The Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) is introducing a new initiative to foster collaboration between cities and the federal government as Canada invests more in strengthening the country’s military capabilities.
During a recent press conference at the Edmonton Convention Centre, Rebecca Bligh, the FCM’s president and a Vancouver city councillor, emphasized the significance of addressing the evolving geopolitical landscape.
The objective of the task force is to facilitate cooperation among various stakeholders, such as RCMP detachments and chambers of commerce, to address any gaps in municipal support for the military.
Bligh highlighted the shifting times and the pressing need to enhance Canada’s defence posture as a crucial national priority.
Currently convening for its annual conference in Edmonton, the FCM, representing nearly 2,000 municipalities, advocates for local governance issues.
Responding to the federal government’s increased military spending, Bligh and other FCM officials, many of whom are municipal leaders, underscored the necessity of the new task force.
Last year, the Liberal government allocated an additional $81.8 billion over five years to reinforce the Canadian military.
Bligh stressed the importance of engaging local governments in the knowledge and delivery aspects of Canada’s commitment to allocate five percent of federal spending to defence by 2035, including 1.5 percent for infrastructure.
Mayor Andrew Knack of Edmonton expressed confidence in the city’s unique position to contribute significantly to Canada’s defence capabilities. He emphasized Edmonton’s strategic location and its expertise in innovation and technology sectors.
The newly established task force will be overseen by Coun. Will Cole-Hamilton from Comox, B.C., and Coun. Conny Glenn from Kingston, Ont., both bringing valuable insights from their backgrounds, including Cole-Hamilton’s upbringing in a military family.
They emphasized the crucial role of local governments in enhancing defence readiness and the vital role of community resilience in upholding national sovereignty.
The initiative aims to strengthen collaboration between municipalities and the federal government to support military bases and the well-being of armed forces members and their families.