Municipal Affairs

Welcome to Municipal Affairs, I'm your host Christopher Brown. While we typically focus on local governance issues, we recognize the importance of the broader political landscape on municipal affairs. That's why here on the Municipal Affairs we decided to sit down with federal, provincial, and territorial leaders to delve into their perspectives on municipal governance, and how their level...

Welcome to 'Municipal Affairs”, I'm your host, Chris Brown. As Municipal leaders from across Canada gear up for the June Federation of Canadian Municipalities Convention in Calgary, Alberta. there is a buzz in the air of the return of a successful mixer hosted by Rural Municipalities of Alberta. Building off the resounding success of the Toronto FCM Convention, the Rural Municipalities of...

Welcome to 'Municipal Affairs”, I'm your host, Chris Brown. In today's show, we shine a spotlight on the pivotal role of a councillor in a rural municipality, exploring the unique challenges and triumphs encountered in these environments. Joining us for this insightful discussion are two esteemed guests: Councillor Robin Kurpjuweit from Cypress County, Alberta, and Councillor Deanna St...

Welcome to 'Municipal Affairs”, I'm your host, Chris Brown. Today’s episode is dedicated to the 2024 Association of Manitoba Municipalities Spring Convention, where councillors, mayors, and reeves gathered in the vibrant city of Brandon, Manitoba. Hosted at the Keystone Centre, this bi-annual event serves as a crucial check-in for municipal leaders from every corner of the province. Throug...

Welcome to 'Municipal Affairs”, I'm your host, Chris Brown. Today marks the continuation of our ongoing series dedicated to exploring the vital role of Chief Administrative Officers (CAOs) in municipal governance. In this installment, we explore a fascinating phenomenon: the transition from elected office to the role of Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) within municipalities. Our discussi...

Welcome to Municipal Affairs, I am Your Host Christopher Brown. On April 2nd, Premier Wab Kinew and the Governing Manitoba NDP tabled the Manitoba Provincial Budget. Now according to the province - “Budget 2024 delivers on the government’s commitments to rebuild health care across Manitoba and lower costs for families” Manitoba’s Minister of Finance who tabled the 2024 Budget said, “We’re making s...

Welcome to Municipal Affairs, I'm your host Christopher Brown. While we typically focus on local governance issues, we recognize the importance of the broader political landscape on municipal affairs. That's why here on the Municipal Affairs we decided to sit down with federal, provincial, and territorial leaders to delve into their perspectives on municipal governance, and how their level...

Welcome to Municipal Affairs, I'm your host Christopher Brown. While we typically focus on local governance issues, we recognize the importance of the broader political landscape on municipal affairs. That's why here on the Municipal Affairs we decided to sit down with federal, provincial, and territorial leaders to delve into their perspectives on municipal governance, and how their level...

Welcome to Municipal Affairs, I’m Your Host Christopher Brown. In this episode, we delve into an exciting venture that promises to elevate the Town of Mayerthorpe, Alberta onto the global stage. During a February regular meeting, the Council of Mayerthorpe approved a significant decision that is set to shape the town's future trajectory. Mayor Janet Jabush and Acting Chief Administrative Offic...

Welcome to Municipal Affairs, I am Your Host Christopher Brown. On March 26th, 2024 Premier Doug Ford and the Governing Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario tabled Ontarios’s 2024-2025 Provincial Budget. Now according to the province - “The 2024 Budget demonstrates how the government is continuing to deliver on its Plan to Build by investing in infrastructure to get more homes built faster, a...

Welcome to Municipal Affairs, I’m Your Host Christopher Brown In this episode, we turn our attention to the recent call from the City of Lloydminster, straddling the provinces of Alberta and Saskatchewan, regarding the impending increase to the federal carbon tax. In a bold move, Lloydminster City Council has urged Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's Liberal government to halt any further escalati...

Welcome to Municipal Affairs, I'm your host Christopher Brown. In today's episode, we delve into the heart of Alberta's municipal landscape, addressing critical topics impacting communities across the province. Our roundtable discussion will explore four pressing issues, each of significant importance to municipal leaders and residents alike. Firstly, we'll be reflecting on the rec...

Welcome to Municipal Affairs, I am Your Host Christopher Brown. On March 21st 2024, Premier Andrew Fuery and the Governing Newfoundland and Labrador Liberal Party tabled Newfoundland and Labrador’s 2024-2025 Provincial Budget. Now according to the province - “As a government, we are transforming the province’s finances as we work towards a stronger, smarter, self-sufficient, sustainable province”...

