Sunday June 16, 2024 | LANGFORD, BC
CONFERENCE NOTES by Keith Yacucha, Councillor, City of Langford
POSTED by Mary P Brooke, Editor | Island Social Trends
Elected city mayors and councillors attend the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) conference each year. FCM is called ‘the national voice for Canadian local governments’.
Amidst the significant watermain break that has seized the City of Calgary in an emergency situation, the conference carried on. Hotels were considered ’emergency services’ but apparently the Langford team cut back on water use as best they could, said Langford Mayor Scott Goodmanson. Councillor Keith Yacucha said “all of us were asked to reduce water usage, showering, etc to bare necessary levels”.
Langford Councillor Keith Yacucha posted detailed notes (on LinkedIn) about the content of the conference presentations and discussions, which we have reposted here. This is a refreshing approach to informing Langford residents about what their leadership is doing in guiding directions for this fast-growing municipality as well as the cost for several councillors to attend the conference.
Media was not invited to attend, including the Q&A session with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau who arrived and departed Calgary without fanfare, which was interesting during a major municipal crisis (the watermain break causing a city-wide water shortage).
Social media tag: #FCM2024AC
FCM Conference Day 1 – June 5, 2024
I’ve arrived in Calgary for the 2024 Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) Conference. The theme this year is “Redefining Our Future.” Before diving into the conference updates, let’s highlight some exciting work happening alongside this trip.
Upon arrival, we connected with local developers pioneering middle-density and infill housing. They’re working with existing landowners to leverage their equity, allowing development without losing ownership. This approach helps residents stay on-site, gently densifying neighborhoods with homes for family, children, or new neighbors. It supports affordable housing by eliminating high land acquisition costs and empowering homeowners to maintain control over their property. I’m optimistic about exploring this model’s potential in Langford.
Addressing the Elephant in the Room:
Some have asked about the costs of this conference. The conference and continuous learning budget is $72,000, or 0.13% of the total budget. The cost of this conference is $1,100, covering study tours, workshops, and most meals for June 7-9. For other days, the council has a per-diem for food totaling about $60 a day. We secured a mid-rate hotel at $199+tax per night within walking distance of the convention center, significantly cheaper than most downtown hotels.
While these conferences are an expense (just under $2 per household per year), they offer tremendous benefits. They promote Langford on provincial and national stages, attract new businesses, engage with senior government officials, and provide insights into grant opportunities and best practices. These benefits help grow Langford for the future, keeping us current with industry trends and leading technologies.
I am grateful for the opportunity to attend these conferences, as they provide significant returns for our community.
What’s Next?
The FCM Conference kicks off today (June 6th) with registration, orientation, study tours, and workshops. I’ll share today’s takeaways in a separate post this evening.
We’ve also met several Calgary developers known for their social and community engagement, innovative designs, and public spaces. I’m eager to explore potential partnerships that could benefit Langford. Our local development industry is strong, but fostering competition can drive optimal benefits. I’m working to attract these exceptional developers to help tackle the affordability crisis and enhance Langford’s vibrant, accessible public spaces.
Conference Summary – Day 1 [June 6, 2024]
Morning Workshops:
Started with “Futures Thinking,” focusing on long-term community health. Key points: resilient and flexible planning, and regular evaluations to ensure goals stay relevant. Very reassuring to see many of our processes and upcoming plans included as best practices! Despite this, there were still great take aways to incorporate into our upcoming plans
Best practices in strategic and asset management planning were highlighted, aligning well with our current and upcoming plans. Emphasis was placed on the need for nimble and resilient plans in a “VUCA” world (Volatile, Uncertain, Complex, Ambiguous).
Lunch Networking:
Connected with fellow Langford councillors. Highlights included a tour of the Planet Youth facility, a community-run youth center, and a session on Transit Oriented Developments in Calgary, utilizing city land to create diverse, dense housing and vibrant public spaces.
Afternoon Seminars:
Attended a panel on “Shifting to Resilient Net-Zero Communities,” featuring:
– Rossland’s new city hall with workforce housing and green spaces.
– Bridgewater’s “Energize Bridgewater” program, promoting energy efficiency.
– A small town in Central Alberta financing green infrastructure, repaid through property taxes.
The session concluded with announcements of $800 million for green initiatives and $530 million for climate leadership, covering major planning and implementation costs.
BC Regional Caucus:
Discussed local concerns and received updates on FCM’s achievements. Highlights included:
– Record-breaking attendance at FCM 2024, with no virtual option.
– Increased funding for several funds, presenting significant grant opportunities.
– Key lobbying efforts for health care reform and fair municipal finance, addressing the opioid crisis and property tax issues.
Conference Day 2 Preview:
Day 2 features welcome events and addresses from the Mayor of Calgary, the Federal Housing Minister, the Prime Minister, and opposition shadow cabinet members. Follow-up post on June 7th.
Conclusion:
Over $3 billion in grants announced, potentially funding Langford’s strategic objectives without affecting property taxes. Identified several suitable projects, ensuring greater amenities for Langford residents. This enhances community resilience, sustainability, and overall well-being without further burdening taxpayers.
