The relationship between municipalities and businesses can sometimes be a complicated one. Businesses may feel burdened by regulations and processes, while municipalities are often challenged to balance economic growth with the needs and expectations of their communities. Yet in every community, there is an organization that serves as a vital bridge between these two worlds: the local Chamber of Commerce. In some communities, it may be known as a business association, a downt

Downtown Edmonton is already humming with the energy of the 2026 FCM Convention. Municipal leaders stepped out into the streets of Edmonton with a message that cuts through the usual policy language and procedural rhythm. “Elbows up for climate.” It’s part rallying cry, part warning, part invitation to do more—now. A national call for action on climate change, carried not from Parliament Hill, but from city halls, band councils, and regional offices across the country. Behind

We are turning our attention to a growing crisis in east-central Alberta—one that residents say is no longer just about inconvenience, but about safety, survival, and the basic ability to call for help when it matters most. In the small community of the Village of Amisk and the surrounding region, cellular and data service have been deteriorating for months. According to a formal letter sent by Council to Alberta MLA Nate Horner and federal MP Pierre Poilievre, what was once

For more than 125 years, the Federation of Canadian Municipalities — better known as FCM — has served as the national voice of local government in Canada. Since its founding in 1901, municipalities from coast to coast to coast have come together through this organization to advocate for stronger communities, better infrastructure, and federal policies that reflect the realities Canadians experience every day at the local level. Today, FCM represents nearly 2,000 municipalitie

Welcome to Cross Border Interviews. Our goal is to create meaningful municipal conversations that inform, connect, educate and strengthen communities from coast to coast to coast in Canada. For this edition of Cross Border Interviews, we spoke with Halton Hills Ontario Councillor Michael Albano at the 2026 FCM Convention. The Town of Halton Hills is a unique marriage of urban and rural, nestled within a picturesque Southern Ontario landscape. Georgetown and Acton are our ur

As Canada moves to strengthen its defence readiness and meet new commitments with NATO, municipalities are being recognized as critical partners in the effort. At the Federation of Canadian Municipalities' annual convention in Edmonton, FCM announced the creation of a new Defence Task Force aimed at strengthening collaboration between local governments and federal partners. The task force will be co-chaired by Councillor Will Cole-Hamilton of Courtenay, British Columbia, and