Brampton Regional Councillor Rowena Santos Re-elected to Federation of Canadian Municipalities Board for Fifth Term Enabling Advancement of Brampton and Municipal Priorities

The Voice of Canada :

Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) members have re-elected Brampton Regional Councillor Rowena Santos to its board for a fifth consecutive term. Councillor Santos secured one of the nine available spots on the board, chosen by municipal peers from a pool of 18 candidates.

FCM has been the national voice of Canada’s municipal government since 1901. Members include more than 2,000 municipalities from across the country, representing more than 90 per cent of all Canadians. The Federation of Canadian Municipalities’ Annual Conference and Trade Show was held in Calgary from June 6 – 9, 2024, with this year’s theme being Redefining our Future.

Councillor Santos has served on the board of FCM since 2020. In 2023, she was appointed as the Chair of FCM’s inaugural Finance, Infrastructure and Transportation Committee, helping to lead important work such as FCM’s recently published paper to advocate for a new Municipal Growth Framework. She has previously served as Vice Chair of the Anti-Racism and Equity Committee and has been an active member since its inception. Last year, Santos was recognized as an FCM trailblazer in her work to elevate women’s issues and action to end toxic harassment towards elected officials.

Each year, the Conference provides an opportunity for the City of Brampton to discuss key issues and to advocate for support and funding from the Federal Government. City advocacy priorities for 2024 include:

Support for increasing municipal fiscal sustainability through a new growth framework that helps to build communities.

• Delivering housing options and thriving communities for Brampton residents.
• Addressing affordability and the urgent needs of food banks.
• Increasing support for women’s shelters.
• Sustainable and predictable funding to support infrastructure and transit.
• Investments to advance climate change adaptation and resilience.
• Stimulating economic development and innovation.
• Enhancing community safety.
• Combating the harassment of elected officials.

More information on the City’s advocacy is available on the City of Brampton’s website​.

​Quotes

“It is a privilege to continue to serve on the FCM Board. A key priority for the coming term will be establishing a new municipal growth framework and urging the federal government to properly fund the crucial next generation of infrastructure that Canadians will rely on. With a new, diverse, predictable and more equitable way to fund local governments, municipalities will be better positioned to give Canadians the quality of life they expect and deserve. I look forward to working with fellow board members and continuing Brampton’s work with FCM for another term.” 
Rowena Santos, Regional Councillor, Wards 1 and 5; City of Brampton

“We are very fortunate to have the voice of Councillor Santos on the board at FCM, moving important pieces forward that will better communities across the country. At the recent FCM annual conference, she championed three resolutions—addressing the urgent needs of food banks, increasing support for women’s shelters and combating the harassment of elected officials. Her re-election enhances our capacity for federal and national advocacy, ensuring that Brampton’s priorities are heard and addressed at the highest levels. On behalf of Brampton City Council, I congratulate Councillor Santos for being yet again elected to serve on the FCM Board of Directors for another year.”  
Patrick Brown, Mayor, City of Brampton