2011

Letter by FCM president Berry Vrbanovic: CD Howe report marches right past what taxpayers see every day

Today municipal leaders are applauding the Government of Canada for launching a new infrastructure planning process that promises to stop the decline in Canada's aging municipal infrastructure and build the roads, bridges, water and transit systems the country needs to support families, businesses and economic growth.

The following statement was released today by FCM president Berry Vrbanovic following Liberal Leader Bob Rae's speech during FCM's Advocacy Days Board of Directors luncheon in Ottawa:

FCM voices concern over P3 funding rules

Berry Vrbanovic, president of the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) and councillor for the City of Kitchener, Ont., announced a two-day workshop in Moncton aimed at helping women overcome the obstacles they face in running for municipal office. 

The following statement was released today by Berry Vrbanovic, president of the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM), on his participation in the Remembrance Day ceremonies in Ottawa on behalf Canada's municipalities.

Berry Vrbanovic, president of the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) and councillor for the City of Kitchener, Ont., announced a free webinar series aimed at helping women overcome the obstacles they face in running for municipal office. 

Federation of Canadian Municipalities' (FCM) Big City Mayor's Caucus (BCMC) Chair and Vancouver Mayor Gregor Robertson welcomed today the Canadian Rental Housing Coalition's call for more rental housing in Canada.

Berry Vrbanovic, president of the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) and councillor for the City of Kitchener, Ont., announced a two-day workshop in Dieppe aimed at helping women overcome the obstacles they face in running for municipal office. 

The Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) and the Union des municipalités du Québec (UMQ) wish to underscore the contribution of the municipalities of Sherbrooke, Montmagny and Richmond in the reconstruction of Les Palmes region in Haiti.

Today's Statistics Canada report showing increased transit ridership across the country underscores the importance of long-term investment in public transit, says the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM). 

Better planning, partnerships and programs: these are trademarks of smarter government and what Canada will need to create jobs, protect core services and balance its budget deficit in a tough global economy, said the president of the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM), Berry Vrbanovic, today at the House of Commons finance committee pre-budget hearing.

As part of the Municipal Cooperation Program (MCP), the municipalities of Sherbrooke, Montmagny and Richmond in Quebec are welcoming a delegation from Haiti to share their expertise and help communities hit hard by the 2010 earthquake provide basic services.

The following statement was released today by Berry Vrbanovic, president of the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM), on Bill C-615, an Act to establish a National Public Transit Strategy, introduced today by New Democrat Critic for Transport, Infrastructure and Communities Olivia Chow.

The lack of affordable housing and access to efficient public transit and community services are significant barriers to the success of new immigrants and the Canadian economy, says the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) in a report on Canada´s immigration system.

The following statement was released today by Berry Vrbanovic, president of the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM), following meetings with the Hon. Edward Fast, Minister of International Trade and Minister for the Asia-Pacific Gateway, on the Canada Europe Free-Trade Agreement (CETA

Berry Vrbanovic, president of the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) and councillor for the City of Kitchener, Ontario, announced a two-day workshop in Squamish aimed at helping women overcome the obstacles they face in running for municipal office. The workshop will be held September 24 to 25, 2011.

Minister Ed Fast explains how CETA will affect municipal operations, including procurement.

Prime Minister Stephen Harper issued the following statement following the death of Jack Layton:

Tens of thousands of Canadians have written to me in recent weeks to wish me well.

"Jack Layton's contribution to Canada was cut short most unfairly. His dedication to our country, to public life and to his party was vividly apparent in everything he did and all that he achieved.

Berry Vrbanovic, president of the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) and councillor for the City of Kitchener, Ontario, announced a two-day workshop in the Regional District of Kootenay aimed at helping women overcome the obstacles they face in running for municipal office. The workshop will be held August 27 to 28, 2011.

The following statement was released today by Berry Vrbanovic, president of the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) on the passing of the Honourable Jack Layton, Leader of the Official Opposition and of the NDP

The following statement was released today by Berry Vrbanovic, president of the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) on recent events in Montreal highlighting the state of Canada´s infrastructure:

The President of the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM), Berry Vrbanovic, concluded yesterday a tour of Haiti as part of a mission for the Haiti-Canada Municipal Cooperation Project (MCP).

