Puslinch Mayor Brad Whitcombe is going to seek election later this year to the national board of directors for the Federation of Canadian Municipalities.
In making the announce-ment on April 16, Whitcombe told council he has found his work as a committee member on the FCM challenging and rewarding, and would like to become Puslinch’s elected representative on the 75-member board of directors.
He added if he is not successful he can still retain his committee status. Whitcombe is currently a member of three FCM standing committees: international relations, municipal finance and intergovernmental arrangements, and rural forum.
The mayor explained that Puslinch council would have to cover his annual expenses as part of the deal, including airfare, accommodations, and meals during conferences.
He concluded by saying the more he gets to know about the FCM the more he is convinced it is one of the finest municipal associations in existence, and he wanted to know what council thought of his idea.
His fellow councillors offered Whitcombe verbal support and council is expected to pass a motion to that extent at its meeting next week.
Councillor Matthew Bulmer asked about the possible financial impact if Whitcombe is elected, suggesting it could be about $10,000 per year. Whitcombe said the costs will likely be less than that that – about $1,000 or so for each quarterly meeting he would have to attend.
Councillor Susan Fielding asked if a more prominent role on the FCM would take the mayor away from the township more often.
Whitcombe replied the board position is for a one-year term only and it would not require any more time than he was away the past year as a committee member. In fact, he said, over the last year he has chosen to forego other conferences in favour of FCM meetings, so the impact on local matters would be negligible.
Councillors Don McKay and Dick Visser said they are in favour of the mayor’s plan.
“Go for it,” Visser said.
* * *
According to its website (www.fcm.ca), the FCM has been “the national voice of municipal government since 1901.” With more than 1,600 members, it represents the interests of municipalities on policy and program matters that fall within federal jurisdiction.
Members include Canada’s largest cities, small urban and rural communities, and 18 provincial and territorial municipal associations. Municipal leaders from all parts of Canada assemble annually to establish policy on key issues. The National Board of Directors meets quarterly to review policy and program matters.
The FCM is “dedicated to improving the quality of life in all communities by promoting strong, effective and accountable municipal government.” Along with its policy interests, FCM remains a professional association serving elected municipal officials.
