Mayors are not Prime Ministers. Councillors are not Cabinet members.

However.

They all take an oath to protect the safety, security and prosperity of their dominion.

And while local government has no overt role in international affairs, it has become obvious during these first two tumultuous weeks of 2026 that city halls must be keenly aware of what is going on in the rest of the world.

International affairs impact Canada's municipalities in so many ways. Here are a few:

Immigration: are borders opening or closing? How will your local diaspora react to events in their homeland? Will federal policies change as to who is allowed in? How could policies impact your local workforce?

Prosperity: what are the economic implications for your local community if a regime change or civil war or significant event occurs? Could you lose a manufacturing operation owned by a foreign company? What global financial shifts could occur, such as the potential future impact on oil or gas exports after the Venezuelan situation?

Local safety: Is there a risk to community safety because of internal battles in a foreign land? Will any form of domestic, religious or other sectarian issues end up on local streets? How would the police be perceived by some groups?

Colleges: what implications are there for local colleges and universities? Federal and provincial governments are often tinkering with immigration policies that can have a dramatic impact on local education facilities—and that can mean the loss of good teaching job, or conversely, a lack of student housing if certain immigration categories are opened and student populations jump.

Land Use: are there implications for short or long-term housing? Will an influx of refugees or immigrants impact your local housing market demand and pricing? Are home builders aware of these potential shifts? Is there serviced land available?

Health Care: does your community have doctors and medical facilities sufficient to handle a surge? Would charitable agencies have the capacity to assist? Are there any public health concerns?

Opportunities: what new opportunities might foreign events create for local communities? Would foreign investors try to get dollars out of their previous country? Conversely, are federal policies (for example, sanctions) restricting or denying that opportunity?

Politics: what goes on around the world travels in real time. News events are broadcast live, within minutes, and local media often want local reactions. City hall leaders must be aware of what is happening—and think carefully about the implications of a statement for the media.

Getting involved with world affairs is potentially a minefield for local politicians. But in a world of the 24-hour news cycle and the instant reach of international events to a global audience, Canadian municipal leaders are realizing that while they are rightly focused on the local—they are also wise to keep an eye on the global.