The RM of Portage la Prairie's Ward 4 councillor was chosen for nomination for the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) board of directors. 

"It's a really good idea for the RM of Portage la Prairie to be represented at the national level," explains Roy Tufford. "When it comes to organizing a lobby at the federal government, we'd like to have good representation. We have representation at the provincial level because Reeve Kam Blight is actually a vice president of AMM (Association of Manitoba Municipalities), but we'd like to be represented at the FCM table as well."

Tufford says the RM passed the resolution for him to run, noting it's only giving FCM the authority from the council to see him run, adding council will be footing the bill.

He notes, if elected, he's not sure how many meetings he'll have to attend that are offsite, where he'd have to travel, or whether the meetings are held via Skype or telephone. This means costs are unknown at this point. At any rate, Tufford says, the council thought it was a good move for him to represent the RM. He says major issues of great concern to the RM will be discussed, including communication infrastructure which the government seems to be committed to. Tufford notes the RM doesn't have input into how that will be implemented, though. He says another issue is Transport Canada, seeing as it includes railroads, and how disruptive they are to our lifestyle with regard to crossing walks.

Tufford adds councillors are also concerned about immigration strategy, specifically how plans are to facilitate that.

He explains several Manitobans will be on the board. Tufford says it's a large board including about 70 to 80 people. He says it's not fully open for everyone to simply chat about issues, but rather it's a place where the RM input has to be put forward. 

The elections occur at FCM's annual meeting, with two of the RM councillors attending, and is held at the end of May through the start of June in Quebec City.