Welcome to The Political Trenches Local Government At Work. The role of the Chief Administrative Officer can be isolating at the best of times. It is often described as the narrow point in the hourglass—the space between council and administration where expectations, accountability, and leadership converge. But what happens when that hourglass narrows even further? When the administration is not a team, but a single individual? When the CAO is also responsible for finance, planning,...

Welcome to another edition of The Political Trenches Local Government At Work. Today on the show, we’re discussing a mayor in Ontario who has his pay suspended for misusing strong mayor powers and harassing staff, a Saint John police union representative forcibly removed from council chambers amid governance tensions, and Winkler’s mayor calling for respect after the city was chosen to host its first Pride march. Later in the episode, we are diving into our series on the CAO, with a Jack of...

Welcome to the Political Trenches Local Government at Work. When you think about what keeps a community running, municipal administrators are often the ones making it happen behind the scenes. The Manitoba Municipal Administrators, or MMA, has been supporting these professionals across Manitoba since 1931. With more than 300 members, the MMA focuses on education, professional development, and advocacy. Through connection, leadership development, and ongoing learning, they help build strong...