TAMRMS#: B06
6.1
Information Item Only
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2026 Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) Conference
Presented by: Monty Killoh, Government Relations Advisor, Government/Indigenous Relations & Environment
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SUMMARY
This report provides an overview of the upcoming FCM Conference in Edmonton, scheduled to occur from June 4 to 7, 2026, which members of City Council may attend. The preliminary agenda for the conference is included as Attachment 1 to this report, a description of currently planned workshops is included as Attachment 2 to this report, and a description of planned study tours is included as Attachment 3 to this report.
ALIGNMENT TO COUNCIL DIRECTION OR MANDATORY STATUTORY PROVISION
N/A
BACKGROUND AND DISCUSSION
FCM is a national-focused municipal association with 2,100 member municipalities across Canada, representing 92 per cent of all Canadians. The organization engages with the Federal Government on behalf of its members to advance the needs and priorities of municipalities in federal policies and programs.
Each year, FCM hosts a convention at a different Canadian city, where all member municipalities are invited to discuss issues of municipal importance, share information and best municipal practices, and to network. This year, the conference is being held in Edmonton, meaning that municipal representatives from across the country - as well as federal elected officials - will be travelling to the Edmonton region to attend the conference. Some of the topics that will be discussed in various sessions include:
• Housing strategies
• Investment attraction
• Infrastructure sustainability & resilience
• New technologies that improve municipal service delivery
• Alternative municipal revenue solutions
Included as attachments to this report are the conference’s preliminary agenda, and descriptions of all scheduled workshops and study tours. It should be noted that the agenda has not been finalized and is still subject to change; attendees will be provided a link by FCM closer to the conference to download a “companion guide” smartphone app that will include the finalized agenda, as well as tools to sign-up for and track workshops and study tours.
The FCM conference may provide opportunities for Council to promote their Advocacy Priorities to the Federal Government, and it is expected that federal issues of municipal importance will be addressed by both FCM and attending Federal Representatives. Such topics could include:
• The ongoing impact of U.S. tariffs and global trade uncertainties on national, provincial and local economies;
• The impact of increased energy commodity prices on local government;
• Federal government priorities for municipalities, such as the “Buy Canadian Policy,” and a desire to lower municipal development charges;
• Federal policies with local impacts, such as housing, public safety, infrastructure, public transit, and climate & sustainability.
Similar to annual Alberta Municipalities Conventions, FCM Conferences include a “resolutions session,” where topics of municipal importance that are national in scope are discussed and voted on, with approved resolutions becoming part of FCM’s advocacy efforts with the Federal Government. The 2026 Resolutions were not published as of the writing of this report, however Administration will provide an update to Council on the resolutions when they are published closer to the date of the conference.
STAKEHOLDER COMMUNICATIONS OR ENGAGEMENT
FCM has partnered with BILD Edmonton Metro to deliver a study tour session that will include a tour of various locations in Downtown St. Albert. Titled “Metro Main Streets,” the tour will involve visits to both downtown St. Albert and downtown Stony Plain, and will be moderated by Mayor Olivieri on June 4th.
Administration will continue to coordinate with FCM and BILD Edmonton Metro to support this tour and associated content.
ALIGNMENT TO PRIORITIES IN COUNCIL’S STRATEGIC PLAN
N/A
ALIGNMENT TO LEVELS OF SERVICE DELIVERY
I.4.2 Intergovernmental Board, Committee and Task Force Support: provision of support to elected and non-elected officials at or for, all intergovernmental meetings. This includes the development of all Council Resolutions, Briefing Notes, and Agenda Reports, as well as the provision of formal and informal advice to City officials regarding all matters pertaining to intergovernmental boards, committees and task forces.
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Report Date: May 12, 2026
Author(s): Monty Killoh
Department: Government/Indigenous Relations & Environment
Department Director: Trevor Duley
Chief Administrative Officer: William Fletcher