Item - 2025.EX23.15

The Executive Committee recommends that:

1. City Council receive the Federation of Municipalities March 2025 report to Council outlined in the letter (April 29, 2025) from Councillor Paul Ainslie for information.

I am pleased to introduce the report from the FCM Board of Directors meeting held in March 2025. This report provides crucial updates on FCM's activities, particularly in the context of the upcoming 2025 federal election.  

A central theme of the Board meeting was the importance of advocating for a National Prosperity Partnership. FCM is urging all orders of government to work collaboratively to build a more resilient and competitive national economy. This partnership is essential to address the key issues facing our communities and our country.  

Specifically, FCM is advocating for federal action in several priority areas:

- Supporting local economic growth and resilience  
- Investing in infrastructure renewal  
- Achieving housing affordability  
- Ending homelessness  
- Keeping communities safe and supporting emergency services  
- Reducing economic disruption through climate-resilient infrastructure  
- Supporting thriving rural, northern, and remote communities  

The Board also discussed advocacy efforts related to Canada/U.S. relations, recognizing the significant impact of trade policies on our communities. FCM has undertaken several delegations to the U.S. to emphasize the negative economic impacts of President Trump’s trade policies.  

Furthermore, the Board of Directors made significant decisions, including:

- Endorsing the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) and committing to embed its principles into FCM’s Reconciliation Strategy.  

- Approving the Strategic Plan “Stronger together: Local strength, national prosperity”.  

- Adopting the FCM Budget for 2025-2026.  

- Adopting resolutions on various issues, including disability benefits, immigration levels, food insecurity, cellular coverage, healthcare access, wake surfing regulation, fireworks, plastic straw ban, and a federal flushability standard.  

This report highlights the vital role of FCM in representing municipal interests and advocating for policies that will strengthen our communities and our nation. I urge all members to review it carefully.

I attended the following meetings and study tour: Study Tour: Montréal-Trudeau International Airport (YUL), Ontario Caucus Dinner, Committee of the Whole, Mayor’s Welcome Reception and Dinner and Board of Directors Meeting I invite you to review the attached Report to Council, detailing the accomplishments of various committees and forums.

The next meeting of FCM’s Board of Directors will take place on May 26, 2025. Please visit to review the upcoming board events for 2025 on fcm.ca