Editorial: Lord of the Municipalities: Return of the FCM

This weekend, the Fellowship sets forth once more — not toward Mount Doom, but toward the nation’s capital.

Ottawa is about to play host to two parallel pillars of Canadian democracy: the ceremonial return of Parliament, with a Speech from the Throne delivered by His Majesty King Charles, and the annual gathering of local leadership at the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) Annual General Meeting.

For many municipal leaders, this journey is not just another conference stop. It’s a chance to gather, learn, share common threads, and confront the challenges of governing local communities in an increasingly uncertain economic climate. From towns nestled in valleys to high-density urban hubs, all roads lead to Ottawa — and for good reason.

As I prepare for this year’s FCM, I’ve been gathering my own “fellowship” — not of elves and dwarves, but microphones, cameras, and conversations. We’re heading into the heart of Canada’s democratic machinery not just to observe, but to contribute. We’re bringing the show with us to do what we do best: tell the story of municipalities, in their own words.

The shows we’re planning to record reflect the most pressing issues municipalities face.

First up: housing. The conversation on solving the housing crisis in 2025 must begin at the local level, and we plan to ask leaders from villages, towns, and cities: what’s working? What’s not? And what innovations are emerging? And how can Ottawa help?

Next: rural voices. We’ll chat with municipal leaders from rural Canada to ask a question that echoes in many town halls: Is Ottawa listening? With the kick-off of the Carney government as the backdrop, we’ll explore whether rural leaders see change or more of the same.

Third, a deceptively simple question: What does FCM do for your community? We all know what FCM is supposed to do. But we want to hear, directly from the mouths of mayors, reeves and councillors, how they communicate FCM's value back home. How do you explain the importance of advocacy, networking, and federal leverage to residents facing potholes and property taxes?

Finally, we’ll check in with Provincial and Territorial Association Presidents to answer the all-important question: What happens after FCM? What gets carried back to provinces and territories, and how do those conversations translate into lasting local impact?

Last year in Calgary, I was still finding my voice — new show, new audience, testing the waters. But this year is different. With the “Return of the King” in Ottawa and the return of Cross Border Network to FCM, we're not dipping our toes in — we’re diving headfirst.

So while Parliament Hill may dominate the headlines, I’ll be focused on the Rogers Centre — not the stadium, but the real playing field of Canadian democracy this week. That’s where the true stories unfold, in the hallway conversations, panel discussions, and candid interviews with those who build Canada from the sidewalk up.

And that, my friends, is where municipalities matter most — from May 28 to June 1. So, as I post this, I'm heading to the airport to catch my flight eastward. And to quote Bilbo Baggins "Not all those who wander are lost,’ and this year I'm not lost. I'm just beginning.