Editorial: My Drive With The FCM President

It's not every day you get to rub shoulders with Mayors and Councillors from across Canada, but for me, it seems to be a reality that happens more and more. As a host of a show dedicated to municipal affairs, I’ve been fortunate to travel the country, meeting leaders and witnessing firsthand the challenges and victories of communities from coast to coast. But in Yellowknife this week, I had an experience I won’t soon forget—a car ride that would go on to shape my view of municipal leadership for years to come.

What happens when you take a Big City Councillor, and a Municipal Affairs Host, and put them in a car around the City of Yellowknife for 45 minutes? You get a recipe for laughs, deep contemplations, and a ride that recalls the thought-provoking conversations of the 1981 film My Dinner with Andre.

Councillor Rebecca Bligh is not your average municipal leader. Serving as a City Councillor for Vancouver and the President of the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM), Bligh has an impressive resume. For those unfamiliar with her work, I highly recommend following her on social media. Her passion for community, her insightful perspectives on governance, and her tireless work in balancing the needs of Vancouver with the needs of municipalities across the nation make her a standout figure in Canadian municipal politics.

As the FCM President, Bligh is at the forefront of advocating for municipalities—from the bustling streets of Toronto to the quiet, rural communities of Newfoundland. Whether it’s representing large urban centres or the smallest towns in Canada, she carries the weight of these diverse needs on her shoulders. And yet, despite the demands of her role, there’s a grounded humility to her leadership that immediately becomes apparent when you spend time with her.

During my time in Yellowknife, I had the chance to ride along with Bligh, and what struck me most wasn’t just her impressive political acumen or her dedication to her work—it was the way she engaged with the world around her. It was clear to me that Bligh isn’t simply a politician who works for communities; she is a politician who lives and breathes for them.

Throughout the drive, Bligh wasn’t just talking at me—she was engaging in a two-way conversation, asking thoughtful questions about me, my work, and my perspective on the municipal landscape. Here’s the thing: this wasn’t a typical, superficial exchange. In those 45 minutes, I felt like I was talking to someone who genuinely cared about who I was, about what I was trying to do with my show, and about the communities I represent. She wasn’t just listening to respond; she was listening to understand.

This is an art that far too many in politics forget, but it’s one that Bligh seems to embody fully.

If you’ve ever driven through a city like Vancouver, you’ll know that the issues facing urban centres are complex and multifaceted. From housing crises to homelessness, to the need for modernized public transit systems, the demands on a big-city politician are enormous. But Rebecca Bligh has the unique ability to bridge the divide between urban and rural concerns. She doesn’t just advocate for Vancouver—she advocates for municipalities across the entire country.

In the midst of our drive throughout the city, we stopped into the Ice Castle event in Yellowknife, where I witnessed Bligh’s ability to connect with anyone, no matter where they were from or what their experience was. We met two snow sculptors, one from Winnipeg and one from Ottawa, who were working on a magnificent creation called Wooley the Snow Elephant. In most situations, a politician would probably ask a couple of polite questions before moving on. But Bligh? She dove deep into the conversation, not just asking what they were doing but why they were doing it. She wanted to know their stories, their motivations, and the challenges they faced.

It was this genuine curiosity, this ability to engage with people as if they were the most important person in the room, that made me realize something crucial: Bligh is a leader who truly values every voice. From the sculptors in Yellowknife to the smallest municipalities across Canada, she listens with intent and speaks with purpose. It’s no wonder that when speaking with municipal leaders who have worked with her, I consistently hear one refrain: “It seems as though she understood my concern.”

And in leadership, that’s everything.

What does it mean to understand? In a world where loud voices often dominate and the lines between right and wrong seem blurred, it’s easy for politicians to feel compelled to pick a side, raise their voices, and focus on winning arguments. But as Bligh demonstrated during our time together, the true power of leadership lies in understanding—listening to the concerns of all communities and comprehending the complexities of the issues they face.

Bligh doesn’t just listen. She takes the time to comprehend the nuances of every challenge, whether it’s the difficult economic decisions facing small towns in Northern Canada or the intense pressures on large cities. It’s about grasping the unique needs of each community and ensuring that no issue is too small to be heard.

In the world of municipal politics, it’s easy to fall into the trap of prioritizing immediate solutions over long-term understanding. But Bligh’s approach is different. She understands that sometimes the greater good isn’t just about reacting to a problem quickly—it’s about taking the time to understand the root causes and working toward sustainable, thoughtful solutions. This approach, which prioritizes long-term relationships over short-term victories, is what sets Bligh apart from so many others in the political sphere.

The Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) serves as a vital advocate for local governments across the country, providing them with the tools and support they need to navigate the complex world of municipal governance.

In her role, Bligh has taken on the weighty task of representing municipalities of all sizes. It’s no small feat to balance the competing needs of urban centres with those of rural areas, but Bligh has done so with grace and determination. Whether it’s fighting for the funding needed to address pressing infrastructure issues in rural Canada or advocating for better support systems for urban communities dealing with rising housing costs, Bligh is a constant presence at the table where key decisions are made.

I saw firsthand how seriously she takes this responsibility during our drive and conversations. As we spoke about municipal challenges across Canada, it became clear that Bligh is one of the most accessible and dedicated leaders in the municipal realm today. And while her rise to the presidency of FCM wasn’t the traditional route, it’s clear that Bligh brings a unique perspective to the table.

It’s easy to underestimate the power of a leader like Rebecca Bligh. But after spending time with her, it became clear that she shouldn’t be underestimated. Her ability to connect, understand, and advocate for municipalities across Canada is unparalleled. What impressed me most wasn’t just her ability to lead, but her authenticity. Bligh doesn’t just occupy the role of FCM President—she embodies it.

As a small-town kid from Newcastle, Ontario, who created a show about municipal leadership, I found myself deeply inspired by Bligh’s journey and the way she approaches leadership.

In every conversation, every decision, every interaction, Bligh demonstrates an unwavering commitment to the people and communities she represents.

And that, ultimately, is what makes her one of the good ones. Whether you're in a bustling urban centre or a quiet rural town, you can be sure that Bligh is fighting for your municipality. She is not just a leader for today; she is a leader for the future.

So, as I reflect on that car ride with Rebecca Bligh, I’m reminded that the true measure of leadership isn’t just about what you do—it’s about who you are. And from what I saw that day, Bligh is a leader who will continue to make a meaningful impact on municipalities across Canada for years to come.

In a world that often feels divided, it’s leaders like Bligh who remind us that, at the end of the day, we are all in this together. And as long as she’s at the helm of the FCM, we can rest assured that our voices, no matter how big or small, will be heard.