Contact: Godwin Chan, Councillor, 905-771-2509, godwin.chan@richmondhill.ca

RICHMOND HILL – In his capacity as a Director of the National Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM), Richmond Hill Ward 6 Councillor Godwin Chan met with Federal Ministers, Members of Parliament, Senators and other municipal leaders from across Canada in Ottawa last week to discuss solutions to national issues playing out in hometowns across the country.

"During Advocacy Days on Parliament Hill, I stressed that the Federal Government's continued partnership with local government is necessary and that investment from Ottawa is critical to address the urgent need for improving local infrastructure such as public transit and affordable housing in our community," said Councillor Chan.

In addressing the FCM Board, Federal Finance Minister Joe Oliver reiterated Canadian Government's commitment to provide funding through the Building Canada Fund to help support local projects, creating jobs and improving the local economy. Following the meeting with the FCM Board, Minister of International Trade, Ed Fast announced a strengthened partnership with the FCM with a renewed Trade Joint Working Group between the FCM and Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development Canada.

Key objectives of the Joint Working Group include developing trade and investment programs and services and attracting job-creating investment in Canada.

In addition to advocating for federal investment in infrastructure and housing, Councillor Chan represented Richmond Hill’s support of FCM's call for building livable, sustainable hometowns and improvements on issues like climate change and disaster mitigation and is proud of the work Richmond Hill is doing in support of these issues.

As part of the Advocacy Days program, FCM launched its Hometown Proud Campaign. The Campaign includes a contest and is aimed at getting Canadians to share images and stories about how they are connected to their hometowns.

"This is a great opportunity for us to let the entire country know what is so special about our hometown, Richmond Hill,” said Councillor Chan.

Already, Canadians are sharing their stories and their passion for their hometowns at hometownproud.fcm.ca. The contest is aimed at engaging Canadians to share their stories about what makes their hometown special. Councillor Chan hopes Richmond Hill residents will share their stories. The contest winner will be awarded two round-trip airline tickets to bring someone they love to their hometown. The contest runs until January 13, 2015.
-30-

FCM

The Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) is the national voice of municipal government in Canada. Its national Board is comprised of municipal leaders from nearly 2000 communities across Canada and meets quarterly to set policy priorities.

In leading the municipal movement, FCM works to align Federal and local priorities, recognizing that strong hometowns make for a strong Canada. FCM board members come to strengthen relationships with MPs and Senators and to build on the partnership between local governments and the federal government. Together, local and federal representatives have tackled key challenges in the last few years, and achieved good results for taxpayers, communities and the economy.

Visit FCM.ca for more information about the Federation of Canadian Municipalities.