Municipal Affairs

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...

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...