The Local Government Cafe Podcast

Balancing Expectations and Strategic Priorities: Reflections on the Role of the CAO Dec 31, 2024

In this episode, Bev Hendry discusses the importance of strategic planning and effective issues management, sharing her insights on how local governments can better align priorities, manage expectations, and foster productive council-staff relationships. Joining us at the 2024 CAMA conference, Bev reflects on the path that led her to local government, and the most important lessons learned along the way.

Beyond Codes of Conduct: Strategies for Creating High-Functioning Councils Nov 26, 2024

Tracey Lorenson joins us to explore the complexities of local governance and how to address them effectively. From handling conflict to supporting struggling elected officials, this episode offers practical advice for municipal leaders aiming to create a strong and cooperative governing body at the municipal level.

Leadership in Action: How Vaughan’s Public Works Revolutionized Workplace Culture Oct 07, 2024

Zoran Postic, recently announced as the new City Manager for the City of Vaughan, Ontario, joined us to chat at the 2024 CAMA conference. In this episode, we explore the leadership programs, strategies, and systems that transformed Vaughan’s Public Works Department during Postic's time as Deputy City Manager of Public Works - creating an environment where employees thrive and citizens benefit.

Breaking Bias to Build a More Inclusive, Innovative Organization Sep 04, 2024

Tune in as Tina Varughese delves into the complexities of unconscious bias and its impact on organizations. Hear her take on how to navigate DEI fatigue and why diversity can drive profitability and innovation.

CAMA at 50: Empowering Municipal Leaders Aug 05, 2024

CAMA President Tony Kulbisky reflects on the association's history and the future of local government administration. Learn how CAMA continues to prepare its members to navigate these changes, driving community success.

Building Strong Municipal-Indigenous Relationships Jul 02, 2024

Janine Windolph, Director, Indigenous Arts at the Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity, shares her journey, insights, and best practices for fostering meaningful partnerships between municipalities and Indigenous communities. Learn about the importance of cultural sensitivity, the power of kinship, and the steps municipalities can take to build lasting connections. Building on her powerful presentation at the Canadian Association of Municipal Administrators Conference, Janine imparts not only practical advice, but stories that will truly inspire.

Spotlight on Excellence: Conversations with CAMA award winners Jun 05, 2024

Join us in this special episode of the Local Gov Cafe as we celebrate the winners of the Canadian Association of Municipal Administrators (CAMA) 2024 Awards of Excellence. Discover inspiring stories, of innovation and community impact from leaders in local government, including initiatives in talent management, sustainability, partnerships, urban forestry, and more!

Accountability, Trust, and Feedback: The Building Blocks of Leadership Success Apr 23, 2024

Accountability, trust, and feedback are key cornerstones of effective leadership in any organization. Dr. Wilma Slenders delves into the critical role these elements play in her work with CEOs and senior executives, offering valuable lessons for leaders at all levels on building and maintaining relationships to drive the success of their organizations.

George Cuff on Leadership, Governance, and the Future of Municipalities Mar 05, 2024

George Cuff returns to the Local Gov Cafe to discuss the pressing issues confronting municipal governments. From the impact of education to the challenges of activism, evolving leadership styles to the importance of role clarity, uncover what it takes to lead effectively in today's complex municipal landscape.

HR Strategies to Cultivate Excellence: Leading with Empathy in Local Government Jan 23, 2024

Join us as Dr. Raeleen Manjak, an award-winning HR expert, shares her wisdom on enhancing workplace dynamics in local government. This episode highlights her unique perspective on coaching as a management superpower, the significance of psychological safety in the workplace, and the role of HR in fostering innovation. Learn from a leader who's redefining the boundaries of HR.

The Unseen Crossing: Understanding the Legacy of the Pandemic Dec 05, 2023

Mark Mullaly joins us to discuss how the liminal space of the pandemic has ushered in long-term changes for individuals, communities and local governments. Tune in to learn about the enduring impacts that have emerged – and how municipalities are adapting.

Small Communities, Big Opportunities Nov 07, 2023

Join us as long time City Manager Patricia Vinchesi unravels the nuances and quirks of working in a smaller community. We caught up with her at the CAMA conference to talk about career challenges and opportunities, and the age-old debate: which is better small town or big city?

Tides of Change: Crafting Surrey’s 80-Year Adaptation Vision Oct 02, 2023

As flood risks mount, the City of Surrey looks 80 years ahead. Matt Osler joins us to talk about the creation of a robust Coastal Flood Adaptation Strategy and the complex, multi-community collaborations behind it.

Beyond Development Charges: Decoding Housing Affordability Aug 17, 2023

Tune in as we explore the intricate relationship between development charges and housing affordability in top Canadian markets with insights from Professor Andrew Sancton.

Navigating the Power Shift: Ontario’s Strong Mayor Legislation Jul 26, 2023

Join us with Sabine Matheson as we delve into Ontario's new Strong Mayor legislation, its intended role in resolving the housing crisis, and the potential shifts in power dynamics for municipal councils and CAOs. Will the side effects be worse than the cure?

Mastering Municipal Management: The Executive Assistant’s Role Jul 12, 2023

CAO Brenda Orchard sits down to discuss the integral role of Executive Assistants in supporting the office of the chief administrative office or city manager - and how CAMA's new toolkit can enhance their effectiveness.

The City Manager’s Journey: 40 Years with Jim Puffalt Jun 20, 2023

Join us as we celebrate Jim Puffalt's 40-year milestone in city management. In this special episode recorded at the 2023 CAMA conference, Jim shares the triumphs and challenges of his journey in public service. Don't miss this chance to learn from a seasoned leader in the municipal field!

