Waterloo Region: Global issues
Origins and Impacts Series: Bypassing Section 92
How the UN and Federal Government Influence Municipal Governance
Section 92 of the Constitution Act, 1867 grants exclusive authority over municipalities to provincial governments (
Constitution Act, 1867). However, this constitutional framework has been effectively bypassed by the United Nations and the federal government through the use of the
Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) as an intermediary. By channeling funding and influence through the FCM, this approach circumvents provincial oversight and pressures municipalities to adopt
United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDGs), tying financial incentives to compliance with international mandates.
The Role of the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM): A Voice for Local Governments or a Conduit for UNSDGs?
The FCM was originally established to represent the interests of local governments at the federal level, advocating for policies and funding that reflect municipal priorities (
FCM, 2024). However, its initiatives and funding mechanisms are now heavily aligned with UNSDGs, raising concerns about its effectiveness as a representative body for Canada’s diverse municipalities.
- FCM initiatives, such as the Partners for Climate Protection (PCP) program and the administration of the Green Municipal Fund (GMF), embed global sustainability goals into municipal governance.
- This alignment pressures municipalities to prioritize international mandates over locally defined priorities, eroding their autonomy and independence.
-KICLEI Canada