Edmonton Set To Host Canadian Municipal Leaders

Municipal Affairs
1 day ago
2 min read

For this edition of Municipal Affairs, we’re heading to the heart of Alberta as Edmonton prepares to welcome municipal leaders from across Canada for one of the country’s most important gatherings of local government.

For more than 125 years, the Federation of Canadian Municipalities — known as FCM — has served as the national voice of municipal government in Canada. Since its beginnings in 1901, municipalities from coast to coast to coast have come together through this organization to advocate for stronger communities, better infrastructure, and policies that reflect the realities facing Canadians at the local level.

Today, FCM represents nearly 2,000 municipalities and 20 provincial and territorial municipal associations, speaking on behalf of more than 90 percent of Canadians. From Canada’s largest cities to rural towns and northern communities, municipal leaders gather annually to set priorities, share ideas, and tackle the challenges shaping communities across the country.

This year, that conversation comes to Edmonton.

From June 4th through 7th, more than 1,500 elected officials, municipal staff, partners, and federal representatives will gather at the Edmonton Convention Centre for FCM’s 2026 Annual Conference — the largest pan-Canadian gathering of municipal leaders in the country.

The conference promises four days of collaboration, discussion, and innovation, giving delegates the opportunity to network with peers, exchange solutions, and gain the tools needed to navigate the evolving challenges facing municipalities today — from housing and infrastructure to economic growth, climate resilience, public safety, and community development.

And what better place to host those conversations than Edmonton — the Champion City.

We caught up with Edmonton Mayor Andrew Knack to discuss about what it means for Edmonton to host this national gathering, how the city is preparing to welcome delegates from every corner of Canada, and what Edmonton hopes municipal leaders will experience while they’re here.

We’ll also discuss what Edmonton itself hopes to learn from other communities across the country, and why collaboration between municipalities has never been more important.

We also caught up with Rebecca Bligh, President of the Federation of Canadian Municipalities, to discuss what has transpired for the municipal organization since their last gathering in the National Capital, and how her time as President has shaped her view and outlook on municipalities from coast to coast to coast.

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