairs. Over the next 45 minutes, we will discuss one topic that has sent shockwaves across the Municipal Sector here in the Province of Alberta. Bill 20, the Municipal Affairs Statutes Amendment Act, 2024. Joining us to dissect the Bill is Mayerthorpe Mayor Janet Jabush, and Former AUMA President and City of Brooks Mayor Barry Morishita. This is Municipal A...

Welcome to 'Municipal Affairs”, I'm your host, Chris Brown. Today, we delve into a significant transformation within the municipal landscape of Saskatchewan, stemming from the recent SUMA Convention held in Regina, Saskatchewan. In a momentous decision, delegates representing municipalities across the province cast their votes, revealing an overwhelming 83.7 percent majority in favour of r...

Welcome to 'Municipal Affairs”, I'm your host, Chris Brown. In a recent turn of events in High Prairie, Alberta, the anticipated recall effort against Mayor Brian Panasiuk and two councillors, Donna Deynaka and James Waikle has fallen short. High Prairie's Chief Administrative Officer, Bill McKenna, confirmed the outcome, stating, "The Town of High Prairie did not receive any comp...

Welcome to 'Municipal Affairs”, I'm your host, Chris Brown. In this episode, we're diving into the upcoming election for the 3rd Vice President of the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM). The FCM, as many of you know, serves as the national voice for municipal governments, advocating for policies and initiatives that address the diverse needs of communities from coast to coast...

Welcome to 'Municipal Affairs”, I'm your host, Chris Brown. Today, we delve into the pulse of Saskatchewan's municipal landscape as we explore what mayors across the province are seeking from provincial leaders in the upcoming Saskatchewan provincial election, slated for October of this year. The recently concluded SUMA Convention held in Regina, Saskatchewan, served as a pivotal platf...

Welcome to Municipal Affairs, I’m your host Christopher Brown This episode is a follow-up segment to our previous episode from March around the pending carbon tax increase scheduled for April 1st. We sat down with Mayor Gerald Aalbers of Lloydminster at the 2024 SUMA Convention in Regina, Saskatchewan to get his reaction on this increase and what it means for residents and municipalities like his....

Welcome to Municipal Affairs, I'm your host Christopher Brown. As the province braces for potentially severe drought conditions, collaborative efforts are underway to mitigate the impact on communities, the economy, and the environment. In a move that the province is calling a landmark agreement, 38 prominent water licensees across southern Alberta have voluntarily come together to address the...