Halifax Mayor Mike Savage was elected as the Federation of Canadian Municipalities’ Chair of the Big City Mayors’ Caucus. “It is an honour to be named as next Chair of FCM’s Big City Mayors’ Caucus, and I am well aware of the responsibility that comes with it,” said Savage. “The past months have been challenging … Read more
BCMC Chair and Edmonton Mayor Don Iveson issued the following statement: “As every order of government in Canada remains hard at work keeping communities safe during the global pandemic, the Federation of Canadian Municipalities’ Big City Mayors’ Caucus met today at the outset of FCM’s 2021 Annual Conference to discuss how cities can help lead … Read more
Garth Frizzell, President of the Federation of Canadian Municipalities, issued a statement: “Today’s federal budget recognizes this by equipping local leaders with some critical tools to help lead that nation-building effort,” he said. “This budget takes concrete steps to support rural communities [… including] new broadband funding to expand rural Internet access faster, as well as easier access to expanded funding … Read more
In response to the announcement that the federal Gas Tax Fund transfer to municipalities will be doubled for one year and renamed the “Canada Community Building Fund,” FCM President Garth Frizzell issued a statement: “Investing in that infrastructure is a time-tested way to create jobs, generate growth, and raise Canadians’ quality of life. The best available tool to do that is … Read more
FCM President Garth Frizzell issued a statement: “[FCM’s Board of Directors] meeting took place against the backdrop of the next federal budget, a key opportunity to empower municipal leaders with tools to keep their communities safe and poised for recovery,” he said. “FCM has put forward key elements to prioritize in Budget 2021. [We] recommends doubling the Gas Tax Fund allocation … Read more
Canada’s big-city mayors wrapped their weeklong summit with federal leaders on Feb. 12. “As we work through challenges like municipal operating and transit shortfalls, we’re encouraged to see all federal parties recognizing the key role cities will play in getting Canada back to a position of strength,” said Edmonton Mayor Don Iveson, chair of the Big City Mayors’ … Read more
Garth Frizzell, President of the Federation of Canadian Municipalities, and Don Iveson, Chair of FCM’s Big City Mayors’ Caucus, issued a statement: “We welcome today’s announcement from Prime Minister Justin Trudeau (Papineau, Que.) as a landmark investment in the strong, nationwiderecovery Canadians need,” they said. “Today’s announcement also represents significant new support for public transit through the coming recovery period, … Read more
Federation of Canadian Municipalities President Garth Frizzell responded to the fall economic statement: “We especially welcome [the] commitment to stronger action to help Canadians experiencing homelessness […] the next step must be to scale up the federal-municipal Rapid Housing Initiative,” he said. “The Safe Restart Agreement provided emergency funding at the deepest moment of COVID’s first wave, but … Read more
The Federation of Canadian Municipalities released detailed recommendations today for federal post-COVID economic recovery plans—urging a green and inclusive recovery that empowers local leaders to deliver results for Canadians on the ground while continuing to protect the frontline services they rely on. “Building back better starts on the ground,” said FCM President Garth Frizzell. “Municipalities have a track-record of … Read more
The Federation of Canadian Municipalities welcomes the federal government’s launch of the Universal Broadband Fund – a critical step in the delivery of better broadband access to communities across the country. The expanded fund announced today, with $1.75 billion dedicated to bringing reliable high-speed internet to every Canadian and a new Rapid Response Stream, is … Read more
