MW Shares

04.03.24 | Cam Johnston and Kealy Dedman, of Peel Region Public Works, join us to discuss how significant investments are being made across Ontario in municipal infrastructure, and why its essential staff are properly trained for their implementation.

Certified Executive Coach Janice Otremba talks about shifts in the post-COVID workplace, what managers need to know, and her five lenses on humanistic leadership.

Chris Vandaele, a Supervisor in Distribution Protection at Enbridge Gas, talks about some of the most common dangers to utility lines and an innovative new initiative to prevent damage.

David Arbuckle, Executive Director of AMCTO, joins us to talk about Ontario’s upcoming municipal elections and AMCTO’s policy recommendations for the next provincial government.

Brian Peach, CAO for the Town of Pouch Cove, and Gord Chalk from MNP talk about municipal asset management, what it means, and what municipalities can do to efficiently manage their assets.

Wendy Gnenz, a partner at MNP Digital, joins us to discuss how to develop and implement digital strategies and how municipalities can manage their digital transformations.

Stuart Galloway from the Energy Services Association of Canada and Ashley Jones from Johnson Controls join us to discuss how Canadian municipalities can meet their energy and climate-related goals.

Nov 18, 2021 John Rathbone, President at Rathco ENG, and Adam Alaica, Director, Engineering & Development at Geosource Energy Inc., join us to discuss the municipal benefits of community geo-exchange systems, how municipalities can leverage them for social, environmental, and … [...]

12.05.23 | Cindy Moretti, founder and CEO of Prepared for Duty Recruitment Service Inc., joins us to talk about the challenges and rewards of recruiting people for first responder roles, such as firefighters and paramedics.  A Western Cities HR Conference … [...]

12.05.23 | Darel Baker, president and co-founder of Keldar Leadership, joins us to talk about how municipal leaders can create high-performance teams in order to attain goals and achieve their next level of success. A Western Cities HR Conference special … [...]

11.29.23 | Karolina Tatarenkova, account executive with Homewood Health Group, talks about how municipalities can better take care of their staff by offering assistance with mental health issues. A Western Cities HR Conference special edition.

Sponsored by Western Cities HR Conference 11.20.23 | Dawn McCoy, HR consultant and coach, joins us to talk about the top trending issues facing municipal human resources professionals such as how to plan for unplanned work. A Western Cities … [...]

Sponsored by Western Cities HR Conference 11.15.23 | Dr. Matthew Chow, Chief Mental Health Officer for Telus Health, joins us to talk about how municipal leaders can help their staff thrive in today’s fast-paced world by by paying attention … [...]

Sponsored by Western Cities HR Conference 11.08.23 | Anita Opoku, account manager with Perkopolis, joins us to talk about how municipalities can reward their staff and attract new hires by offering money-saving discounts. A Western Cities HR Conference special … [...]

Sponsored by Enbridge Gas 10.25.23 | Mark Wilson, Senior Advisor for Municipal Affairs at Enbridge Gas, joins us to talk about municipalities and the challenges they face in reaching net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.

10.18.23 | David Arbuckle, AMCTO executive director, joins us to talk about how new legislative changes are affecting municipal operations. We also discuss the importance of building a culture of communication and collaboration.

Sponsored by Enbridge Gas 09.27.23 | With more municipalities implementing green development standards, Venoth Jeganmohan and Alex Colvin of Enbridge Gas join us to talk about Savings by Design, a program that offers free design expertise and financial incentives … [...]

08.23.23 | Ehren Cory, CEO of the Canada Infrastructure Bank, joins us to talk about “sustainable financing and investing” in Canada’s municipal infrastructure.

08.16.23 | Brian Rosborough, executive director of AMO, joins us for a sneak peak of the upcoming conference, happening Aug. 20-23 in London, Ont.

08.09.23 | Returning to the podcast is journalist and former parliamentary press gallery president Richard Brennan, as we talk about cross-Canada municipal issues, politics, and more.

07.26.23 | Dave Harvey, founder and co-executive director of Park People, joins us to talk about “activating the power of parks” to build strong, healthy, and resilient communities.

07.12.23 | Returning to the podcast is journalist and former parliamentary press gallery president Richard Brennan, as we talk about cross-Canada municipal issues, politics, and more.

06.28.23 | Former Brampton councillor Jeff Bowman walks us through the breakup of Peel Region recently announced by the Ontario government and the politics around Brampton and Mississauga going their separate ways.

