ST. PAUL – Is there value joining the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM)? That’s the question County of St. Paul council had during a previous council meeting, prior to directing administration to gather more information on the topic.
According to information from FCM, the organization helps municipalities tackle local, national, and global challenges. FCM claims it also advocates municipalities’ needs to the federal government.
On Feb. 11, during the County of St. Paul’s regular council meeting, the matter of renewing membership with FCM was brought back to the table. Membership will cost the County $2,075 for the year.
Coun. Kevin Wirsta, who is also a board member with Rural Municipalities of Alberta (RMA), said RMA has been in discussions with FCM. “They [FCM] are concerned about Western Canada.”
“They want to work harder to understand our perspectives,” by learning more about what’s happening in Western Canada, Wirsta said, speaking specifically about challenges like infrastructure and housing.
Wirsta said FCM seems familiar with some challenges facing municipalities in Western Canada, and if “we keep pushing them,” he believes there will be positive changes to benefit municipalities in the region, in the future.
County of St. Paul CAO Jason Wallsmith informed council that RMA now also has a federal advocacy staff member, in addition to its provincial advocacy staff.
“So, are we duplicating efforts too much [in federal advocacy]?” asked Wallsmith. “Do we believe there's value still [in] remaining [as] a member of FCM?”
In response, Wirsta made a motion to renew membership with FCM. The motion was carried.
