One of the great privileges of producing this show is travelling across Canada, attending municipal conventions and visiting communities of all sizes to sit down one-on-one with local leaders. Those conversations remind us just how diverse—and connected—our country truly is. As Canada Day is upon us, there was one simple but meaningful question we wanted to ask municipal leaders from across Alberta: What does Canada mean to you? Last week, we were in Red Deer, Alberta, for th

The Government of Canada has opened applications for the Build Communities Strong Fund's Local Impact Stream, with more than $176 million earmarked over the next four years for infrastructure projects across the Prairie provinces. The program is designed to help communities build or renew spaces that bring people together—from recreation facilities and community halls to parks, cultural spaces, and other public gathering places—with projects eligible for up to $1 million in f

Today, we're taking a closer look at the issues shaping local government across Alberta, and why the decisions being made today will have a lasting impact on communities of every size, in every corner of the province. Joining us are Deborah Reid-Mickler, Deputy Mayor of the Village of Duchess and ABmunis Vice President of Villages and Summer Villages; Janelle Sandboe, Councillor for the City of Chestermere and Director representing Cities up to 500,000; and Jenny Jones, Counc

Before today's conversation, it's worth reflecting on what leadership looks like when a community faces a crisis. When an emergency unfolds, there is rarely a perfect plan. Events move minute by minute. New information arrives constantly. Decisions often have to be made in seconds, sometimes with only part of the picture available. In those moments, leaders are tasked with balancing uncertainty, risk, and responsibility. Sometimes things go wrong. Sometimes things go right. B

Thousands of local elected officials from across Canada gathered in Edmonton, Alberta, this week for the Federation of Canadian Municipalities' 2026 Annual Conference and Trade Show, marking 125 years of municipal leadership, collaboration, and advocacy. Over the course of the four-day convention, representatives from across Manitoba connected not only with delegates from their own provinces but with municipal leaders from coast to coast to coast. The event provided an opport

Thousands of local elected officials from across Canada gathered in Edmonton, Alberta, this week for the Federation of Canadian Municipalities' 2026 Annual Conference and Trade Show, marking 125 years of municipal leadership, collaboration, and advocacy. Over the course of the four-day convention, representatives from across Saskatchewan connected not only with delegates from their own provinces but with municipal leaders from coast to coast to coast. The event provided an op

Thousands of local elected officials from across Canada gathered in Edmonton, Alberta this week for the Federation of Canadian Municipalities' 2026 Annual Conference and Trade Show, marking 125 years of municipal leadership, collaboration, and advocacy. Over the course of the four-day convention, representatives from across Alberta connected not only with delegates from their own provinces but with municipal leaders from coast to coast to coast. The event provided an opportun

The relationship between municipalities and businesses can sometimes be a complicated one. Businesses may feel burdened by regulations and processes, while municipalities are often challenged to balance economic growth with the needs and expectations of their communities. Yet in every community, there is an organization that serves as a vital bridge between these two worlds: the local Chamber of Commerce. In some communities, it may be known as a business association, a downt

Downtown Edmonton is already humming with the energy of the 2026 FCM Convention. Municipal leaders stepped out into the streets of Edmonton with a message that cuts through the usual policy language and procedural rhythm. “Elbows up for climate.” It’s part rallying cry, part warning, part invitation to do more—now. A national call for action on climate change, carried not from Parliament Hill, but from city halls, band councils, and regional offices across the country. Behind