The Atlantic Voices of FCM

Municipal Affairs
Jun 11
2 min read

Welcome to Municipal Affairs.

This past week, Canada’s capital played host to over 2,000 municipal leaders from across the country at the annual Federation of Canadian Municipalities Tradeshow and Convention. It was a gathering of communities — large and small — united by shared challenges and a commitment to shaping a better future for local governments across the country.

From bail reform and the need for stable, predictable federal funding, to tackling mental health, addiction, and combating misinformation in the digital age, the agenda was packed with issues that hit close to home for Canadians everywhere.

Among the most engaged and vocal participants were delegations from Atlantic Canada. Municipal leaders from across the region came to Ottawa to make sure the voices of their communities were heard loud and clear on the national stage.

We had the chance to sit down with the presidents of all four Atlantic provincial municipal associations to get their take on the convention — and on the issues shaping their home provinces.

We begin with Bruce MacDougall, President of the Federation of Prince Edward Island Municipalities. He spoke to us about why attending the convention matters for PEI communities, and how local concerns are being echoed on the federal level.

(INTERVIEW)

Next, we caught up with Brittany Merrifield, President of the Union of Municipalities of New Brunswick. She shared how New Brunswick municipalities are responding to current challenges, and what role FCM plays in helping elevate those issues nationally.

(INTERVIEW)

From Nova Scotia, we sat down with Pam Mood, President of the Nova Scotia Federation of Municipalities. She reflected on what she’s hearing from delegates, why being at FCM matters, and how she brings those insights back home to keep the work going beyond the convention.

(INTERVIEW)

We also spoke with Amy Coady, President of Municipalities Newfoundland and Labrador — and now newly named FCM Vice President At Large. She offered her thoughts on municipal leadership in Newfoundland and Labrador, her new role on the national board, and the road ahead with both municipal and potential provincial elections looming.

(INTERVIEW)

And finally, one of the highlights of this year’s convention was the acclamation of Vancouver City Councillor Rebecca Bligh as the new President of FCM. We caught up with President Bligh on the final day of the event to talk about her priorities for the year ahead, and how she sees FCM continuing to advocate for municipalities of all sizes across the country.

(INTERVIEW)

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