RC120 SeptOct 2025 - Magazine - Page 51
Prime Minister Mark Carney addresses the Federation of Canadian Municipalities’ 2025 Annual Conference and Trade Show.
OTTAWA
FCM Annual Conference and Trade Show
MORE THAN 2,000 local leaders and o昀케cials
from across Canada gathered in Ottawa for
the Federation of C anadian Municipalities’
(FCM) 2025 Annual Conference and Trade
Show.
The conference featured keynote
addresses from Prime Minister Mark
Carney, Conservative Deputy Leader Melissa
Lantsman, NDP MP Gord Johns, Green Party
Leader Elizabeth May and National Chief
Cindy Woodhouse Nepinak.
As Prime Minister Carney prepared
to meet with Canada’s Premiers, FCM’s
message was clear: Canada’s success depends
on a new way of working together—one
that respects jurisdiction while embracing
pragmatic, results-driven collaboration. The
Prime Minister is right—it’s time to build. But
Canada can’t build without delivery—
and delivery happens when all orders of
government are aligned.
RENEWCANADA.NET
“This year’s conference was a powerful
reminder of what we can achieve when
local leaders come together with a shared
purpose,” said FCM President Rebecca Bligh.
“Our conversations with Prime Minister
Carney were encouraging, and we’re
optimistic about the path ahead. We’re laying
the groundwork for a National Prosperity
Partnership—one that aligns governments
around shared priorities and empowers
municipalities to deliver real results. That’s
what ‘Stronger, Together’ is all about:
collaboration that drives national progress
and prosperity from the ground up.”
Guided by the theme “Stronger, Together:
Local Strength, National Prosperity,” this
year’s conference celebrated the power of
unity, collaboration, and solidarity between
communities across the country. In an everchanging economic and political landscape,
municipal leaders came together to share
challenges and implement solutions—proving
that when local voices unite, national progress
follows.
A highlight of the conference was the
collaboration and strong partnership with
the delegations from the U.S. Conference
of Mayors and the National Association of
Counties, reinforcing the growing role of local
governments in international cooperation.
Another key moment was the handover of
the Urban7 Mayors’ Declaration that outlined
the pivotal role cities and regions play to
address today’s most pressing challenges.
FCM also launched its much-anticipated
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.
SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2025 – RENEW CANADA 51
