The Federation of Canadian Municipalities’ President Bill Karsten issued the following statement: “Today’s announcement from the Prime Minister recognizes that the municipal financial crisis is a national crisis—and that solving it requires urgent national leadership and meaningful provincial collaboration. This modest, preliminary measure may help some municipalities with immediate liquidity issues. But to be clear: … Read more
Bill Karsten, president of the Federation of Canadian Municipalities, issued a statement: “On behalf of the FCM Board of Directors, I am excited to announce that Carole Saab will serve as FCM’s next CEO,” he said. “She takes on the role of CEO from her current position as the founding Executive Director of FCM’s Policy and … Read more
The Government of Canada and the Federation of Canadian Municipalities launched the next phase of funding to help communities improve their asset management practices—enabling them to use sound and reliable data to make more informed decisions about key roads, water systems, buildings and other infrastructure. First announced in the 2019 federal budget, the $110-million Municipal … Read more
The Federation of Canadian Municipalities’ President Bill Karsten issued the following statement: “The Federation of Canadian Municipalities welcomes this unprecedented philanthropic contribution from the Canadian Medical Association Foundation (CMAF) that will directly support vulnerable populations struggling with the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. The COVID-19 Community Response Fund for Vulnerable Populations will empower municipalities across Canada … Read more
Municipalities nationwide are calling for emergency federal funding to continue supporting Canadians through the COVID-19 pandemic. “From turning arenas into safe shelters to deferring property taxes, municipal leaders are working flat-out to support Canadians through this pandemic,” said FCM President Bill Karsten. “But with new expenses, staggering drops in revenue and no freedom to run deficits, municipalities need emergency funding to keep essential services going strong.” FCM is calling on all orders of government to work together in partnership, starting today with an … Read more
To mark its 20th anniversary, the Green Municipal Fund is expanding its work for community buildings that are more efficient and powered by cleaner energy systems that will help to reduce energy bills. “GMF is our federal-municipal partnership at its practical best,” said Bill Karsten, FCM President. “FCM is ready to deliver, through GMF, green infrastructure dollars directly … Read more
The Federation of Canadian Municipalities’ released its pre-budget recommendations, Building Better Lives with Budget 2020, a shortlist of proposals that Budget 2020 can implement immediately to drive results for Canadians. “Whether it’s permanent transit funding, climate action, or access to adequate broadband, municipalities are ready to bring life to the commitments we’ve heard from this government,” said FCM … Read more
Mayors from some of Canada’s biggest cities met in Ottawa to craft a shortlist of federal budget proposals. They met wtih Prime Minister Justin Trudeau (Papineau, Que.) and Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs Chrystia Freeland (University-Rosedale, Ont.), along with the ministers responsible for finance, infrastructure and housing to discussed issues including transit, housing and climate adaptation. “When Ottawa … Read more
The Federation of Canadian Municipalities’ President Bill Karsten and FCM Big City Mayors’ Caucus Chair Don Iveson issued the following statement urging Parliament’s swift ratification of the new NAFTA trade deal: “Municipalities in Canada, the United States and Mexico have an important stake in the ratification of the new NAFTA agreement. We are economic engines … Read more
The Federation of Canadian Municipalities released a document, Building Better Lives Together, urging the federal government to move quickly—in its first 100 days—to engage municipalities in 15 policy areas, including: Strengthening local infrastructure Modernizing public transit by implementing election platform commitments Building on the National Housing Strategy to address the housing crisis Supporting local climate action Tackling the rural … Read more
