It may be one of the most talked-about issues facing communities across Canada right now. Data centres. Municipal leaders are increasingly being asked to consider these massive facilities — and in some provinces, the debate has even become an election issue. For municipalities, the questions go well beyond technology. What are the economic benefits? What are the impacts on power, water, land and infrastructure? And are municipal leaders prepared to have an open conversation w

Good morning, everyone, and welcome to the first live edition of 2026 BC Municipal Votes. It’s Friday, August 21st, and we are coming to you live. I’m Christopher Brown, and I’m very excited to welcome you to this new series focused entirely on municipal politics in British Columbia. For the next several weeks, we’re going to be taking you across the province and looking at the people, the communities, the campaigns, and the issues that will define the 2026 BC municipal elect

Greater Sudbury’s Ward 9 is a community facing many of the same questions confronting municipalities across Ontario: roads and infrastructure, property taxes, development, public services, and the future of local neighbourhoods. But municipal politics is ultimately about something much more immediate — the decisions that affect people where they live. Tonight, we sit down with Ward 9 council candidate Eddie Astgen. Why is he running? What does he believe Ward 9 needs most? An

Every day, Saskatchewan’s mayors and councillors make decisions that shape the future of their communities. But with the demands of municipal government, there’s often little time to step back, share experiences, and focus on becoming a stronger leader. That’s the goal of SUMA's Council Summer School — an exclusive professional development opportunity created specifically for elected municipal leaders. Two immersive days last week, Mayors and Councillors from across Saskatche

Crime and public safety are among the most pressing concerns facing communities across Canada — and for municipal leaders, those concerns are often felt first and closest to home. Last week, Stony Plain Mayor William Choy and members of council took those concerns directly to Ottawa, meeting with Ruby Sahota, the federal Secretary of State for Combating Crime. The conversation focused on public safety and the challenges municipalities are facing on the ground — and what role

Accessibility isn't just about ramps, elevators, or automatic doors. It's about whether government works for everyone — whether public services are designed so that every resident can participate fully and with dignity. Last Month, Saskatchewan's Ombudsman announced the creation of a new Accessibility and Inclusion Unit, a dedicated team that will oversee how public bodies are meeting their obligations under the Accessible Saskatchewan Act. The unit will investigate accessibi

There is a great deal we still do not know about the regulations Alberta will eventually put around its new provincewide framework for municipal councillor accountability. What we do know is that the Alberta government has moved well beyond simply talking about changing the rules. Bill 28, the Municipal Affairs and Housing Statutes Amendment Act, 2026, received Royal Assent on May 14, creating the legislative foundation for a provincewide councillor accountability framework.

In Halton Hills, the next municipal election is putting a familiar question in front of voters: what kind of leadership does this community want for its future? Municipal politics may be local, but the decisions made at town hall can shape the way people live, work, and grow for years to come. Today on Municipal Affairs, we sit down with Halton Hills mayoral candidate Ivan Bosnjak. We'll talk about his decision to run, his vision for the community, and what he believes leader

For the smallest province in Confederation, this marks the unofficial kickoff to the 2026 municipal election season. On November 2nd, residents in all 56 municipalities across Prince Edward Island—one city, ten towns, and 45 rural municipalities—will head to the polls to choose the next generation of local leaders who will help shape their communities for the next four years. As another municipal term comes to a close, it's an important time to take stock of where municipalit