Across Canada, growing numbers of citizens are asking serious questions about the role of local councils:
– Why do they feel more like corporate service hubs than representatives of the people?
– Who decides what gets funded, and on what terms?
– Are we still in charge of our own communities?
A recent video circulating widely online explores these questions — sometimes with speculation, but often tapping into a deeper truth: many residents no longer trust their local councils to act in their best interest. And they’re right to be concerned.
At KICLEI, we believe it’s time to address these issues head-on — with facts, lawful strategy, and a commitment to restoring democratic control at the local level.
This article is about cutting through confusion and offering real tools for action. Let’s begin.
🔎 Councils Are Incorporated — But Not “Private”
Yes, Canadian municipalities are legally incorporated under provincial law.
That doesn’t make them private businesses — but it does enable corporate-style governance when ratepayers don’t hold them accountable.
What to watch for:
CAO-style administrators making key decisions
Council deferring to “staff reports” over public input
Complex budgets with little transparency
✅ What you can do:
Request a copy of your municipal org chart
Use FOI to get salary breakdowns or contract terms
Ask: Who’s really setting policy — elected officials or staff?
🌐 Global Programs, Local Consequences
In Canada, many councils have signed on to programs from ICLEI, FCM, and UN-affiliated networks
These agreements bring:
Climate and land-use targets (net-zero, densification)
Funding incentives tied to international benchmarks
Reporting frameworks that bypass local values
❗ Often done without public consultation or debate
✅ What you can do:
Ask council to review and disclose all agreements signed with ICLEI or FCM
Use KICLEI’s Substack Reports to communicate concerns and information to local councils
Push for motions to withdraw from FCM and its UNSDG programs
💡 Real Paths Forward — Organize, Don’t Abdicate
Some online content recommends creating alternative “councils” or rejecting all government paperwork
While emotionally satisfying, these actions don’t hold up in court and can isolate good people from effective organizing
✅ Instead, take practical steps:
Form a ratepayer group and submit reports, delegation, motions or petitions
Show up at budget consultations and planning meetings
Use KICLEI’s deputation guides and resolution templates
🕊️ Localism Is Lawful — and It’s Working
True change comes from lawful civic pressure — not fringe paperwork
Rural communities are already winning:
Motions passed in Alberta, Manitoba, and Ontario
Growing public support for withdrawing from FCM and it`s ICLEI affilate programs
New alliances forming across party lines around sovereignty, consent, and cost
We don’t need to reinvent the wheel. We just need to start using it again.
Councils belong to the people — not to staff, not to global frameworks, and not to unelected interests. The more we show up, ask questions, and hold our representatives accountable, the more power returns to the communities it was meant to serve.
KICLEI Canada is here to help. Let’s restore local government — from the grassroots up.
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Important questions! Thank you for keeping this conversation current. . . most people still don't know any of this, but they're learning, thanks to you, and others, who are spreading the word :-)
Canadians in cities are so uninformed and apethetic.
Most have never even heard the FCM, let alone ICLEI. Thank you to the smaller comunities who are awake and showing leadership.