If you've been following the news this week, you've seen the images: roads washed away, neighbourhoods underwater, and families forced to leave their homes with little more than the essentials. For the people of Swan River, this isn't just another flood. It's their second major flood in less than a month. The water is finally starting to go down, but very slowly. In some parts of town, it still has metres to drop before people can even get back into their homes. That means hu

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 Ontario connected not only with delegates from their own provinces, but with municipal leaders from coast to coast to coast. The event provided an opportunity t

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

There are moments in life that make you stop, look around, and wonder if everyone else is participating in a completely different movie than the one you thought you were starring in. I had one of those moments recently while attending the Alberta Municipalities Municipal Summer Leaders Caucus in Red Deer. I walked into the room, ready to shake a few hands, catch up with familiar faces, and maybe locate the coffee before someone else emptied the pot. Instead, I was greeted wit

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