Federation of Canadian Municipalities unite local leaders

A playground that is safe and fun for kids of all ages, public security agents patrolling in environmentally friendly vehicles, major green spaces returned to public use and residential streets that are designed to slow down traffic making it safe for children to play – these are the dreams dancing through councillors’ heads upon returning from the Federation of Canadian Municipalities‘ annual general meeting.

Cote Saint-Luc Councillors Sam Goldbloom, Ruth Kovac, Steven Erdelyi, Allan Levine and I were in Saskatoon from June 1 to 4, and we returned eager to share best practices from other Canadian municipalities.

Councillors Ruth Kovac, Glenn J. Nashen and Sam Goldbloom discuss local issues with Cote des Neiges – NDG Borough Mayor Michael Applebaum (2nd from left)

We had a unique and privileged opportunity to sit in on plenary sessions to hear from the national leaders, including the Conservative  government’s infrastructure Minister Denis Lebel, NDP Leader of the Opposition Thomas Mulcair, Liberal Leader Bob Rae and Green leader Elizabeth May.  All political parties spoke of the necessity to continue the infrastructure program that allowed Cote Saint-Luc, as one example, to build a first-class Aquatic and Community Centre.  The government announced that steady funding of municipalities would continue to great applause.

Councillors Steven Erdelyi, Sam Goldbloom and Glenn J. Nashen meet with newly elected FCM president Karen Lebovici

We also took part in learning sessions on a wide array of topics from the environment to public safety, financing to waste management.  The study tours were particularly motivating.  Saskatoon has designed parks and playgrounds with incredible imagination to make them educational and entertaining and fully respecting the environment.  They built in maximum involvement from the community, in planning, and financing partnerships.  There was so much to learn from their examples that could benefit the residents of Cote Saint-Luc and I am looking forward to working on the redesign of our flagship Trudeau Park in creating an even better use of public spaces.

Saskatoon has done a remarkable job at revitalizing their waterfront along the North Saskatchewan River. This water play feature is a major drawing for young children to learn about the local history, geography and culture and to have a good time splashing around.

We are bringing back best practices from across the country as to how other municipalities deal with issues that we all have in common, whether it’s water management, roads and sewer, recreational facilities or disaster readiness.

The river passes through downtown and the suburbs. Saskatoon is in the midst of a 100 year development plan to rehabilitate the area for recreation and leisure.

I was particularly impressed with the human touch offered by the Saskatoon Police Service (SPS).  The officers, from Deputy Chief Parnel to Sargent Patrick Barbar (relocated from the Montreal area)  were friendly and approachable, pleased to teach anyone interested about all the SPS does for its local citizens.

Saskatoon Police Services has acquired an armoured personnel carrier used in operations where the safety of its officers is better protected and dangerous situations are able to be neutralized quicker.

The SPS demonstrated the effectiveness of its K-9 force, remote-controlled camera-mounted mini-helicopter used to get close to situations where their personnel might otherwise be in direct danger and explained how they work with landlords in high crime areas to create safer and more hospitable areas.

Councillor Ruth Kovac meets the friendliest Sargent in Saskatchewan, officer Patrick Barbar.

Similarly the Saskatoon Transit folks were friendly, personable and very helpful.  Granted they were shuttling 1500 local government officials around their city however it showed how all civil servants are the front line personnel interacting with our citizens and that their style of communications and expression plays an important role in creating a customer-service oriented city.

We elected a new FCM president to lead the organization for the next year.  Councillor Karen Lebovici of the City of Edmonton, Alberta is no stranger to Cote Saint-Luc.  She visits our city regularly as her parents live here.  We invited her to meet our council on an upcoming trip to discuss how our local government can continue to be a voice on the national stage.

Green Party leader Elizabeth May addresses municipal leaders on the role we play locally in protecting the environment for future generations

Outgoing President Berry Vrabanovic of Kitchener, Ontario gave a humourous and engaging speech about his work at the national and international level.  Watch this terrific short episode as Berry does a Rick Mercer style rant about on the importance of Canada’s communities and cities – the place we call home.

CJPAC Action Party 2012

This year Cote Saint-Luc Mayor Anthony Housefather, Councillors Ruth Kovac, Dida Berku,  Mitchell Brownstein, Mike Cohen and I attended the Canadian Jewish Political Affairs Committee (CJPAC) Action Party at the Arsenal in St. Henri.

Councillor Mike Cohen and I meet Member of Parliament Tyrone Benskin

CJPAC is a unique national, grassroots, independent organization whose mandate is to engage the community in the political process. CJPAC mobilizes the grassroots across the country, builds relationships with elected officials – of all political parties – and works for Jewish community interests, on a multi-partisan basis, during and between elections.

Former party organizers Mike Cohen, Sandie Sparkman and me. We were the leaders of the Jewish Adult Programming Society (aka JAPS) that threw large soirees in Montreal, Ottawa, Toronto and Calgary as well as trips to Israel in the late 80s and early 90s.

We met with several elected officials and their staff from all levels of government along with many young people interested in engaging with politicians.  You’d think that Mount Royal riding, encompassing Cote Saint-Luc, Hamsptead, Town of Mount Royal and a slice of Snowdon was up for grabs as former candidate Saulie Zajdel made the rounds talking up Stephen Harper‘s great support of Israel while the current MP’s (Irwin Cotler) Chief of Staff, Howard Liebman, worked the other side of the room.  Meanwhile, former Mount Royal Tory candidate Neil Drabkin was also in attendance easily working his way across the floor connecting with younger voters.

Mike Cohen and I meet up with former Montreal City Councillor and candidate for MP of Mount Royal Saulie Zajdel. Could Saulie be planning to run yet again?

CDN-NDG Borough Councillor Lionel Perez is a superb local leader who tells me that the Jewish General Hospital has done a marvelous job at promoting the current expansion to the neighbouring residents. Also in attendance were NDG-Lachine MP Isabelle Morin, with whom I recently had the pleasure of meeting one on one with JGH Executive Director Dr. Hartley Stern.  The NDP’s Pat Martin was also in from Winnipeg to experience the Action Party for the first time.  NDP big boss Thomas Mulcair did rounds of the packed industrial party place as did MP Justin Trudeau, DDO Councillor Herbert Brownstein, Hampstead Councillor (and possibly next Mayor?) Bonnie Feigenbaum and longtime political organizers Steve Pinkus, Jonathan Schneiderman and Jonathan Goldbloom.

Could Howard Liebman of the Liberal Party face off against Neil Drabkin of the Conservative Party in Mount Royal riding in the next federal election?

The Action Party is a terrific opportunity to turn young voters on to voting and becoming involved at all levels of government.  One word of advice to the organizers for next year (an I do feel “old” saying it):  Turn down the incredibly loud music so people can hear each other.  There’s hardly any dancing at all but lots of shmoozing where I struggled to lip read what was being said to me (I hope all good things of course).

All in all, a tremendous idea and well organized venture.  Bravo to the sponsors and committee.

Read more on Mike Cohen’s blog.

Read more in the CJN.