06.14.23 | Dawn Peters, Deputy Mayor of the Town of New Glasgow, N.S., joins us to talk about her municipality’s effort to offer public transit to rural residents and build affordable housing.

06.14.23 | Duane Nicol, CAO of the City of Selkirk, Man., joins us to talk about the innovative approach his municipality is taking to climate adaptation.

06.07.23 | Fraser Lake Mayor Sarrah Storey joins us to talk about her municipality’s effort to bring public transit to rural residents.

06.07.23 | City of Whitehorse Coun. Ted Laking joins us to talk about how his municipality is adapting to climate change by using an environmental lens on all its planning of new infrastructure.

05.31.23 | Markham Mayor Frank Scarpitti joins us to talk about the municipal fiscal framework, affordable housing, and the tech revolution happening in Markham, Ontario.

05.31.23 | Calgary Mayor Jyoti Gondek joins us to talk about the municipal fiscal framework, affordable housing, and Calgary’s innovative approach to downtown renewal.

05.24.23 | Diversity and inclusion expert Trish Mandewo, a City of Coquitlam councillor and co-founder and CEO of Synergy on Boards Consulting Group, joins us to discuss practical ways to get more Black, Indigenous, and People of Colour (BIPOC) communities involved … [...]

05.17.23 | The COVID-19 pandemic changed the way we work, recruit, and retain talent. HR expert Evert Akkerman joins us to discuss how the pandemic accelerated change in the municipal workplace.

05.10.23 | Returning to the podcast is journalist Richard Brennan, former press gallery president, as we talk about cross-Canada municipal issues, politics, and more.

05.03.23 | Orientation sessions for municipal council members are more important than ever before. Western University local government professor Kane Faucher joins us to talk about how any council can set itself up for success by embracing these sessions.

04.26.23 | Canadian municipalities are under increasing pressure to rename places and remove memorials. Joining us is Toronto lawyer Tim Lowman, who has delved into the history of the name Dundas, and is suggesting a different approach.

04.19.23 | Joining us is journalist Richard Brennan, former press gallery president, as we talk about cross-Canada municipal issues, politics, and more.

04.11.23 | Hybrid workplaces can be productive, but they are evolving and present challenges for leaders. Leadership strategist Rob Cooke joins us to talk about tips for leading a positive and productive hybrid workplace.

04.05.23 | Frivolous or vexatious use of the 911 emergency system is a growing problem that costs money and puts lives at risk. Nancy Polsinelli, Peel Region Commissioner of Health, Region of Peel, joins us to talk about what can … [...]

03.29.23 | Andrew Stobo Sniderman and Douglas Sanderson join us to talk about Truth and Reconciliation and the book they co-authored, “Valley of the Birdtail: An Indian Reserve, a White Town, and the Road to Reconciliation.” The hope is the … [...]

03.22.23 | Kate Graham, a professor and local government expert, joins us to offer a preliminary assessment of strong mayor powers, which we briefly saw in action under former Toronto mayor John Tory.

03.14.23 | Tammy Hwang, who went from being a staffer at the City of Hamilton to a councillor in the last municipal election, joins us to talk about what she has learned so far from her vantage point on both … [...]

03.08.23 | Taneen Rudyk, councillor in Vegreville, Alta. and president of the Federation of Canadian Municipalities, joins us on International Women’s Day to discuss measures being taken to promote gender parity and increased diversity on municipal councils.

03.01.23 | Veteran political advisor Bernadette Curtis joins us to talk about having a good relationship with constituents and key stakeholders and how doing this well is a key factor in the success of any elected official.

02.22.23 | Strategic communications expert Jim Maclean joins us to discuss the resignation of former Toronto mayor John Tory, using it as a case study on crisis management and identifying key takeaways for municipal leaders.

02.15.23 | Political veteran Drina Omazic joins us to talk about what every newly elected mayor or councillor should consider when setting up their office, hiring staff, and moving the needle on policy in order to have a successful first … [...]

02.08.23 | Clinician and author Alex Polgar joins us to talk about how a new approach is needed to get at the root causes of homelessness and how municipalities can protect people from living rough.

02.01.23 | Tyjondah Kerr, from the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation, joins us to discuss ways to boost equity and inclusion in your organization, while also outlining practical steps to take in order to create real change.

Cheryl Fort, mayor of the Township of Hornepayne, joins us to discuss what it is like being an Indigenous woman in municipal politics, her work with Good Roads, and the infrastructure challenges facing Northern Ontario.

Cultural strategist Ruthann Weeks discusses lessons learned from the pandemic and how important it is to support the mental health of municipal staff.

