Thousands of local elected officials from across Canada gathered in Edmonton, Alberta last month 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 Newfoundland and Labrador connected not only with delegates from their own provinces, but with municipal leaders from coast to coast to coast. The event provide

Municipal leaders across Canada are facing many of the same challenges: aging infrastructure, rising construction costs, attracting and retaining skilled staff, and ensuring local councils have the tools they need to govern effectively. Those issues were front and centre as provincial and territorial ministers responsible for local government gathered, In Jasper, Alberta, to discuss the future of municipalities. Among the key topics: improving municipal codes of conduct, addr

One of the greatest privileges of producing this show is travelling to communities and municipal conventions across Canada, where we have the opportunity to sit down with local leaders and hear the stories that shape our country from the ground up. With Canada Day here, there was one question I couldn't stop thinking about—one that felt especially fitting to ask the people who serve their communities every day: What does Canada mean to your community? Last week, we were in Pr

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