BURNABY – At its 75th Annual General Meeting, held June 3 in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Burnaby councillor, Sav Dhaliwal, was elected to the Board of Directors of the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM).
A 75-memberboard (that includes eight British Columbia members) is elected to a one-year term and is responsible for developing policy to guide the Federation in its interaction with the government of Canada.
Dhaliwal is serving his fourth consecutive term as a councillor in the City of Burnaby. He is a member of the Metro Vancouver Board of Directors and sits on the Executive of the Union of British Columbia Municipalities (UBCM) as a representative of the Vancouver Metro Area. He has also served as president of the Lower Mainland Local Government Association.
“I am very honoured to be elected a director to the board of this very important and influential federation of local governments,” says Dhaliwal. “The FCM is committed to improving and strengthening the environment and quality of life for all Canadians. It is an organization that ensures local interests are represented on significant national issues that have regional impacts. As a member of the Board, I look forward to advancing the FCM’s goals – for the benefit of Burnaby citizens and the citizens of all Canadian municipalities.”
Burnaby Mayor Derek Corrigan, a former director of the FCM, says “Councillor Dhaliwal is an extremely hardworking councillor who helps ensure our city’s interests are represented locally, regionally, provincially and federally. His balanced approach to issues and his significant experience as a councillor and as an executive member of many regional, provincial and national boards, will serve the FCM membership well. Burnaby Council recognizes that involvement in influencing regional, provincial and federal policy is critical to serving our citizens well. The FCM provides an important forum for ensuring local issues are considered in federal policy development and implementation. Councillor Dhaliwal’s role as an FCM director will help ensure citizens’ interests in Burnaby and our province are well represented.”
A noteworthy resolution debated and passed at this year’s AGM calls on the federal government to consult with all concerned – including local governments – prior to adopting any proposed changes to the Fisheries Act, to ensure adequate review and debate of the proposed changes.
The Annual General Meeting and Conference was attended by more than 1,500 Canadian mayors and councillors. Keynote speakers at the convention included Denis Lebel, Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities and Minister of the Economic Development Agency of Canada for the Regions of Quebec; Thomas Mulcair, leader of the Official Opposition and the NDP; Bob Rae, leader of the Liberal Party; and Elizabeth May, leader of the Green Party.