Michael O’Mara and Sydney Pigeon from Alberta Municipalities discuss lessons learned from the pandemic and how important it is to get regular input from their members.

Kimberly Armstrong, Deputy City Manager for Edmonton, and Dr Raeleen Manjak, Director of Human Resources for the City of Vernon, discuss lessons learned from the pandemic and how municipalities have adjusted to today’s back-to-work reality.

Change management specialist Dr. Mark DeVolder talks about his opening keynote at the 2022 Western Cities HR conference, Empowered Change: From Fear to Confidence, and strategies for the municipal sector to embrace change.

Dr. Matthew Chow, senior mental health officer at Telus Health, talks about the importance of health care in and beyond the COVID-19 pandemic.

HR expert Dawn McCoy talks about the recent Western Cities HR conference and some of the pandemic-related challenges facing organizations.

Sara Candiracci, Associate Director at Arup International Development, talks about her work developing child-friendly cities and the importance of play in modern urban environments.

Essex Power CEO John Avdoulos talks about efforts to create a real-time local electricity market in southwestern Ontario and how other municipalities can benefit.

Denys Volkov, executive director of the Association of Manitoba Municipalities, talks about the province’s upcoming municipal elections and some key races to watch.

Barb McKee, Recreation Superintendent for the City of Red Deer, talks about the city’s new Period Promise pilot project and how it ensures all residents have equitable access to hygiene products.

Steve Lafleur, a former senior policy analyst at the Fraser Institute, talks about his recent article on the challenges of running for city council.

Halifax Mayor Mike Savage talks about the challenges of homelessness in Halifax and the city’s efforts to resolve the issues and create affordable housing.

Passive House CEO, Chris Ballard, explains how passive house buildings are cheaper and greener to operate and how municipalities can spur their growth.

North Bay Mayor Al McDonald joins us to discuss the city’s very successful Move Up campaign plus this year’s upcoming municipal elections.

Elana Arthurs, President of AMCTO and CAO for the Township of Douro-Dummer, joins us to talk about Ontario’s proposed Strong Mayors, Building Homes Act, and why the bill is causing concern among municipal staff.

Justin McElroy, Municipal Affairs Reporter at CBC Vancouver, talks about BC municipal politics, his passion for making lists, and a unique welcome sign in the City of Quesnel.

Yukang Li from Ottawa Chinatown BIA talks about holding the city’s first-ever Night Market and offers some advice for hosting large public events.

Judy Dezell, Director of Local Authority Services and ONE Investment, talks about her work with the Association of Municipalities of Ontario and investment options that can support the needs of municipalities.

Sean Galbraith, President of Galbraith and Associates, talks about Ontario’s proposed Highway 413, why he’s opposed to the project, and a video he shot showing the route the highway will take.

Mayor Kevin Murdoch talks about Oak Bay’s recent ban on gas-powered lawn gear and the city’s future climate action plans.

Professor Shauna Brail from the University of Toronto’s Institute for Management and Innovation discusses the economic challenges facing municipalities today and how cities can continue to foster innovation in the future.

Professor Chris Barrington-Leigh from McGill University’s Institute for Health and Social Policy talks about his research on happiness and ways local governments can assess the wellbeing of their communities.

Professor Zac Spicer from York University’s School of Public Policy and Administration talks about his new paper on organizing Canadian local government and the relative benefits and costs of different forms of municipal governance.

Ian McCormack talks about his new book, The DNA of Great Leaders: Key Attributes of the Best Mayors and Board Chairs, and shares some of the advice he’s gotten from conversations with mayors across Canada and abroad. Get a copy of … [...]

Eric Lombardi, a founder of More Neighbours Toronto, talks about the social and environmental consequences of housing policy in the GTA and how municipalities can play a leading role in creating better housing policy.

Dr Gordon McIntosh talks about his latest book, What’s on First Base? Priority Setting in Local Government, as well as some of the common challenges municipal councils face and ways they can overcome them. Buy Gordon’s book here: What’s on … [...]

Renowned speaker, author, and planner, Angie Schmitt talks about the growing trends in pedestrian fatalities, the obstacles to change, and how municipalities can create more equitable roadways for all users.

Marie Morrison, Director of Built for Zero, talks about the campaign to end chronic homelessness, what it means to get to functional zero, and how municipalities can help.

London Public Library’s Chief Librarian, Michael Ciccone, talks about how libraries have adapted in recent years, the impact of COVID-19 on services, and the evolving role of public libraries as social centres for their communities.

