Motion: Benchmarks for Staffing Councillor’s Office
Proposed by: City X
Whereas city councillors ability to fulfill their responsibilities is impaired without adequate office staff to assist them with constituency work, to evaluate and respond to city and other government reports, and to prepare for committee and council discussions.
Whereas many Canadian cities have undergone large amalgamations and at the same time have had new responsibilities such as housing, public health, employment and social services imposed by the province.
Whereas it is not reasonable to expect city councillors to serve a larger population and take on increased responsibilities with the same staff resources that they had in the previous municipality:
Whereas city councillors are in a conflict of interest situation when voting on providing themselves with office staff, hence hesitant to vote for increasing the number and quality of their assistants. And as a result are often understaffed to the point of being unable to do their work efficiently or effectively.
Be It Resolved that the Federation of Canadian Municipalities establish benchmarks for the staffing of city councillor’s offices based on the population, size and responsibilities of the council, such that city council’s have a benchmark point of reference when considering a reasonable office compliment for Councillor’s offices.
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Motion 2.
Participative Budget
Proposed by City X
Whereas the Participative Budget has proven a great success in Brazil in setting city budgets which are community and environmentally friendly and are popular with constituents.
Whereas over 200 Brazilian municipalities including the largest city, Sao Paulo have adopted the Participative Budget.
Whereas Canadian city councillors and senior city staff know very little about the participative budget and could benefit from visiting Porto Alegre, the birthplace of the Participative budget;
Be It Resolved that the FCM organize a study tour to Porto Alegre open to City Councillors and Senior City Managers.
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Motion: Membership United Cities and Local Authorities
Proposed by City X
Whereas the founding meeting of a new international organization called the United Cities and Local Authorities has had its first meeting in Paris this year and will be the umbrella organization representing all European cities at national and international forums and is open to all cities and local authorities on all continents;
Whereas: this organization will be representing the interests of cities at meeting like Davos where representatives will be lobbying to have cities included in the governmental consultations that occurs prior to international trade agreements being finalized
Be It Resolved that the FCM encourage Canadian cities to become members of this new international organization.