Open Letter to the Council of the City of Peterborough to respectfully decline the endorsement of Councillor Kevin Duguay to Federation of Canadian Municipalities Board of Directors

To: Members of the General Committee 

From: Maggie Braun, Canada's Councils on Local Issues  (CCLI)

Date: April 22, 2024  

Report: CCLI Report24_003 on Report COU24-003 the Federation of Canadian Municipalities      (FCM) 2024 Election –  City of Peterborough Representation 

CCLI Recommendations

Sent on behalf of Peterborough's Canadian Council on Local Issues, a citizen led network dedicated to ensuring that sustainable development policies, while important, do not deliberately or inadvertently disrupt or restrict our cherished Canadian way of life.

While we appreciate Councillor Duguay willingness and dedication to representing the interest of Peterborough we recommend that the Council of the City of Peterborough respectfully decline the endorsement of Councillor Kevin Duguay to Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) Board of Directors for the period starting in June 2024 and ending June 2025. 

While we acknowledge his qualifications, we are apprehensive that his appointment may prioritize the interests of Ottawa and international organizations over those of our city. We hope that the Council of the City of Peterborough and the FCM will consider our concerns and take them into account when planning their goals moving forward.

Peterborough's Local Council on Local Issues welcomes Councillor Kevin Duguay to our Board of Directors to discuss sustainable development policies and their potential impact on our Canadian way of life.

Background

The Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) advocates for the interests of Canadian municipalities and also represents various international organizations and lobbyist groups within local communities. In 1990, the FCM shifted its focus from being a "national voice for local governments" to developing documents for the 1992 Earth Summit held in Rio de Janeiro. Mayor Jean D`ore of Montreal was the representative of FCM and endorsed a global agenda for the 21st century. 

Global agendas often fail to address the unique challenges faced by local communities, despite their noble intentions. The FCM primarily focuses on promoting progressive policies to achieve sustainable development goals such as Agenda 2030, Agenda 2050, and adopting a net-zero emissions target by 2050. However, these policies may require adjustments in the lifestyle of residents of member municipalities, and may have unintended consequences that directly affect the Canadian way of life, such as property ownership, single-family homes, private car ownership, individual travel choices, and privately owned farms. Implementation of these policies carries a cost in terms of council and staff time and resources, public funds and assets, rural population growth, and the acceleration of the urban crisis. Furthermore, mobility, privacy, water and property rights, as well as food and energy security, may also be impacted. Therefore, the Council's participation in sustainable development and net-zero programs may not align with the best interests of the city.

It is important to note that, according to Section 92 of the Constitution, municipalities fall under the exclusive jurisdiction of provinces. However, we have observed that the federal government has been involved in municipal affairs through FCM. This could potentially pose a challenge to our local and provincial governance. Last November, the Council of the Federation expressed concerns over Ottawa's direct agreements with municipalities, which bypass provincial governments. Evidence of this can be found in the City of Orillia's recent letter in response to a delegation request on net-zero action items. In this letter, the council states that it now considers its decision-making under United Nations directives because Prime Minister Justin Trudeau aims to achieve Agenda 2030.

It is imperative that the Council of the City of Peterborough prioritize the allocation of municipal funds to meet the needs of the residents. The estimated cost for participating in the FCM Board of Directors ranges from $3,000 to $10,000. Property tax increases have significantly impacted residents, resulting in increased vulnerability among certain members of our communities, while funding has been allocated for initiatives like bike lanes and EV charging stations. It's time for the council to take bold actions and ensure that the average local taxpayer can see significant improvements in their daily lives. The municipal funds must be utilized solely for the city's development, and not for any external or ideological motives. The Council of the City of Peterborough must take responsibility and prioritize spending the funds on fulfilling the needs of the city.

The Local Council on Local Issues in Peterborough would like to extend an invitation to Councillor Kevin Duguay to join our Board of Directors, subject to approval by the City of Peterborough. Our monthly meetings focus on ensuring that sustainable development policies are implemented without disrupting or restricting the Canadian way of life that we cherish.

Further Reading

Council of the Federation, November 5-6, 2023

Exclusive Powers of Provincial Legislatures

A Municipal Primer on the United Nations Conference 

 on Environment and Development

Submitted by, Margaret Hope Braun, 

Founder of the Canadian Council on Local Issues Initiative

Author: Margaret Hope Braun

Phone: *** *** ****

Email: gather2030@protonmail.com

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