Michael McDonald

Having spent the vast majority of my career in municipal government forming and maintaining strong relationships with Council, I place significant value on Council Orientation Sessions. I would love the opportunity to connect with municipalities and organizations to discuss the importance of Council (and board) Orientations in promoting effective governance and organizational success. Having formed strong relationships with Councillors in my previous roles, I understand firsthand the value of role clarity and strong council-admin (or ED and board member) relationships. Many municipalities only think of holding Council Orientations following the general election, but it is critical to also do so following a by-election. Let's chat about how Strategic Steps can support your Elected Officials in their role as community governors. #CouncilOrientations #GoodGovernance #OrganizationalEffectiveness

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🌟 National Strategy Council: Your Guide to Municipal Leadership Excellence 🌟 Are you a municipal leader facing challenges in finance, infrastructure, or community engagement? Look no further! 🗺️ Introducing the National Strategy Council (NSC), a dynamic group of passionate volunteer industry insiders dedicated to surfacing the best ideas for municipal success. 💡 Our guiding principles are simple: - Valuable: Strategies that make a real impact - Easy: Easy to understand and execute - Fast: Quick, efficient solutions to move the needle ⏰ We've identified three grand challenges facing every community: 1. Financial Sustainability 2. Affordability 3. Intergenerational Equity Our expert councils, led by industry leaders, are here to help you navigate these challenges: - Council of Finance Directors - Council of Public Works and Utilities Directors (coming soon!) - Council of City Managers (coming soon!) - Council of Elected Officials (coming soon!) Nominate a council member or submit your own strategy topic to help shape the future of municipal leadership. 📝 Join us in building a stronger, more resilient America, one community at a time. 🇺🇸 Download our FREE Strategy Playbook and get started today! 📖 https://lnkd.in/gFGPQf5m #NationalStrategyCouncil #MunicipalLeadership #CommunityResilience

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A follow-up to a CBC article we shared about the estimated $425B Indigenous infrastructure gap and what today's federal budget release may hold for Indigenous communities & housing. Inadequate Housing and Crowded Living Conditions - #3 of 8 Key Issues https://hubs.la/Q02t2p9H0

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"According to a 2023 report from Export Development Canada, there are over 50,000 Indigenous-owned businesses across Canada, contributing $48.9 billion annually to the country’s economy. Despite this high contribution, the majority of Indigenous entrepreneurs rely on their personal savings to start and build their businesses. Increasing access to resources and financial support for Indigenous entrepreneurs is vital to help these businesses thrive." - Startup Canada Curious about what supports are available to Indigenous entrepreneurs? Check out this post by Startup Canada : https://lnkd.in/g-Skq5EC #NIPD #NationalIndigenousPeoplesDay #AWEbusiness #IndigneousEntrepreneurs #Resources #BusinessSupport #FundingOpportunities

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ICYMI: Access to grant funding can make or break important municipal projects. However, the variety of grants and different application processes can be complex and time-consuming. Watch this on-demand webinar to learn our experts' tips and best practices for giving your community the best opportunity to secure grant funding. https://ow.ly/AfOs50RjTCA

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Municipal councils are elected by its citizens to make municipal decisions. The Provincial government should not have the power to override the results of local elections. If you accept that the provincial government should have these powers, do you also agree that the federal government should have the power to remove provincial ministers and/or reverse provincial decisions?

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Recommendations from Indigenous leaders on leveraging the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples in shareholder advocacy: 🔹 Industries should educate themselves on Indigenous communities, including understanding historical contexts, national legislation, and community organization. 🔹 Indigenous-defined FPIC protocols are an opportunity to build rights-based partnerships. 🔹 Indigenous Peoples have a right to fully participate in any process that defines how they manage and develop their lands. Read the summary of IIPWG's recent webinar with link to the full video: https://lnkd.in/e3-ETwgm #UNDRIP #FPIC #IIPWG

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Parts of Canada are experiencing an early forest fire season, with 1000's forced from their homes. Our latest article outlines some of the impacts on Indigenous communities. Climate Change and Emergency Management for Indigenous Communities https://hubs.la/Q02xgFMk0

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First Nations Major Projects Coalition (FNMPC) partners with Canada's Forest Trust Corporation (CFT) to support biodiversity and forest restoration in their latest Forest Growth Partnership at their 7th annual conference in Toronto. 🌳🤝 Together, they are planting over 3,000 trees, which are restoring habitats & capturing an estimated 820 tonnes of CO2—equivalent to over 6,000 flights between Toronto & Ottawa! 🛫🌍 "By integrating Indigenous values and consent, we not only honour the rightful stewards of our lands but also pave the way for a sustainable model that respects both economic and environmental thresholds," said Niilo Edwards, ICD.D, CEO, #FNMPC. "This partnership is a powerful example of how environmental stewardship and business can come together for the greater good." This collaboration underlines the power of combining Indigenous values and business in environmental stewardship. All businesses and events should follow FNMPC's lead by adding nature to the table. 🌱💼 #SmartForest #SustainableEvents #SustainableCanada #IndigenousLeadership #Partnerhips #ClimateAction JP Gladu BScF MBA ICD.D

