Portage City Councillor elected to FCM board of directors

One Portage la Prairie City Councillor is happy to have his voice heard on a federal level.

Councillor Joe Masi is one of three Manitoban municipal councillors who were selected to join the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) board of directors during their annual meeting in Toronto from May 24 - 29. He will be joined by Marvin Plett from the city of Winkler, and Laurent Tetrault from the Rural Municipality of Labroquirie. Masi says the process began right here at home.

"The process starts with your own council and I'm very appreciative to Mayor Sharilyn Knox and my council colleagues," explains Masi. "They passed the resolution endorsing my candidacy. Then it's going to the convention and campaigning."

Masi adds, it was a little stressful, since he only had the length of the convention to campaign to those voting. Masi says he's grateful for the rest of council as they helped campaign for him, as well. The process began in April.

"I think it's really important, when you sit on a national board like that, that you make your voice heard," notes Masi. "It needs to be clear what the priorities are for the municipalities in Manitoba. The focus is primarily dealing with the federal government there."

The FCM works together with the federal government to ensure that smaller municipalities aren’t forgotten when decisions are being made on a national level..

Masi is excited to see the differences between his time with the Association of Manitoba Municipalities (AMM) and the FCM.

"I really hope that I can represent, not only municipalities, but also the City of Portage la Prairie, on issues that we're dealing with regarding the federal government." says Masi.