NIAGARA REGION, ON - The Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) announced a legacy program with Tree Canada during the last day of its Annual Conference and Trade Show in Niagara Region.
"We're happy to launch this legacy partnership with Tree Canada to showcase all that our municipalities do in terms of greening their communities," said FCM First vice-president Raymond Louie. "It's a nice token of appreciation for a wonderful conference for our hosts; the City of Niagara Falls and the Niagara Region."
At a ceremony in the Scotiabank Convention Centre (SCC) Garden, FCM Vice-president Raymond Louie was joined by Tree Canada President Mike Rosen, Niagara Falls Mayor Jim Diodati, CN Director of Public Affairs Jim Feeny, FCM Vice-president at Large Ben Henderson, FCM Second vice-president Clark Somerville, FCM Third vice-president Jenny Gerbasi, and FCM CEO Brock Carlton to plant of a tree donated by Tree Canada. Today's planting was the official launch of FCM's new living legacy program, which will plant a tree in every city and community that hosts one of its events.
"Greening hundreds of Canadian municipalities has been part of our mandate," said Tree Canada President Michael Rosen. "We're extremely happy to work with a natural partner like FCM and we look forward to growing this great partnership for years to come."
FCM's annual conference is Canada's largest gathering of municipal leaders of the year as well as the biggest municipal trade show in the country, generating approximately $4 to $6 million dollars in economic activity for the Niagara region.
"We're happy to host our colleagues from across the country and we've been proud of all the work our city has put in to host municipal leaders for the past week," said Niagara Falls Mayor Jim Diodati. "We couldn't be happier to kickoff this great partnership in our great city!"
"FCM and the Niagara Region both believe in strong cities and communities," said Niagara Regional Councillor Selina Volpatti. "We also believe in providing the best possible quality of life to our citizens and this legacy program is a great example of all that we do."