A strong local voice for Saskatchewan municipalities returned to the national stage this past week as Humboldt city councillor Sarah McInnis was re-elected to the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) Board of Directors for a one-year term. The re-election took place during the annual FCM conference held in Ottawa, where municipal leaders from across the country gathered to discuss pressing urban issues and shape national policy.
Joining McInnis at the conference was Humboldt Mayor Rob Muench, representing the city. The event featured keynote addresses from notable federal leaders, including Prime Minister Mark Carney, Deputy Conservative Leader Melissa Lantsman, Green Party Leader Elizabeth May, and NDP MP Gord Johns.
The conference included a series of in-depth educational sessions, with McInnis attending workshops on housing strategies, climate resilience, the Green Municipal Fund (GMF), and initiatives supporting women in government, among others. These sessions aim to equip municipal leaders with practical tools and insights for addressing local challenges.
A key priority for McInnis during the conference was advocating for a modernized financial framework for municipalities.
“Our current funding model dates back to the ‘horse and cart’ era,” McInnis said. “Municipalities are responsible for 80% of the public infrastructure in this country, yet we receive only a fraction of the tax revenue. If we are going to stop increasing the financial burden on residents through higher property taxes, we need a new, equitable approach to federal funding.”
The call for reform comes at a time when many municipalities are struggling to maintain aging infrastructure while addressing new challenges such as affordable housing and climate adaptation.
To ensure responsible stewardship of local resources, McInnis noted that 75% of their travel costs to the FCM conference were covered by the Saskatchewan Urban Municipalities Association (SUMA), minimizing the financial impact on local taxpayers.
The FCM Board plays a critical role in shaping federal-municipal relations and ensuring that local governments have a voice in national policy decisions. With this re-election, McInnis will continue advocating for Saskatchewan communities at the highest level of municipal representation in Canada.