Canada’s municipal leaders are focused on delivering the local solutions, investments and innovations needed to directly improve the quality of life of their residents. FCM's Annual Conference and Trade Show will feature a broad selection of thoughtfully curated workshops, providing you with the tools and insights you need to deliver results in your community and support a better country for all.
Here are a few of the many workshops being offered. Stay tuned for more information!
Thursday, June 6
Pathways to progress: Global DEI benchmarks and equity impact statements
Municipalities are composed of diverse populations with varying ethnicities, cultures, religions, genders, abilities and backgrounds. Many regions are experiencing demographic shifts, with increasing diversity. Preparing for these changes through anti-racism, equity, inclusion (AREI) initiatives ensures that municipalities can effectively address the needs of evolving populations and enables them to tailor more inclusive services. This session will provide the business case for AREI, introduce the Global DEI Benchmarks for best practice and outline a process to determine the equity impact of municipal initiatives.
Shifting to resilient, net-zero communities: Leveraging the Green Municipal Fund
Explore the remarkable transformations across the country as communities—big and small—progress towards equitable, resilient and net-zero futures. Discover the factors that make a project successful, valuable lessons learned and how communities are advancing solutions to achieve environmental, social and economic goals. Learn how the Green Municipal Fund's financing, funding and capacity-building solutions can assist your community in turning sustainability goals into reality.
Friday, June 7
Towards complete communities: A conversation about sustainable land use planning
This session explores sustainable land-use planning by looking at how municipalities are increasing housing through densification and building complete communities with integrated public transit systems, workplaces, shops and municipal services. Engage with experts as they discuss innovative approaches to growing healthy, connected and sustainable neighborhoods.
Healthy workplaces: Attracting and retaining municipal talent
In a short time, the pandemic has reshaped our work paradigms and the delivery of municipal services, putting unprecedented pressure on the health and well-being of elected officials and municipal employees. As a result, this shift has increased demands on HR professionals and introduced challenges in recruiting and retaining municipal talent. Hear from our panelists as we break down these barriers and explore ways to enhance inclusive and healthy workplaces and advocate for robust mental health support systems.
FCM's Municipal Den
Join some of Canada's leading innovators and municipalities as they present their groundbreaking ideas to enhance municipal services. Each presenter will have five minutes to captivate the audience and ignite enthusiasm for their project, service or big idea. The event aims to foster collaboration, inspire action and propel Canadian communities forward.
Evolving practices: How to foster innovation within the municipal sector
Local governments are at the heart of citizen concerns. They provide essential services against a backdrop of escalating demands and constrained resources. To meet these challenges, municipal leaders and staff must shift toward more proactive, resilient and innovative approaches in public service delivery.
Join our panel discussion as we explore the importance of experimentation, pilot projects and strategic foresight in driving innovation within the public sector. We will also address strategies for enhancing adaptability and durability of municipal public service, ensuring it effectively responds to community needs.
Building thriving communities through third-sector partnerships
Across Canada, municipalities of all sizes and non-profit organizations are joining forces on innovative solutions for community development and support. Join us as we explore the partnerships between municipalities and non-profits in building vibrant, thriving communities, and learn about the role that YMCAs across Canada are playing to bridge funding gaps in community services.
ASK THE EXPERTS
So, you have a community tourism strategy. What’s next?
Many communities across Canada have a tourism strategy to guide their promotion and visitor attraction. Yet, with community priorities ranging from workforce development to protecting natural assets, how can municipalities better draw visitors while managing impacts on the ground?
Saturday, June 8
Exploring innovative models of mental health crisis response
The way municipalities respond to community crisis is changing. From big to small, rural to urban, municipalities and their police forces are rethinking how to address mental health and non-violent crises. Responding to community pressures, new services and partnerships have emerged to divert crisis calls from the police to community-based support. This panel will explore examples of crisis response models in Canadian municipalities and provide a look into the future of mental health challenges.
Capital as catalyst: Community adaptation to climate risks
The Green Municipal Fund is gearing up to introduce Financing Adaptation—a funding opportunity under its Local Leadership for Climate Adaptation initiative—amidst escalating climate risks nationally and globally. This workshop dives into innovative financial strategies for enhancing climate resilience by brokering strategic partnerships between local governments and private investors. Hear from investors, the Green Municipal Fund and communities leveraging private capital to expand public sector financial capacity. By working together to accelerate the necessary de-risking projects, local governments and private organizations can help safeguard communities of all sizes for the future.
Advocacy essentials: Championing your community in the election and beyond
The federal election is coming – are you ready? Join an interactive session on advocacy for communities of all sizes. This workshop is designed to provide you with insider tips and tricks, from preparing your advocacy toolkit to engaging candidates on the campaign trail and once they’re elected. You will walk out of this workshop with foundational tools to champion your municipality's needs confidently and effectively.