NEWS RELEASE
TOWN OF COLLINGWOOD
*************************
Councillor Kathy Jeffery has been re-elected by members of the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) to serve on its national board of directors. As the national voice of local governments, FCM is playing a critical role in supporting cities and communities through the COVID-19 pandemic—while advocating federally for a locally rooted national economic recovery.
“Just like here in Collingwood, frontline local governments across the country are working hard to keep people safe through this pandemic,” said Councillor Jeffery. “FCM’s advocacy has helped secure the federal support we’ve needed to protect essential services, families and local businesses. As the pandemic progresses, and as we gear up for Canada’s recovery, we need municipal voices from every corner of our country to be heard at the federal level. As an FCM board member, I’ll be working hard to keep our local priorities front-and-centre.”
“Councillor Jeffery has represented Collingwood and Ontario on the FCM board of directors for five terms spanning over eight years,” said Mayor Brian Saunderson, Town of Collingwood. “During that time, she has served in leadership roles, chairing numerous committees including Municipal Finance & Intergovernmental Arrangements, Environmental Issues & Sustainable Development, Governance Working Group, International Trade and Economic Development. Councillor Jeffery is a strong advocate for the role and importance of small urban communities, such as Collingwood, in our Canadian Federation.”
FCM’s elections concluded on October 15 at its first-ever virtual annual general meeting, attended by local leaders nationwide. In addition to selecting the 75-seat Board of Directors—including Councillor Jeffery, FCM members acclaimed Garth Frizzell as their President for 2020-2021. The City of Prince George councillor succeeds Halifax Regional Municipality councillor Bill Karsten, as he completes his term and moves to the role of past president.
“This FCM Board team is primed and ready to deliver for members,” said incoming President Frizzell. “Job number one is to ensure municipalities of all sizes have the right tools to keep Canadians safe. That includes working with federal partners to tackle urgent challenges, in ways that also lay ground for the recovery Canadians deserve. We will come out of this pandemic with a better Canada—more resilient, sustainable and inclusive—our cities and communities need to be empowered to help to lead the way.”
“How we respond to today’s urgent pandemic challenges will shape tomorrow’s economic recovery, and this needs to start at the local level.” said Councillor Jeffery. “Communities like ours where people are working from home, wearing masks to the grocery store, and sending their kids back to school. It's where small businesses grow and thrive. My FCM colleagues and I know we can make a difference because we are the government closest to people’s daily lives.”
The Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) is the national voice of local government, with nearly 2,000 members representing more than 90 per cent of Canadians.
Councillor Jeffery has served on the FCM National Board of Directors for eight one-year terms since 2005. She has Chaired the FCM National Standing Committee on Municipal Finance and Intergovernmental Relations five of those years and received additional Presidential appointments for leadership roles on Task Forces and Working Groups during her tenures.
**************************
