Portage la Prairie will have representation at one of Canada’s largest municipal gatherings next week, as a local delegation including councillor Joe Masi prepares to attend the 2026 annual conference of the Federation of Canadian Municipalities in Edmonton.

Also attending will be Portage mayor Sharilyn Knox, city manager Nicole Chychota, and councillors Colin Doyle and Farron Nichols.

The Federation of Canadian Municipalities Annual Conference and Trade Show is scheduled for June 4–7, at the Edmonton Convention Centre.

The event is expected to draw more than 1,500 elected officials from across Canada, bringing together municipal leaders from rural, northern and urban communities for policy discussions, networking and training sessions.

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The conference will also include board elections, plenary sessions and a range of issue-focused programming for municipal leaders from across the country.

Masi says the national conference provides a broad forum for municipalities to work together on shared priorities.

“Normally they invite all the federal leaders to speak at it,” he remarks.

Masi adds that the event includes a wide range of policy discussions and regional programming.

“There’s going to be a lot of [focus] on rural,” he notes.

Policy discussion and federal presence

Among the issues expected to be discussed at the conference is a resolution related to the closure of the AAFC Research Station in Portage, which Masi says has drawn interest from multiple communities.

He says supporters hope the resolution will gain enough backing to strengthen national advocacy efforts.

Masi notes the conference will also include a series of study tours where delegates visit municipal facilities in Edmonton, including libraries, water treatment operations and community safety services. He notes the programming is designed to give councils practical examples of how other cities operate, along with workshops on a wide range of municipal topics.

There will also be a plenary session led by the CEO of Build Canada Homes focused on how municipalities can work with partners to accelerate housing development.

Masi adds he will be running for a seat on the FCM board representing Manitoba. In addition, the City of Portage la Prairie has nominated Mayor Sharilyn Knox for an FCM Award for Excellence in Municipal Leadership, with winners to be announced during the conference.