Conference Summary – Day 2 [June 7, 2024]
Morning Session:
Day 2 of the FCM Conference began with keynote speeches. Calgary Mayor Jyoti Gondek discussed the fiscal challenges municipalities face due to rapid growth and the importance of a municipal growth framework to address the housing crisis.
Liberal Housing Minister Sean Fraser emphasized long-term planning for securing federal funding, noting billions in grants for municipalities in the coming years. Conservative MP Scott Aitchison critiqued current government actions without offering alternatives.
A key theme was the role of federal grants for managing growth and the need for robust long-term plans to secure these funds. Such plans also drive business stability and economic development. Langford is developing these vital plans, and residents can stay informed at Letschatlangford.ca.
Afternoon Workshops:
The afternoon featured a workshop on Transit Oriented Developments (TOD) with contributions from Ottawa and Saskatoon councillors and a Dream Developments representative. They discussed maximizing public land use alongside private development to create dense, vibrant neighborhoods with commerce, parks, green space, and recreation.
Despite Langford’s limited public land, valuable lessons were shared. Ottawa’s councillor emphasized the importance of long-term planning for TODs, prioritizing community benefits over immediate political gains. Saskatoon’s councillor highlighted the financial strain of sprawling developments and advocated for infill development to create economically sustainable, transit-oriented communities.
The panel endorsed a “Good Actor Policy” to prioritize development applications from developers who align with the planned vision and mitigate construction impacts. This concept mirrors Langford’s upcoming “Construction Impact Management Strategy,” to be reviewed by the SDAC committee on June 10th. Langford residents are encouraged to participate in this meeting!
Prime Minister’s Q&A:
The day concluded with a speech and Q&A session with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. Despite technical difficulties, the session featured significant questions and robust responses, making it a valuable interaction.
Preview of Tomorrow:
Tomorrow’s agenda includes voting on FCM resolutions on topics like biodiversity protection and safeguarding elected officials from harassment. This will be followed by a tour of East Village and the Calgary Library, and workshops on AI in municipalities and accessing capital for climate-resilient communities.
Conclusion:
The vital importance of planning was the overarching theme. Speakers urged elected officials to prioritize long-term community interests over short-term political gains. Robust, long-term planning is essential for accessing federal funding and fostering resilient community development. Langford residents are encouraged to participate in this planning process and stay updated on engagement opportunities at Letschatlangford.ca.
Conference Summary – Days 3 and 4 [June 8 & 9, 2024]
Morning Session:
The day began with a tour of the City of Calgary Public Library. This stunning building is a true community hub, featuring a performing arts theater, coffee shop, large atrium, children’s section with an indoor play area, teen center with games and study spaces, meeting rooms, breakout rooms, classrooms, podcast recording rooms, video editing rooms, a tech-mentorship program, newcomer services, and free mental health support.
Afternoon Workshops:
Workshop 1: AI in Municipalities
The first workshop focused on AI in municipal contexts, featuring speakers from Kelowna and Laval. Laval has implemented AI for transcription services and data input, significantly increasing efficiency. Kelowna, with a longer history of AI use, emphasized the importance of having a clear AI strategy and ethical policies. They highlighted how AI has reduced processing times, such as speeding up building permit approvals to nearly instantaneous. An industry expert discussed the benefits of generative AI for policy evaluation and development, showcasing its potential to revolutionize municipal operations by analyzing global policies and providing tailored suggestions.
Workshop 2: Climate Change Adaptation
The second session discussed using capital to adapt to climate change. A panel including representatives from Halifax, Quebec City, The Cooperators insurance, and Rocky View County, emphasized the financial impacts of climate change on Canadian municipalities, estimated at over $5 billion annually. The panel advocated for investing in climate-resilient infrastructure, noting that every dollar invested today could save $13 to $14 in the future. They shared strategies for retrofitting existing infrastructure and ensuring new constructions are climate-resilient.
Final Day [June 9, 2024]
The last day focused on governance within FCM, starting with the AGM, election of table officers, and board of directors’ ratification.
The day concluded with a powerful seminar on the rising harassment of elected officials. Delegates shared alarming stories of threats and intimidation. Federal data shows that harassment has increased by 800% at the federal level over the past five years. This issue underscores the need for better protection and support for elected officials, highlighted by the recent passage of Bill 57 in Quebec since close to 10% of elected officials quit.
Conclusion:
The FCM conference provided numerous networking opportunities and highlighted the importance of long-term planning for community success.
In Langford, we are committed to completing several inaugural plans by the end of our term. We invite community input through letschatlangford.ca to ensure these plans reflect both best practices and community vision. Your participation and feedback are crucial as we work towards these goals.
===== ABOUT ISLAND SOCIAL TRENDS:
Island Social Trends publishes ‘news behind the news’ through a socioeconomic lens with political analysis. Editor Mary P Brooke has been presenting IslandSocialTrends.ca since 2020.
Precursor publications were MapleLine Magazine (2008-2010), Sooke Voice News (2011-2014), and West Shore Voice News (2014-2020) which have been permanently archived at the Sooke Region Museum.
Ms Brooke has reported alongside the BC Legislative Press Gallery since covering the COVID pandemic starting in 2020. She has been a Langford resident since 2017.