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With logging and forest management, we get some valuable forest products (and carbon) and economic benefits out of the forest rather than seeing the carbon shoot up into the atmosphere as carbon dioxide and spending money fighting wildfires whose job it is to set the stage for replacing old forests with new forests. We must get back to being active in our forests - not passers-by. https://lnkd.in/gdkR8Whk

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Indigenous Peoples have been stewarding nature and land in ways that protect the climate since time immemorial. Today, high-quality forest carbon projects led by First Nations can be a path toward community land management and sustainable revenue. The First Nations Carbon Toolkit is for First Nations in BC interested in learning about forest carbon offset projects, particularly ones based on protecting intact forests and restoring forests degraded by logging. Contact us if you want support or are interested in a training session. BC Assembly of First Nations (BCAFN) and Ecotrust Canada are available for in-person delivery of this toolkit and virtual calls. Visit carbontoolkit.org to learn more about the First Nations Carbon Toolkit, which supports communities to engage in sustainable land management and revenue generation. #CarbonProjects #CarbonMarkets #Sustainability #ForestCarbonToolkit

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There are funding opportunities in more industrial sectors than you might realize. Today, learn about the Forest Sector Investment and Innovation Program.

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Welcome to the Brand New Turtle Island Community! We are thrilled to introduce Turtle Island Community, a platform dedicated to strengthening the collaboration between industry leaders and Indigenous nations. Our brand new platform is designed to promote Indigenous knowledge, foster meaningful partnerships, and support sustainable resource management. Key Features: - Connections: Network with Indigenous and industry leaders. - Profiles: Share your story and contact info. - Groups: Collaborate on Indigenous initiatives and projects. - Forums: Engage in discussions on Indigenous relations and resource topics. - Messaging: Communicate directly with peers. - Feed: Share and learn from community updates. - Directory: Find and connect with partners. - Webinars: Participate in live discussions. - Courses: Access in-depth learning about Indigenous engagement, history and impacts on the industry. Join the Community: - Individual Membership: Enhance your skills and network with Indigenous and/or industry leaders. - Corporate Membership: Equip your team with knowledge and connect with potential partners, resource and energy corporations and Indigenous stakeholders. Create your account now and engage with Turtle Island Community to drive positive change and support Indigenous leadership in the resource industry. https://lnkd.in/gEd3y6cX

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🎙Today on Beyond The Green Line, Shonelle Gleeson-Willey talks with Osprey Orielle Lake.   Founder and executive director of the Women’s Earth and Climate Action Network (WECAN), Osprey works internationally with grassroots, BIPOC and Indigenous leaders, policymakers, and diverse coalitions to build climate justice, resilient communities, and a just transition to a decentralized, democratized clean-energy future.   She sits on the executive committee for the Global Alliance for the Rights of Nature and on the steering committee for the Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty. Osprey’s writing about climate justice, relationships with nature, women in leadership, and other topics has been featured in The Guardian, Earth Island Journal, The Ecologist, Ms. Magazine and many other publications.   In this episode Osprey shares her experience in advocating for change alongside diverse communities. She discusses some of the root causes of the climate crisis, and why we need to seek systemic change in order to see a real difference.   You’ll hear about the pivotal role women play in decreasing carbon emissions and bringing about lasting change, as well as the importance of indigenous rights and how earth centred cultures may hold the key to healing ecosystems and living harmoniously with the land.   Listen now by searching Beyond The Green Line wherever you get your podcasts, or on our website at https://mossenviro.com.au #podcast #environment #nature #sustainability #climatechange #climatejustice #rightsofnature #ecofriendly #savetheplanet #sustainable #zerowaste #gogreen #recycle #green #earth #eco #plasticfree #sustainableliving #globalwarming #environmentallyfriendly #pollution #climate #reuse #conservation #naturephotography #water #wildlife #ecology

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📅Today is the start of the municipal financial year! It is a critical time for budget monitoring and community development. Let's work together to make our communities thrive! 💪💼 #LocalGovernance #BudgetPlanning #CommunityFirst

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⭐️ New Childcare Roadmap for Municipalities ⭐️ Produced by the Institute on Municipal Finance and Governance and the Urban Planning Institute “Canadian municipalities play increasingly important roles in addressing policy challenges such as tackling climate change, increasing housing affordability, reforming policing, and confronting public health crises. The growing prominence of municipalities, however, has led to tensions over overlapping responsibilities with provincial and federal governments. Such entanglement” between orders of government can result in poor coordination and opaque accountability. At the same time, combining the strengths and capabilities of different orders of government – whether in setting policy or in convening, funding, or delivering services – can lead to more effective action. The Who Does What series gathers academics and practitioners to examine the role municipalities should play in key policy areas, the reforms required to ensure municipalities can deliver on their responsibilities, and the collaboration required among governments to meet the country’s challenges.”

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