Portage la Prairie City Manager Jean-Marc Nadeau's been elected to the board of directors for the Canadian Association of Municipal Administrators (C.A.M.A.). He is now the representative for Manitoba, Saskatchewan, and Nunavut.

Nadeau tells us what it's about.

"It will be an opportunity to continue networking and gaining some knowledge of challenges that municipalities face across the country, whether the municipality's our size, or larger. We all face very similar challenges, but see how they address them. And maybe their models are best practices that we can bring back to Portage la Prairie."

He outlines his responsibilities.

"As the representative for Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Nunavut my responsibility is to reach out to my colleagues -- members of the Association, but also to encourage other administrators that may not be members of the Association to consider joining. The larger a group we have the more voice we have."

Nadeau describes his feelings about the new role.

"It feels great because it's an election that's across the country -- not just in a region. In my view I see it as a recognition by my peers that they value what I bring to the table -- my mixed bag of past experiences, whether it's been the RCMP or volunteer work in the communities that I've lived in, brings that type of experience, and it was recognized by my peers. There are over 500 members in the Canadian Association of Municipal Administrators now. And, so, to be recognized by them is humbling."

He talks about his qualifications that'll benefit him in the new position.

"I think by bringing a background of public safety, strategic planning, the ability to have worked in different parts of the country, brings an interesting view of a problem, and not one that's solely focused on what's at hand. But I'm able to bring a different view to it. So, I think that will help me advise or direct people in whatever issues they're facing. I'm just very happy that I've been elected to the board. This is something that I've been working toward for the past three years as a member of the Association. And I look forward to working with the folks."