Transcending Boundaries: A municipal transgender journey Jun 06, 2023

Join us for a thought-provoking conversation with Sabine Matheson as she shares her inspiring journey of transitioning and discusses the power of inclusivity in the world of local government.

Celebrating Excellence: Canada’s top municipal innovators share their stories Jun 01, 2023

Join us as we dive into some of the groundbreaking initiatives that earned prestigious Awards of Excellence at the 2023 Canadian Association of Municipal Administrators conference. Get inspired by the stories and strategies behind these innovative projects that are shaping the future of our communities.

You can also watch videos for all the award winning communities here:

Port Hardy - https://youtu.be/b_s52TaxtHQ

Outrement English - https://youtu.be/q5amWEowFHU

Outrement French - https://youtu.be/5UDbYkvcwfA

Markham - https://youtu.be/aO6MGSGm1_E

Summerside - https://youtu.be/I_g4AUt8il0

St. Albert - https://youtu.be/dV_Nk4h_Fjc

Calgary - https://youtu.be/O3foQrOTMAg

Peterborough County - https://youtu.be/X2oU29zVZD8

Muskoka - https://youtu.be/tbFLtLESHOs

Portage la Prairie - https://youtu.be/93FFfOCRdsA

The Jean Collective: Creating Opportunities for Women in Politics Apr 25, 2023

How can we get more women involved in local government? In this episode of Local Gov Cafe, we chat with Helen Cole, a champion for this issue who is dedicated to helping women achieve gender parity in places of power and influence. Helen shares her own experiences in local government, discusses the work of the Jean Collective, A Women in Politics Initiative and offers valuable advice for women who are considering running for office or seeking leadership positions. Don't miss this uplifting conversation!

Breaking Barriers: Wendy Landry’s Insights on Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in Local Government Mar 21, 2023

In this episode, we sit down with Wendy Landry, Mayor of the Municipality of Shuniah - and Ontario's First Indigenous Woman Mayor. From her diverse career in the private and public sector to her advocacy work for diversity, equity, and inclusion, Wendy shares her experiences and insights on breaking barriers and achieving better representation in local politics.

Bafflegab and Buzzwords: How to win the fight against bureaucrat-ese! Feb 21, 2023

What do "blamestorming," "socializing the document," and "synergistic optimization" all have in common? They're all examples of the confusing, convoluted language that has infiltrated our government and corporate communications.

In this episode of the Local Gov Cafe, we sit down with Brian Lambie, President of Redbrick Communications, to learn how to fight back against the buzzword apocalypse. We'll explore the origins of these confusing phrases, discuss the impact they have on clear communication, and offer tips and strategies for avoiding them in your own work. Tune in and join us in the fight against bureaucrat-ese!

CAMA: Supporting Canada’s CAOs & city managers as a champion of municipal excellence Jan 17, 2023

CAMA (Canadian Association of Municipal Administrators) is a national association for City Managers and CAOs, with a focus on administrative excellence in local government. Executive Director Jennifer Goodine drops by the cafe to talk about her own career in local government, the mandate of CAMA, and the association's ongoing work to support senior municipal leadership across the country.

Mining for value in municipal budgets with priority based budgeting Dec 20, 2022

Inflation is making it more difficult than ever to run our municipalities. Keeping all the line items "status quo" is not an option for leaders who want to deliver the best value to citizens for their tax dollars.

Tune in as Kelly Rudyk (It's Logical Consulting) explains Priority Based Budgeting, an innovative approach to developing the municipal budget. This approach expands the traditional focus on property taxes, fees and charges, integrating council's strategic vision as part of the process. The result: a budget that better reflects the priorities of the community and the ever-shifting needs of the municipal organization.

Codes of conduct for municipal council: A step towards ending incivility and disrespect in communities Nov 22, 2022

Could there be a better time to listen to our communities on how they want their politicians to behave? Especially when we’ve seen so many examples of just how bad things can go if we don’t set the right expectations.

In this episode, we’re joined by Mayor Cheryl Christian, Regional Municipality of West St. Paul, offering an inside perspective on Manitoba's mandatory codes of conduct for municipal council members. And, we get some great insight from Mayor Christian about how the new rules (and required training) are playing out in practice. Plus, some tips on how to set boundaries for those who might try to weaponize code complaints for political gain.

Hot potato! A fascinating behind-the-scenes look at local government reform in New Brunswick Nov 01, 2022

Local government reform is always a political hot potato - and the significant changes currently underway in New Brunswick are no exception. Join us for a deep dive on the process that is changing the face of communities across that province. Paul Lang, Executive Director, Kent Regional Services Commission gives us a behind-the-scenes look at how it's all happening – whether communities want it or not.

How to avoid getting Cuffed - a conversation with George Cuff Oct 04, 2022

Local government guru George Cuff joins Ann and Susan in the Cafe! When things go off track in municipal governance (as they sometimes do), George is often called in to find out what's happened - and to advise on how to make it right. In this episode he shares tips on how to avoid getting "Cuffed”. Tune in as George outlines the key strategies municipalities should use to avoid governance pitfalls and ensure they are meeting their mandate.

Women in politics - what’s up? A conversation with Taneen Rudyk Sep 13, 2022

Are more women entering or leaving politics? Today in the café, Susan and Ann are chatting with Taneen Rudyk, President of the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM). Taneen talks about her ongoing role of councillor of the Town of Vegreville, Alberta and the challenges she has faced as a woman at the forefront of local government. Plus, a look to the future and what's ahead for FCM.

Welcome to the Local Gov Cafe! Aug 07, 2022

Susan Gardner and Ann Mitchell welcome you to the Local Gov Cafe.

Tune in to this first episode to learn about your hosts.

You'll discover why they are so passionate about local government. And you'll find out what they have in store for the episodes ahead.