The following statement was released today by Berry Vrbanovic, President of the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM), following the affordable housing framework announcement by the federal, provincial, and territorial ministers responsible for housing.

The following statement was released today by Berry Vrbanovic, President of the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM), following today's announcement by the Honourable Leona Aglukkaq, Minister of Health, on proposed changes to the Medical Marihuana Access Program.

The following statement was released today by Berry Vrbanovic, President of the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM), following the federal budget commitment to develop a new long-term infrastructure plan

Hans Cunningham, president of the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) and director of the Regional District of Central Kootenay, B.C., announced a two-day workshop in Prince George aimed at helping women overcome the obstacles they face in running for municipal office.

Berry Vrbanovic, Councillor of Kitchener, ON, was today acclaimed President of the Federation of Canadian Municipalities' (FCM) by delegates attending FCM's 74th Annual Conference and Municipal Expo™ in Halifax.

The following statement was released today by Berry Vrbanovic, president of the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM), following the speech by Minister of Infrastructure, Transport and Communities Denis Lebel at FCM's annual conference.

The following statement was released today by Hans Cunningham, President of the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM), following the speech by Liberal Leader Bob Rae at FCM´s annual conference.

As Parliament prepares for tomorrow´s Speech from the Throne, Canada's Big City Mayors gathered today in Halifax with a clear message for the new majority government: Let´s get to work.

Municipalities across the country are welcoming delegations from Asia, Africa, Latin America and Eastern Europe, visiting to study local economic development, inter-governmental relations and the promotion of gender equality in public affairs.

The following statement was released today by the President of the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) Hans Cunningham in support of today´s call by the Tri-Service Special Purpose Committee to secure 20 MHZ of the 700 MHz broadband spectrum for use by public safety agencies.

The following statement was released today by the President of the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM), Hans Cunningham, on the appointment of the new Federal Cabinet.

Beginning on May 3 all parties in the House of Commons must turn campaign promises to cities and communities into action, says the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM).

The following statement was released today by the President of the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM), Hans Cunningham, in response to the NDP election platform.

The following statement was released today by the President of the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM), Hans Cunningham, in response to the Green Party election platform.

The Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) welcomes the Liberal Party´s commitments to rural Canada, in particular for its support for volunteer firefighters as well as its commitment to roll out rural broadband and its plan to increase access to medical services.

The following statement was released today by the President of the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM), Hans Cunningham, in response to the Conservative Party election platform.

FCM applauds today's commitment by the Liberal Party to invest an additional $275 million per year in a new, long-term affordable housing strategy.

The following statement was released today by the President of the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM), Hans Cunningham, on today´s expiry of the federal Affordable Housing Initiative (AHI) and the Residential Rehabilitation Assistance Program (RRAP).

Federal Party Leaders must not ignore the growing chorus of voices calling for a national agenda for strong cities and communities, says Hans Cunningham, President of the Federation of Canadian Municipalities.

The Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) today saluted municipal leadership in Earth Hour and congratulated communities on their broader efforts to improve air, water and soil quality and protect the climate.

Today´s budget delivered a vital commitment to cities and communities to develop a new, long-term federal infrastructure plan, says the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM).

The following statement was released today by the President of the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM), Hans Cunningham, to outline the priorities of Canada's municipalities for this year's federal budget.

The following statement was released today by the President of the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM), Hans Cunningham, on the occasion of International Women´s Day.

Today, the Federation of Canadian Municipalities applauded the NDP's call for a long-term strategy to strengthen Canada's transportation systems. 

Today's Economic Action Plan update shows that a national partnership among all orders of government is fueling Canada´s economic recovery and laying the foundation for future growth, says the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM).

On January 24, a policy symposium took place in Beijing, China, to facilitate knowledge sharing on four primary themes central to FCM´s Canada-China Technical Cooperation in Migrant Labour Rights Project.