Mehedi Khan, Founder of Muslims in Public Space, discusses Muslim identities in public spaces, the role of geometric shapes in Islamic architecture, and how growing up in Toronto’s Regent Park influences his work today.

President of Alberta Municipalities and Mayor of St. Albert, Cathy Heron, joins Municipal World’s Executive Editor Scott Vokey to talk about how policy proposals from the Alberta government could impact municipalities, and why her organization is opposed to creating a … [...]

Tim Coldwell, President of Chandos Construction, joins Municipal World Executive Editor Scott Vokey to talk about a new partnership that brings together architecture, construction, and engineering to build sustainably, and how the construction industry can provide opportunities to those from … [...]

Professor Joseph Lyons, Director of the Local Government Program at Western University, joins Municipal World Executive Editor Scott Vokey to talk about the four-day workweek and a recent example from the township of Zorra, ON.

Town of Aurora Mayor Tom Mrakas joins Municipal World Executive Editor Scott Vokey to talk about Ontario’s recent housing taskforce report and Aurora’s advocacy for more autonomy in land use planning.

Kristi Carlen, Strategic Business Leader for the Town of Newmarket, joins Municipal World Executive Editor Scott Vokey to talk about the Newmarket Dog Park, what goes into maintaining it, and lessons learned from a recent closure.

Laurie Stratton, Transit Manager for the City of Peterborough, joins Municipal World’s Executive Editor Scott Vokey to talk about the city’s new Transit Pilot Program allowing children under 12 to ride free and some of the key lessons for municipalities.

This week’s podcast provides an overview of Municipal World’s Best Municipal Flag Contest plus a brief introduction to our editorial team. Our team has selected 64 municipal flags from across the country. Each week you can vote for your favourites … [...]

Velma Morgan, Chair of Operation Black Vote Canada, joins Municipal World Executive Editor Scott Vokey to discuss the organization’s advocacy work and what municipalities can do to get more racialized people into local government.

Peter Smith, an investigative journalist and researcher with the Canadian Anti-Hate Network, joins Municipal World Executive Editor Scott Vokey to talk about recent convoy protests in Ottawa and the increase in hate rhetoric across Canada.

Julie Rogers, Communications Manager for the City of Prince George, joins Municipal World Editor Scott Vokey to discuss the city’s social media strategy and how a more conversational tone is amplifying the city’s online presence.

York region CAO Bruce Macgregor and Municipal World Executive Editor Scott Vokey discuss the effectiveness of virtual council meetings plus the challenges and benefits of the municipality’s shift to virtual meetings during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Banff Mayor Corrie DiManno talks to Municipal World Editor Scott Vokey about the town’s decision to lower speed limits and allow non-vehicle commuters to use all roads in Banff.

Senator Paula Simons speaks to Municipal World Editor Scott Vokey about her advocacy for Canadian municipalities and a recently launched Senate inquiry into the challenges faced by municipalities.

Dr Enid Slack from the University of Toronto’s Institute on Municipal Finance and Governance joins Municipal World Editor Scott Vokey to talk about her latest research on provincial-municipal equalization transfers and how governments can provide comparable levels of public services … [...]

Municipal World Editor Scott Vokey speaks with Collingwood Mayor Brian Saunderson and CAO Sonya Skinner about the 2020 judicial inquiry into the sale of town assets, some of the lessons learned, and what officials are doing to regain public trust.

This week, Amanda O’Rourke, Executive Director of 8 80 Cities, joins Municipal World Editor Scott Vokey to call for a human rights and trauma-informed approach to better addressing homelessness in parks.

Adam Found, Manager of Corporate Assets at the City of Kawartha Lakes and IMFG researcher, challenges the narrative on municipal development charges and their impact on housing affordability.

Bonnie Brown, Director of Economic Development for the City of Mississauga, joins Municipal World Editor Scott Vokey to talk about how the city’s economic development office is helping small businesses cope with the COVID-19 pandemic.

Dr. Luis Aguirre-Torres, Director of Sustainability for Ithaca, NY, joins Municipal World Editor Scott Vokey to explain how the city is going to achieve its bold ambition to decarbonize all buildings.

Chris Chen, Executive Director at Asset Management Ontario, joins Municipal World Editor Scott Vokey to talk about sustainable municipal asset management and the role of asset management in fighting climate change.

Dan Murphy, Executive Director of the Union of Municipalities of New Brunswick, joins Municipal World Editor Scott Vokey to talk about the COVID-19 pandemic’s impacts, UMNB’s new strategic plan, and the challenges facing local governments.