The Local Government Leadership Academy held a very successful Virtual Leadership Forum on February 3-4, 2021. Below, for your convenience, is a library of session recordings as a lasting legacy and resource from:
“Leading in Unprecedented Times: Drafting a Blueprint for the New Normal”
Program Highlights Summary, Session Recordings
Saanich, Our Virtual Host
The Forum’s province-wide journey began in Saanich, with Mayor Fred Haynes leading the welcome as the mayor of the virtual host, along with an address by Songhees Community Member, Florence Dick, by Laurey-Anne Roodenburg, LGLA President , and by Brian Frenkel, the President of the Union of BC Municipalities.
*View Opening Ceremonies Reel
Keynote, Nora Young, CBC – Seeing The Forest And The Trees
Keynote Speaker, Nora Young of CBC Radio talked about the potential and the questions raised in our data-driven, digital world. Nora Young is the host and the creator of Spark, a national radio show and podcast about technology and culture, which airs on CBC Radio. She was the founding host of CBC Radio’s Definitely Not the Opera, where she often discussed topics related to new media and technology.
Her work has also appeared online, on television, and in print. As a journalist, author, and speaker, Nora explores how new technology shapes the way we understand ourselves and the world around us. Her book, The Virtual Self, focuses on the explosion of data about our behaviours, thoughts, opinions and actions.
Her keynote address at the LGLAForum was entitled “Seeing the Forest and the Trees: Big Data, Resilience, and Community Post-COVID”
Nora talked about the explosion of data about our lives, which offers great potential for building more responsive, resilient, digitally-driven communities, in particular, through Artificial Intelligence. At the same time, digital strategies raise questions of equality of access, privacy, and AI ethics. Nora looked at big picture changes in our data-driven future, and how to prepare for those changes, what pitfalls to watch out for, and how to make the best of our changing data driven world.
*Link to “Spark” with Nora Young on CBC Radio
Plenary Workshop Presented By The Local Government Management Association (LGMA): The New Normal – Building Constructive Council/Board Relations
Facilitator Reece Harding of Young Anderson, was joined by Mayor Karen Elliott & CAO Linda Glenday from the District of Squamish, to examine how the previous year had changed the way local governments conducted business; highlighting tools and skills to prevent conflict around the table from spinning out of control
*View LGMA Plenary Session on Constructive Council & Board Relationships
Investing Local Government Reserves for the Long Term & Other Investment Topics – Municipal Finance Authority (MFA)
MFA’s CEO, Peter Urbanc and Doug Spindler, Reserves Manager, City of Burnaby examine the challenges facing BC’s local governments in managing their investments in an era of ultra-low interest rates and budgetary pressures created by unexpected events such as the COVID 19 pandemic.
As reserves across the local government system have grown significantly over the last decade, so too have the challenges of earning above inflationary returns to meet future capital needs. Given the limited fixed income investment options traditionally available to LGs, MFA has introduced several new investment options over the last few years and is planning on introducing a new investment fund that will, for the first time ever, invest in global investments across multiple asset classes, including equities.
An understanding of the opportunities and risks associated with a Global Growth Fund, as well as strengthening of investment planning, policies, approaches and governance structure is critical.
*View the Session on Investing Local Government Reserves for the Long Term
Moving To Recovery: What We Learned From A Crisis
Nicola Marotz (Ministry of Municipal Affairs), lead an exciting and timely panel discussion where elected officials shared their experiences with mill closures; opioids; homelessness; floods; wildfires…and what they believe helped them and their communities through recovery and to emerge stronger than ever. Participants: Mayor Sarrah Storey, Mayor Lyn Hall, Councillor Laurey-Anne Roodenburg and and Electoral Area Director Al Richmond.
*View the Session on Moving to Recovery: What We Have Learned From a Crisis
Indigenous-Local Government Relations – Covid Collaboration Shaping the Future
The Ministry of Municipal Affairs Presents: Kamloops Success Story (special thanks to Dianna Porter, Senior Program Analyst, Ministry of Municipal Affairs)
Meet Kukpi7/Chief. Mother. Grandmother. Wife. Role Model Chief Rosanne Casimir is a strong Secwepemc Woman leading by example and is the 13th elected Kukpi7/Chief for Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc with lineage to highly respected hereditary Chief Louis Clexlixqen (1852 -1915). Chief Casimir was an elected Council member for 3 terms (9) years terms prior to becoming Chief. During her time as Councillor, actively involved in enacting their communities Matrimonial Real Law and politically worked with TteS advocating for Property Transfer Taxation, and supporter legalized Marijuana, and many other initiatives that are collectively beneficial to her community.
