Item - 2023.EX5.9

The Executive Committee recommends that:

1. City Council receive the Federation of Canadian Municipalities Annual Conference and Trade Show report, dated May 25 – May 28, 2023, for information.

I would like to express my gratitude to the City of Toronto’s, FCM Conference Liaison Table, in demonstrating exceptional efforts in preparing for and managing the conference. Special recognition should be given to Josie Scioli, Deputy City Manager Corporate Services; Aretha Phillips, Chief of Protocol; Karen Jones, Director Corporate Intergovernmental & Agency Relation; and Caphan Lieu, Senior Corporate Management Policy, as well as the numerous volunteers who contributed to the event's success.

The City of Toronto hosted 1,500 municipal leaders from coast to coast-to-coast. The conference program included a wide range of activities, such as workshops, keynote speeches, panel discussions, plenaries, and innovative sessions. These engagements provided valuable learning opportunities for attendees and facilitated meaningful discussions on important topics concerning Canadian municipalities Program (fcm.ca)

Of particular significance was the national conversation on modernizing the municipal fiscal framework, which was a key focus of the conference. FCM members actively debated and voted on three resolutions aimed at addressing pressing national challenges. These resolutions included establishing an Urgent Intergovernmental Platform on Mental Health, addressing the crisis of homelessness, and implementing a new growth framework for municipalities. News: Local Action, National Results: FCM’s Annual Conference & Trade Show convenes in Toronto. 

As a representative of the City of Toronto, I had the privilege of participating in various events during the conference including:

Study Tours

- Toronto Archives

- R.C. Harris Water Treatment Plant

- St. Lawrence Market Neighbourhood Walking Tour

- Enwave District Cooling Walking Tour

Events

- Official Trade Show Opening and Reception

- Official Trade Show Opening and Reception

- President’s Forum: Building welcoming communities for a growing Canada

- Master of Ceremonies at Host City Reception Welcome

- ACPA Annual FCM Conference Canadian Ports Reception

- Host City Closing Gala

Board Member Meetings

- Ontario Caucus Meeting

- Resolutions Plenary – Voting

- Annual General Meeting

- Selection of candidates for FCM's Board of Directors

- Elections of the Regional Caucus chairs

- Election of the provincial & territorial associations’ representative to the executive committee

- Closing Plenary: The next federal election and the state of the race

Political Keynote Speakers

- Elizabeth May, Leader of the Green Party of Canada 

- Melissa Lantsman, MP for Thornhill, and Deputy Leader

- Jagmeet Sing, MP Leader of the NDP

Workshops

- Intercommunity transit: Closing the rural and regional transportation gap.

- How to build great public spaces and facilities

- Fight the municipal brain drain: Attracting and retaining talent 

- Finding home: Canada's next generation of housing 

- Everything everywhere all at once: "multi-solving" climate solutions 

- Think globally, act locally: municipalities and global challenges 

- From National Adaptation Strategy to local climate resilience 

- Taking action against online harassment: ideas, innovations, allyship

- From National Adaptation Strategy to local climate resilience

Scott Pearce, Mayor of the Township of Gore since 2004, was confirmed in elections as FCM’s new president. Delegates also elected new members to FCM’s Board of Directors and its three vice-presidents:

- First Vice-President: Geoff Stewart (Deputy Mayor, Municipality of the County of Colchester, NS)
- Second Vice-President: Rebecca Bligh (Councillor, City of Vancouver, BC)
- Third Vice-President: Tim Tierney, (Councillor, City of Ottawa, ON).
 

Overall, the FCM Annual Conference and Trade Show hosted by the City of Toronto proved to be a valuable platform for knowledge exchange, advocacy, and relationship-building among municipal leaders.