UMNB Welcome and Briefing Kick-off Advocacy Days with an informative session led by UMNB. This briefing will update members on key priorities and advocacy goals. We will discuss the objectives of the agenda, how to approach engagement, with decision-makers, and how municipalities can work collectively to drive meaningful change for their communities.

Presenters

• Mayor Brittany Merrifield, President, UMNB 
• Dan Murphy, Executive Director, UMNB

Fiscal Reform Update Join us for an update with the Department of Environment and Local Government on the fiscal reform process. Following the presentation there will be a Q&A. 

Presenters

• Charbel Awad, Deputy Minister, Department of Environment and Local Government
• Jennifer Wilkins, Assistant Deputy Minister, Department of Environment and Local Government

Partner Session: Best Practices for Recruiting and Hiring Municipal Staff by MC Advisory and McInnes Cooper (MC) Attracting and retaining talented staff is crucial for municipal effectiveness. This session will be co-presented by MC Advisory and MC.  MC Advisory will explore the workforce challenges in NB municipalities, highlight innovative recruitment strategies and discuss important considerations related to onboarding and retention. MC will compliment the conversation by highlighting the do’s and don’ts of recruitment hiring to ensure you are not only attracting the right candidates but also conducting a fair, transparent, and legally sound hiring process. Together, we will provide practical insights and actionable strategies to help municipalities navigate current labour market challenges and build strong, resilient teams.

Presenters

• Chris Pelkey, Associate, McInnes Cooper 
• Tanya Tynski, People & Culture Lead and Senior Advisor, MCA

Partner Session: Making Civics Civil Again by Strategic Steps Inc. Incivility in the municipal sector is on the rise. Whether it’s social media attacks, public meeting outbursts, workplace harassment, or online threats – the impact on morale, productivity, and personal well-being is real. Join us to discuss what’s behind this trend and to get practical strategies to navigate difficult interactions while fostering a culture of respect and safety

Presenter

• Craig Pollett, Vice President, Atlantic

Advocating on a National Level: Federal Priorities & Municipal Engagement. Tariffs, a new municipal growth framework and a federal election on the horizon join UMNB and the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) for an engaging session on how municipalities can play a role in advocacy efforts in New Brunswick to influence the Canadian context. 

The discussion will focus on key priorities for municipalities, including the need for a new framework that empowers local governments to deliver on the pressing needs of their communities. The session will also include an update on FCM’s work regarding Canada-US Relations. This session will provide an opportunity for participants to ask questions and have a discussion on federal priorities going into this next election. 

Presenter

• Mathieu Bélanger, Executive Director, Policy & Public Affairs, FCM

Healthcare in New Brunswick: Challenges, Opportunities, and the Role of Municipalities.  Join us for a timely discussion on the state of healthcare in New Brunswick communities. This session will address topics such as collaborative care clinics, workforce shortages and access to services while exploring how municipalities can collaborate with UMNB and GNB to improve healthcare delivery in our province.   

Panelist: 

• Dr. John Dornan, Minister of Health