As I travel across Canada and speak with municipal leaders from St. John’s to Victoria, from Whitehorse to Windsor, I continue to hear the same question whenever people discover that I am a municipal affairs reporter based in Alberta. It comes up repeatedly, almost without fail: “Give us your honest thoughts about what is happening with Alberta separatism.” I always appreciate the question because it shows just how much attention Alberta’s political conversation is receiving

In municipal politics, relationships shape everything. They influence how governments work together, how communities grow, and how challenges get solved. From municipal partnerships with the province and the federal government to the connection between local councils and the people they serve, strong relationships are at the heart of good governance. One relationship that deserves more attention is the one between urban and rural municipalities. Over the past couple of years,

Il y a un peu plus d’un an, en quittant Ottawa après le congrès de la Fédération canadienne des municipalités, je me suis fait une promesse : apprendre la deuxième langue officielle du Canada, le français. Je voulais me lancer un défi et atteindre un objectif : réaliser un jour une entrevue entièrement en français pour Municipal Affairs. Je ne savais pas si j’en étais capable, mais après douze mois de cours, de pratique, d’erreurs et d’encouragements, ce jour est enfin arrivé

To borrow, or perhaps semi quote, Jim Prentice during Alberta's 2015 provincial election, "Mayors, it's time to look in the mirror." I know this probably will not make me popular in every council chamber across Alberta, but it is time someone said what a lot of municipal leaders are quietly admitting behind closed doors. Yes, municipal funding is a real challenge. Yes, infrastructure is expensive. Yes, provincial governments deserve their share of criticism. But more and more

The Calgary Stampede is known as the Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth, drawing hundreds of thousands of visitors from across Alberta, Canada, and around the world to celebrate Alberta's western heritage and culture. But beyond the rodeo and midway, the Stampede has also become one of the province's most important opportunities for municipal advocacy. At this year's Alberta Premier's Calgary Stampede Breakfast at McDougall House in downtown Calgary, municipal leaders met with pr

Every year, the Federation of Canadian Municipalities Convention brings together local leaders from communities large and small, creating an opportunity to discuss the issues that matter most to Canadians at the local level. But municipal leaders aren't the only ones paying attention. Among the attendees at this year's FCM Convention was Alberta Senator Paula Simons, who spent time listening to municipal officials from across Alberta and throughout Canada as they shared the c

Imagine spending decades not only focused on the issues facing your own community, but also championing the needs of municipalities from coast to coast to coast. For one delegate at this year's Federation of Canadian Municipalities Convention in Edmonton, that wasn't just a commitment—it was a way of life. For years, Silverton, British Columbia Councillor Leah Main has been a respected voice in municipal politics. Beyond serving the residents of her own village, she has helpe

The Calgary Stampede is often called the Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth, drawing hundreds of thousands of visitors from across Alberta, Canada, and around the world to celebrate Alberta's unique culture and western heritage. But it's also a time when municipal leaders from every corner of the province come together to connect, collaborate, and celebrate Alberta. At this year's Alberta Premier's Calgary Stampede Breakfast at McDougall House in downtown Calgary, municipal elect

Over the last several months, especially over the last week and a half, I've been asked the same question repeatedly: Why don't I comment on what municipal leaders have said on other podcasts? Why don't I react to council meetings or provide colour commentary on the challenges local councils are facing? The answer is actually quite simple. When I rebranded in 2023 as the Cross Border Network, I made a conscious decision that would shape everything the network would become. I