Brampton Regional Councillor Rowena Santos appointed as FCM’s Vice-Chair of the Standing Committee on Municipal Finance and Intergovernmental Arrangements for 2020-21

The Voice of Canada News:

The Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) announced that Brampton Regional Councillor Rowena Santos has been appointed by FCM President Garth Frizzell as Vice-Chair of the Standing Committee on Municipal Finance and Intergovernmental Arrangements for 2020-21. Councillor Santos will work in partnership with Committee Chair Mairin Loewen, Ward 7 Councillor for the City of Saskatoon.

FCM’s Standing Committees facilitate detailed debate and provide the FCM Board with recommendations on priority policy and program issues. Standing Committees require strong leadership in their Chairs and Vice-Chairs who guide the committees’ deliberations on issues and strategies related to their mandate, ensuring that all committee members have the opportunity to engage in focused and productive discussions. Each committee meets three times per year, in conjunction with the meetings of the Board of Directors.
 
The City of Brampton is focused on strengthening partnerships with Canadian municipalities and our federal partners, and will continue to advocate on key priorities for Brampton residents, including infrastructure, climate change and flood mitigation, transit expansion, the Hurontario-Main St. LRT, and COVID-19 relief.
 
In October 2020, Councillor Santos was elected to the Federation of Canadian Municipalities Board of Directors for a one year term.

FCM has been the national voice of Canada’s municipal government since 1901. Members include more than 2,000 municipalities of all sizes, from Canada’s cities and rural communities, to northern communities and 20 provincial and territorial municipal associations. Together, they represent more than 90 per cent of all Canadians from coast to coast to coast. Municipal leaders from across Canada assemble each year to set FCM policy on key issues.
 
Brampton’s City Council’s actions and Term of Council Priorities reflect those of many Canadian municipalities from coast to coast to coast, including affordable housing, transit, climate action, celebrating diversity and implementing anti-racism policy, and COVID-19 support for businesses and communities to restart the economy safely.

 Quotes

“As one of Canada’s fastest-growing cities, people are at the centre of everything we do. Our residents are among the youngest and most diverse in the country, a highly talented workforce to attract investment from across Canada and beyond. I am eager to get to work as Vice-Chair of Municipal Finance and Intergovernmental Arrangements to focus on strengthening the strong relationship between Canadian municipalities and the federal government. This year, in responding to COVID-19, we have clearly seen that greater collaboration can result in better results for our communities.”- Rowena Santos, Regional Councillor, Wards 1 & 5, City of Brampton; Member, FCM Board of Directors

“Brampton’s largest and most important projects are funded jointly in partnership with other levels of Government. When it comes to transit, flood mitigation, or the Safe Restart Agreement, we know that strong collaboration with our federal partners results in the best outcomes for Bramptonians. On behalf of Council, I’m pleased that Councillor Santos has been appointed to serve our City in this capacity as we partner to support families, businesses and Canada’s economic recovery, of which Brampton is a key contributor.”- Patrick Brown, Mayor, City of Brampton