Over the last twelve months, rural Canada has moved from the margins of national conversation to the centre of some of our biggest policy debates. Earlier this year, the Federation of Canadian Municipalities’ Rural Forum played an especially influential role—raising the voices of small communities, farm towns, northern and remote regions, and the municipalities that keep Canada’s economic engine running quietly but powerfully in the background. This was the year FCM released

Today we take a step back and look at the year that was — a year of challenge, change, and unmistakable movement across rural Saskatchewan. To do so we’re joined by the President of the Saskatchewan Association of Rural Municipalities, Bill Huber, to reflect on a defining year for rural communities and the leaders who serve them. 2025 was a year where rural issues pushed firmly into the provincial spotlight. From the halls of the annual SARM Convention in March — where more t

It’s been a year of transformation for Yukon communities — one marked by historic investments, renewed partnerships, and a growing sense of momentum. From Dawson City to Watson Lake, and from the Village of Mayo to the capital in Whitehorse, municipalities saw unprecedented support aimed at strengthening the services and infrastructure that residents rely on every day. Major federal-territorial funding agreements took shape as well, opening the door to long-term improvements

2025 was anything but quiet in the Keystone Province. Municipalities faced a complex mix of challenges: rising pressures on mental health response, growing concerns about public safety, vandalism and harassment aimed at local officials, and the day-to-day reality of delivering services with stretched resources. We watched municipalities call loudly for legislative reform, seek stronger federal commitments on housing, bail, and policing, and push for renewed investment in the

We’re taking a deep dive into a year that has been anything but ordinary for rural Alberta. Over the past twelve months, Rural Municipalities of Alberta have found themselves at a crossroads — balancing real challenges with emerging opportunities. It’s been a year marked by sweeping legislative change, growing financial pressures, and a renewed spotlight on the essential role rural communities play in the province’s economic and social fabric. From the passage of Bill 50 — wh

This year, SUMA has been hard at work — not just hosting events or conventions, but pushing for real change on behalf of urban municipalities. As part of the 2025‑26 provincial budget cycle, SUMA welcomed major investments in public safety, infrastructure, northern roads and airports, and health services — moves that will materially improve quality of life across the province. At the same time, SUMA has consistently called on the provincial government to step up when it comes

Today, we’re taking a close look back at the economic outlook of 2025—and what it means as we head into 2026. 2025 has been a year of contrasts. Across Alberta, municipalities have faced the ongoing impacts of global economic uncertainty—rising inflation, volatile markets, and the ever-present chatter about a potential global recession. At the same time, many communities have shown remarkable resilience, leveraging regional partnerships, strategic planning, and innovative ini

In this edition of Municipal Affairs, we’re turning our focus to one of the most pressing issues facing communities across Alberta: seniors and community housing. In 2025, the landscape of affordable and supportive housing continues to challenge municipalities large and small, from the bustling urban centres to the tight-knit rural communities where seniors are seeking to age in place. At the centre of this conversation is the Alberta Seniors & Community Housing Association,

Today, we focus on a remarkable moment of international collaboration. The Local Government Association of Zambia joined delegates from across Manitoba and beyond at the 2025 Association of Manitoba Municipalities Convention, held from the 25th to the 27th of November in Winnipeg. This year’s convention carried the theme “Leadership in Motion,”  a timely call for pragmatic leadership—leadership that not only imagines the future, but actively works toward shaping it. Over thre