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 confronted with the imperative to address such issues head-on. Harassment, bullying, se

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 Storey, Ingersoll Deputy Mayor Lindsay Wilson, Woodstock Councillor Kate Leatherbarrow, Sault St. Marie

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: Local Government At Work, Mr. Ian McCormack. Joining Ian and Myself us for this insightfu

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, total revenue is estimated to be $73.5 billion, which is $2.1 billion lower than the third-

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 system that provides more care, faster. And it invests in building a skilled workforce with the pe

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 to: The Province will no longer permit renewable generation developments on Class 1 land (soils with no significant limitations in use fo

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 representing rural Saskatchewan, has been actively advocating for solutions to address the

Welcome to Municipal Affairs, I'm your host Christopher Brown. In recent years, the Rural Municipalities of Alberta (RMA) has been conducting surveys to assess the landscape of municipal property taxes, particularly in relation to the oil and gas industry. The latest findings, as of December 31, 2023, are concerning to RMA. A staggering $251.8 million of municipal property taxes remain unpaid by oil and gas companies, despite their legal obligation to do so. Now this marks t

Welcome to Municipal Affairs, I'm your host Christopher Brown. In today's episode, we're focusing on wildfire preparedness in Western Canada as we gear up for the upcoming Wildfire season, set to officially begin on March 1st. With wildfires becoming more frequent and severe, municipalities are facing big challenges in protecting their communities and resources. To help us understand this issue better, we're joined by Shawn McKerry, the Dean of the Emergency Training Centre