Welcome to Municipal Affairs, I am Your Host Christopher Brown. Today, we embark on a journey the inaugural day of the Rural Municipalities of Alberta Spring Convention Hosted in Edmonton on March 19th and 20th. Alberta Minister of Municipal Affairs Ric McIver opened the two day conference with a pitch to those in attendance and he alongside Alberta Premier Danielle Smith were working with Rural M...

Welcome to Municipal Affairs, I am Your Host Christopher Brown. On March 20th 2024, Premier Scott Moe and the Governing Saskatchewan Party tabled Saskatchewan’s 2024-2025 Provincial Budget. Now according to the province - “This budget addresses the challenges of a growing province by reinvesting the benefits of growth in the areas that matter most to Saskatchewan people - education, health and our...

Welcome to Municipal Affairs, I am Your Host Christopher Brown. On March 19th, 2024, Premier Blaine Higgs and the Governing Progressive Conservative Party tabled New Brunswick’s 2024-2025 Provincial Budget. Now according to the province - this budget, “is the result of years of responsible fiscal management and a commitment to providing services that support a growing population.” The Finance and...

Welcome to Municipal Affairs, I'm your host Christopher Brown. In today's episode, we shine a spotlight on the urgent call issued by the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) to the federal government. This call comes weeks before Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland tables the Federal Budget on April 16th. Early this week FCM President Scott Pearce was at the most recent Rural Mu...

Welcome to Municipal Affairs, I'm your host Christopher Brown. While we typically focus on local governance issues, we recognize the importance of the broader political landscape on municipal affairs. That's why here on the Municipal Affairs we decided to sit down with federal, provincial, and territorial leaders to delve into their perspectives on municipal governance, and how their level...

Welcome to 'Municipal Affairs”, I'm your host, Chris Brown. In todays episode, we are shining a spotlight on a topic of paramount importance: investigations within the municipal sector, particularly concerning harassment, sexual harassment, and discrimination. In light of recent events and growing awareness surrounding workplace misconduct, municipalities across the nation are increasingly confron...

Welcome to Municipal Affairs, I'm your host Christopher Brown. Today's episode is a much-anticipated follow-up to last September's discussion on "Breaking the Glass Ceiling," where we dove into the experiences of women in municipal leadership roles. Today, we continue this important conversation by welcoming a panel of distinguished guests: Chatham Kent Councillor Alysson Sto...

Welcome to 'Municipal Affairs”, I'm your host, Chris Brown. Today marks the continuation of our ongoing series dedicated to exploring the vital role of Chief Administrative Officers (CAOs) in municipal governance. In this installment, we delve into what truly makes a successful CAO/Council relationship. Along for the ride today is the co-host of our sister show - The Political Trenches: Lo...

Welcome to Municipal Affairs, I am Your Host Christopher Brown. On February 29th, 2024, Danielle Smith and the Governing United Conservative Party tabled Alberta’s 2024-2025 Provincial Budget. Now according to the province, "With a steady focus on fiscal responsibility and wise spending, Alberta’s government will continue to meet the needs of Albertans today and tomorrow." In 2024-25, to...

Welcome to 'Municipal Affairs”, I'm your host, Chris Brown. On February 29th, 2024, Tim Houston and the Governing Progressive Conservatives tabled Nova Scotia's 2024-2025 Provincial Budget. Now according to the province, "It invests more to help Nova Scotians with the cost of living and build more diverse and resilient communities. It invests in building a world-class healthcare s...

Welcome to 'Municipal Affairs”, I'm your host, Chris Brown. This morning after a 6 month short pause on final approvals for large renewable energy projects, Premier Danielle Smith and Minister of Affordability and Utilities, Nathan Neudorf announced the strict new rules for Renewable energy developments in Alberta including but not limited too: The Province will no longer permit renewable...

Welcome to Municipal Affairs, I'm your host Christopher Brown. The Saskatchewan Association of Rural Municipalities (SARM) is raising concerns regarding the profound staff shortages plaguing healthcare facilities across rural regions of the province. Joining us for this crucial conversation is Ray Orb, President of the Saskatchewan Association of Rural Municipalities. SARM, as the voice repres...