Meet Tammy Robertson, External Relations Manager with the City of Kamloops Tammy was appointed to this role in 2018 to build enhanced relationships with Indigenous communities, business organizations and the Kamloops Airport. Tammy’s key focus has been developing relationships that lead to tangible outcomes. An essential requirement to meeting this objective has been building trust with Indigenous leaders and City partners. Joint successes with Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc include new transit service, recognition of traditional place names, new recreation facilities, repatriation, and preservation and promotion of cultural and heritage values.
*View the Session on how Cooperation During the Pandemic Shaped Indigenous-Local Government Relations in Kamloops
Business Rebound Part I – Business and Economy Rebound – Lidstone & Company Law Corporation
Panel discussion about what local governments can do to support business recovery, economic development and job creation in their communities during the final stages of the pandemic and after the health orders are lifted.
Panellists: Hon. Ravi Kahlon, Minister of Jobs, Economic Recovery and Innovation, on Post-COVID Jobs, Economic Recovery and Innovation; Garth Frizell, FCM president/Prince George Councillor, on FCM and Federal Programs, Including GMF and CIB; Joel McKay, CEO Northern Development Initiative Trust, on Innovation and Initiative at the Local Level); and Don Lidstone, on Valid Local Government Economic Development Strategies and Best Practices.
*View Business Rebound Part I – Business Recovery After the Pandemic
Business Rebound Part II – Ways To Improve Resilience – Municipal Insurance Association of BC (MIABC)
Join Tom Barnes, Megan Chorlton and Sandra Mayo (MIABC) as they highlight the importance of resilience, and how organizations can manage crises and disruptions to operations. Gain insight into how resilient organizations can “bounce back” from events such as economic downturns, and the effects of crisis, such as the adverse effects of climate change, with examples from Jim Martin, Chief Administrative Officer, Regional District of Fraser-Fort George and Meredith Starkey, CAO, Village of Zeballos
*View Business Rebound Part II – MIABC Presents Ways to Improve Resilience
Valuing Diversity In Leadership
Join Jan Enns of Jan Enns Communications as she facilitates exploration of diversity in leadership. How do we harness the best of diverse leadership styles and skills; how do we create environments that value those skills; and what can leaders do around their decision-making table to make valuing diversity the gold standard in our rapidly evolving world. Moderator, Sooke Mayor Maja Tait, is joined by elected officials around the province: Mayor Richard Stewart of Coquitlam, Mayor Toni Boot of The District of Summerland, Mayor Michelle Staples, from the City of Duncan and Councillor Arjun Singh from Kamloops.
*View the Session on Valuing Diversity In Leadership
Roundtable on Sustainability and Climate Change
Presentation of the award-winning District of Saanich 2020 Climate Plan. What does the future hold? Can we apply the crisis management momentum to our ongoing quest to deal with climate change.
Moderator: Christina Benty – Christina Benty Strategic Leadership Solutions
Panel: Rebecca Newlove – Manager of District of Saanich Sustainability Department;
Cora Hallsworth – Manager, Municipal Programs, Ecocity Centre, BCIT; Principal, Cora Hallsworth Consulting
Ned Taylor – Councillor, Corporation of the District of Saanich
Lauren Daly and Emma-Jane Burian – Youth Advocates
*View the Environmental Roundtable Session
Technology “Takeover” – Part I
Ben Bajaj of TELUS presents: Broadband, Remote Access, The Future, and Your Part In It.
*View Technology Takeover Session Part I
Technology “Takeover” – Part II
Todd Pugh, Executive Director of CivicInfo BC, and Tracey Lorenson of Paragon Strategic, explore the opportunities and challenges that rapidly evolving technology represents. What does the new hybrid look like with the increasing emphasis on communications, and being tech-ready
*View Technology Takeover Session Part I
BC Assessment Presents – Assessment 101
A step-by-step guide, showing how BC Assessment determines residential and commercial property values, and how this value relates to municipal taxation.
Michael Spatharakis – Manager, Local Government Relations
View Property Assessment 101
GFOABC Presents – Property Tax 101
A “sequel” to Assessment 101. Tutorial on how property tax rates and property taxes are calculated.
Doug Stein – GFOA of BC Life Member and Certified Management Accountant
*View Property Tax 101
LGLA gratefully acknowledges the financial and in kind assistance of the following sponsors and partner organizations:
