FCM Podcast Series 2025

Neal Comeau, a councillor in Sturgeon County, Alberta, and chair of the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM)’s Rural Forum, joins us to talk about FCM’s rural report, The Future of Rural Canada, a comprehensive roadmap to unlock the full potential of rural communities. The report outlines actionable recommendations to ensure rural municipalities have the tools and resources they need to thrive—recognizing their unique contributions to Canada.

Lauren Hanchar, Mayor of Watson Lake, Yukon, and President of the Association of Yukon Communities (AYC), joins us to talk about the challenges faced by northern communities, such as an affordable housing shortage, aging infrastructure, and financial pressures due to rising costs.

Rowena Santos, a councillor at the City of Brampton, a member of the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM)’s board, and chair of FCM’s Finance, Infrastructure and Transportation (FIT) committee, joins us to talk about FCM’s Municipal Growth Framework, which is intended to change the way municipalities are funded so they can better tackle issues like Infrastructure, climate change and housing.

Josh Morgan, Mayor of London, Ontario, an FCM board member, and Chair of FCM’s Big City Mayors’ Caucus, joins us to talk about the need for a National Prosperity Partnership that would mean the coordination of all levels of government to meet Canada’s needs concerning affordable housing, infrastructure, and ending homelessness. 

Rebecca Bligh, a councillor with the City of Vancouver and President of the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM), joins us to talk about laying the groundwork for a National Prosperity Partnership in order to align all levels of governments around shared priorities and empowering municipalities to deliver results.

Haley Bateman, a councillor with the Region of Niagara representing St. Catharines, Ontario, joins us to talk about Ontario’s proposed Municipal Accountability Act, which is intended to punish municipal councillors for violence and harassment, but needs significant improvements so that it can actually achieve the results it is promising.