Northwest Mayors settle in for Convention weekend in Edmonton

Issues that Canadian Municipalities are facing will be the common discussion point over the weekend as Municipal, Provincial and Federal officials get together in Edmonton, as part of the Federation of Canadian Municipalities Conference and Trade Show.

The five day convention on municipal matters has brought the three Mayors of the Northwest together in the Alberta capital this week, with all three municipal leaders making their plans as to what sessions of the conference and trade show that they will explore.

And while the real work of the convention gets underway today, the Northwest Representatives have already gone on their first field trip of the week, with Prince Rupert Mayor Lee Brain, Kitimat's Phil Germuth and Mayor Carol Leclerc of Terrace having made a day trip north to Fort McMurray yesterday.

Even before the trio had left for the heart of Alberta's Oil sands territory, Mayor Leclerc had outlined her thoughts on what she hoped to learn from trek to Fort McMurary  speaking to the Terrace Standard prior to her departure for the convention.

Northwest Mayors on their way for a
trip to Fort McMurray on Thursday
(photo Mayor Brain's Facebook page)

The theme of the journey was expanded on this morning for the CBC's Daybreak North, with the regional radio program exploring the nature of their trip, particularly the fact that it was paid for by the Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers.

As part of the lead in to the interview, host Russell Bowers also took time to remind the CBC audience that all three communities in the past have expressed their opposition to the Enbridge Northern Gateway project.

You can review Mayor Leclerc's observations from the Fort McMurray trip for  Daybreak North here.

Mayor Brain posted his first item from his trip to Edmonton to his Facebook page, offering up a photo of the trio prior to their trip to For McMurray as well as some of his thoughts on what the convention may offer.

As for the work ahead at the convention itself, some of the key workshops that might be of interest to the Northwest contingent include:

Sessions on Technology in the Municipal environment called Smart Cities - Don't get left behind

For Prince Rupert perhaps a sit in for the Finding New Monies without increasing Taxes and User Fees presentation might be of some interest

As well sharing notes with other Northern and remote communities at Policy Forum on the topic might offer up some new ways of doing things at the municipal level

Saturday's sessions offer up a string of workshops of First Responders, First Nations - Municipal collaboration and Financing Municipal infrastructure to name a few of the opportunities on the day.

The Convention also features a number of keynote speakers through the weekend.

The Conservative government is represented at the convention by Finance Minister Joe Oliver, who will make his presentation to the convention this afternoon, Mr. Oliver's speech launches the parade of the federal representatives in Edmonton this weekend.

Justin Trudeau will address the convention later in the afternoon, providing the Liberal party view of the partnership between municipal and federal levels of government.

On Saturday it's NDP opposition leader Thomas Mulcair who will offer up how the NDP might address the concerns of cities across the nation.

While Sunday the Green Party's Elizabeth May will take to the podium to share how the Green Party might do things differently.

Later in the Afternoon on Sunday a look ahead to the Federal election this fall will feature the research of Bruce Anderson from Abacus Research, he will offer up some thoughts on What Canadians can Expect in the Upcoming election.

As well as the workshops, speeches and resolution sessions, delegates can take part in a number of study tours around the Edmonton area, check out the accompanying trade show for the event, enjoy a number of receptions and galas.

As well, if they wish even take in the Opening ceremonies and debut game of the FIFA Women's World Cup

You can review the full agenda for the conference here.

At the May 22nd Council session Mayor Brain noted that he would be the first Prince Rupert representative to the FCM sessions in over seven years.

During his presentation to Council, Mayor Brain advised that he hoped to reconnect with the national network of municipalities, as well as to meet with ministers and other officials during his time in Edmonton this weekend.

More on the convention can be found from the Facebook page, twitter feed and YouTube portal that provide information on the Federation of Canadian Municipalities.

For more items related to Municipal Government in Prince Rupert see our archive page here.