Ottawa Councillor Tim Tierney Elected President of Federation of Canadian Municipalities
Ottawa City Councillor Tim Tierney was acclaimed president of the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) on Sunday at the organization’s annual conference in Edmonton, becoming the first Ottawa-based leader of the national municipal body in more than 80 years.
Tierney succeeds Vancouver Councillor Rebecca Bligh, who moves into the role of past president. His term runs until June 2027.
Priorities: Infrastructure, Housing and Community Safety
Tierney outlined three core priorities for his presidency: infrastructure investment, housing, and community safety. He pledged to press the federal government on all three fronts through what he described as the FCM’s “collaborative efforts.”
“Together, we will tackle infrastructure gaps, build more housing, address homelessness and strengthen Canada’s future,” Tierney said in a statement following his acclamation.
He emphasized the need for “stable, predictable funding” for municipalities and promised to champion what he called the “non-sexy” but essential infrastructure priorities — including sewers — that underpin housing construction.
“Let’s start digging because we need those sewers in place to be able to build all these homes that the federal government wants to achieve,” he said in an interview.
A National Mandate from an Ottawa Base
Tierney acknowledged that his Ottawa location places him close to federal decision-makers — a proximity he intends to use. He said he plans to raise municipal priorities with MPs, cabinet ministers and senators at every opportunity, “whether it’s testifying at a parliamentary committee, at a reception or in a restaurant, or even seeing them on the street.”
Despite his Ottawa base, Tierney stressed he would remain “focused on the needs of the entire country.”
New Board Members and Vice-Presidents Elected
Delegates at the Edmonton conference also elected three new vice-presidents to the FCM executive:
New members were also elected to the FCM’s Board of Directors, which is composed of elected municipal officials from communities of all sizes and regions across Canada.
About the FCM
The Federation of Canadian Municipalities represents the interests of member municipalities on policy and program matters within federal jurisdiction. Its board carries municipal priorities directly to the federal government on behalf of communities from coast to coast to coast.
