Cochrane Mayor Jeff Genung says it’s increasingly clear that municipalities are largely on their own when it comes to solving local challenges.
Genung attended the annual Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) conference in Ottawa from May 29 to June 1, joining more than 2,000 local leaders and officials from across the country.
He says Cochrane should continue to utilize what funds they obtain from federal programs, but isn't optimistic about further help with infrastructure challenges.
“It’s becoming clear to me that Cochrane needs to find a way to be less reliant on other levels of government,” said Genung.
He said Prime Minister Mark Carney made it clear his top priorities are the trade war, global security and rebuilding national pride, and that municipalities shouldn't expect any relief.
“We’re going to have to continue building our community with our own two hands, and that’s going to mean finding new ways to generate revenue without putting more burden on taxpayers.”
It's the mayor's first opportunity to hear Prime Minister Mark Carney live during his half-hour moderated event at the conference.
"I was impressed, to be honest. I think he's saying the right things. He's talking about building a stronger United Canada, and those are words that I was eager to hear. It was refreshing..But I guess like everyone else, I'm waiting to see how that plays out."
With Alberta Premier Danielle Smith making waves across the nation, Genung's nametag drew attention.
“There were a lot of conversations about separation, justice, and what’s happening in the West,” he said. “Almost every single person I talked to said, ‘We love Alberta. We need you guys to stay. It’s got to be a united country, and we’ll get through this together.’ It was really good to hear.”
That sentiment echoed the conference’s theme, “Stronger, Together.”
“This year’s conference was a powerful reminder of what we can achieve when local leaders come together with a shared purpose,” said FCM president Rebecca Bligh in a release. “We’re laying the groundwork for a national prosperity partnership—one that aligns governments around shared priorities and empowers municipalities to deliver real results.”
Back in Cochrane, Genung says finding ways to fund infrastructure without relying on taxpayers will remain a major challenge—but it’s possible.
Off-site levies have been key in building new infrastructure, however, those costs are passed on to new homebuyers, contributing to affordability issues.
While cautious about using the term “innovative”—which he says has become a buzzword—Genung said the town will need to explore other options. That could include re-examining utilities or its current study into the potential of converting waste into energy, something that is being funded by a provincial government.
“These are bigger initiatives and will cost a lot up front, but I think they could prove very beneficial for Cochrane’s long-term economic health.”