Join us for an "exclusive" webinar with renowned author and keynote speaker Gord Hume as he shares his incredible knowledge and insight about the leadership crisis in local government and the looming challenges facing political leaders and administrators.
CANADIAN CITIES REQUIRE NEW FINANCING AND GOVERNANCE MODELS TO REMAIN COMPETATIVE IN GLOBAL ENVIRONMENT
As discovered in his latest book, Gord Hume reveals the growing discontent amongst Canadian municipal leaders. The growing discord speaks loudly to the the financial state of affairs in many Canadian towns and cities along with the strained governance relationships they have with their provincial or territorial masters.
“The Leadership Crisis” is the 6th book on local government by author, speaker and former city councillor Gord Hume. Having just been published, the research conducted (in 2015) included a national survey with nearly 1300 respondents. The research reveals a number of problems inside city halls as well as the much larger governance issues.
“There is a desperate need to open a serious dialogue about the need for long-term structural change in how municipalities are governed and financed in Canada,” says Hume. “Our research found a desire for bold new relationships between provinces and their municipalities. There has also been a decade of a federal government without an urban agenda, and that has impacted the global competitiveness of Canadian cities.”
Given the very modest amount of taxation generated annually by municipalities, it is clear why there continues to be a growing gap in building and addressing existing municipal infrastructure. The challenges also include the need for major transit and social housing needs. The book proposes a new 5-part definition of the infrastructure deficit. It calls for expanded authority for cities to receive a share of consumption taxes--Sales, Income and/or Gas taxes--to reduce dependence on property taxes.
“For most people and most businesses most of the time, local governments are now the most important order of government,” Hume says in his new book. “But they can’t compete internationally and attract the global talent and investment when cities are burdened by a 17th century tax system and a 19th century governance model.”
The book also explores key leadership attributes and challenges for political leadership today. In key chapter, the mayors of three communities that suffered terrible tragedies—Goderich, Ontario; Calgary, Alberta; and Lac-Megantic, Quebec—reveal their personal stories while leading their communities through a time of considerable public pain and turmoil. Another chapter examines the failings of some high-profile community leaders and the impact their ineptness and even corruption had on their cities. And another chapter reveals the “7 Cs” of great political leadership today.
Join Municipal World and the Ontario Municipal Leadership Instititute (OMLI) for an "Exclusive" webinar with Gord Hume and receive a complimentary copy of his latest book "The Leadership Crisis".
If you're not able to attend this webinar, we can send you a link to the recorded version.
Please contact info@omli.ca for more information.
