The City of Yorkton is the recipient of the 2020 Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM), Award for Outstanding Institutional Contribution to the organization鈥檚 international programs.聽
The award, unveiled locally at the regular meeting of Yorkton Council Monday, 鈥渞ecognizes the excellent work performed by the City of Yorkton鈥檚 staff and elected officials in supporting Jordan鈥檚 local government to deliver municipal services more effectively through the Jordan Municipal Support Project,鈥� detailed a letter circulated Monday.聽
In 2018 the City of Yorkton entered a project with FCM and Global Affairs Canada, and working with聽Canadian partners:聽聽County of Colchester NS, Govt of NS, Capital Regional District of BC, Sylvan Lake AB, District of Squamish, City of Calgary, and Collingwood Ontario,聽explained FCM representative Randy Goulden.聽
In addition, the work was supported by a FCM staff team in Ottawa and on the ground in Jordan, working collaboratively with the Jordanian Ministry of Municipal Affairs. 鈥淭he Jordan Municipal Support Project (JMSP) supports Jordanian municipalities through improved municipal services and solid waste management. This initiative also works to promote social cohesion through inclusive community engagement, strategic planning and implementation,鈥� said Goulden. 鈥淛MSP works with Jordan鈥檚 Ministry of Local Administration (MoLA) and 12 partner municipalities in south and central Jordan, to help municipalities carry out their responsibilities more effectively and efficiently, leading to better delivery of essential services and to the building of a stronger foundation for the continued development of Jordan鈥檚 municipal sector.聽
鈥淐anadian and Jordanian municipal practitioners provide peer-to-peer technical assistance to elected municipal officials and municipal staff, MoLA staff and community members, including women and youth.聽鈥溌�
The award for Outstanding Institutional Contribution to FCM International programs recognize Canadian local governments and local government associations that have demonstrated exceptional commitment and leadership in the scope of their participation in FCM's international programs. The projects in which they participated distinguished themselves in terms of innovation, support from their council or board, and their lasting impact in their partner community.聽
The City of Yorkton and the City of Montreal were nominated for this award.聽聽
鈥淚n everything it does, the City of Yorkton team brings technical expertise and real commitment to the table. It also has聽a professional, friendly, and positive approach that is always appreciated by聽the JMSP team and Jordanian municipal peers,鈥� said Goulden, quoting from Lynda聽DeGuire,聽Project Manager at FCM.聽
鈥淎s a council member and a FCM board member it gives me great pride to acknowledge the Yorkton team of Michael Buchholzer, Aron Hershmiller, Jessica Matsalla, Darcy McCloud, and Lisa Washington have been outstanding in this project and in doing so, working with Canadian municipal partners, federal and provincial governments and international partners have brought best practices back to integrate in the work they do for the residents of our city,鈥� added Goulden.聽
鈥淥ur team now has the ability and the connections to have one on one conversations with people across Canada and internationally.鈥澛�
鈥淎long with enhanced skills and expertise in building inclusive communities, JMSP has increased knowledge sharing, community engagement, and most importantly strengthening the聽resiliency聽of our community.聽
鈥淲e applaud and recognize their service to municipal governments and thank them for their outstanding work representing the City of Yorkton and the people who call Yorkton home.鈥�
