Ottawa to Host FCM Annual Conference: A National Spotlight on Local Leadership

Ottawa will take centre stage as host of the 2025 Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) Annual Conference and Trade Show, set to run from May 29 to June 1 at the Rogers Centre. This major event will bring together over 2,500 delegates, including more than 1,500 elected officials from municipalities across the country, making it one of the most significant gatherings of local government leaders in Canada.

As the City of Ottawa’s representative to FCM and the organization’s First Vice-President, I’m thrilled to welcome colleagues, partners, and advocates from every corner of Canada to our nation’s capital. With over 2,200 member municipalities, FCM serves as the national voice for local governments, from large cities to small rural and northern communities, working together to shape the policies that directly affect Canadians where they live.

This year’s conference comes at a pivotal time. With a new federal government in place, including Prime Minister Mark Carney—who now represents the Ottawa riding of Nepean—there’s real momentum behind rethinking how we support municipalities on the front lines of housing, infrastructure, public safety, and social services.

Among the major themes we’ll be addressing in Ottawa:

• The urgent need for affordable and attainable housing, including how municipalities can help deliver on the ambitious national target of building 500,000 new homes a year

• The growing crisis of homelessness, which we believe should be treated as a national emergency

• Infrastructure investments that match the needs of fast-growing communities

• Reducing interprovincial trade barriers to help local economies thrive

• Continued collaboration between all levels of government to support smart, sustainable growth

The conference also provides a vital space for federal-municipal dialogue. I’ve been working overtime with our federal partners to ensure that Ottawa’s voice—and the voice of all municipalities—is at the table during key policy discussions. Whether it’s during formal meetings or informal conversations with ministers and MPs, being in the capital offers us a front-row seat to influence change.

This year’s program includes regional caucus meetings, policy workshops, a trade show, and a local Indigenous artisan market, along with engagement from organizations such as Destination Canada, the Canadian Labour Congress, and CUPE. These sessions are about more than policy—they’re about connecting, learning from each other, and driving collective action.

We’re also continuing to build stronger relationships across borders. FCM has recently engaged with the National League of Cities (NLC) in the United States to discuss shared economic pressures, trade issues, and the broader impacts of geopolitical uncertainty.

Looking ahead, I’m honoured to be stepping into the role of President of FCM in 2026, when the annual conference will be held in Edmonton. It will mark the first time in over eight decades that someone from Ottawa has taken on this national leadership role. It’s a tremendous privilege, and I’m committed to using it to advocate for cities like ours and the millions of Canadians who rely on their local governments every day.

For the full article with quotes, background, and event details, you can read the full story published by Ottawa Compass here:
Full Story – Ottawa Compass

Ottawa is ready to lead, host, and contribute to a better future for all communities across Canada.