Steinbach Mayor Chris Goertzen is taking on greater responsibilities with the Federation of Canadian Municipalities. Goertzen, who is President of the Association of Manitoba Municipalities, has been elected to the executive of FCM to represent Canada's 18 provincial and territorial municipal associations. Chosen by a group of his peers - the Presidents of his fellow associations across Canada - Goertzen's role will involve chairing meetings of the group and ensuring its concerns and issues become priorities for FCM. He looks forward to the role and feels it should benefit Steinbach and all Manitoba municipalities.

"Representing Manitoba Municipalities at the Federation of Canadian Municipalities is exciting and there's always lots to do. At the same time, as the new chair for all the provincial and territorial associations on the executive of FCM, I look forward to bringing forward the concerns of all municipalities across Manitoba (and Canada) and bringing those to the FCM board and having an impact on policy that's created for our citizens."

Goertzen says things are changing in that the federal government is coming to see municipalities as a real partner in building the country. He's pleased to be in the midst of that process.

"It's really important to know how programs are transpiring and to have influence on how those programs are developed. And so, to bring that Steinbach and Manitoba perspective, I think will be important for our citizens and important for our municipalities."

In his new role, Goertzen will also be working closely with Councillor Jenny Gerbasi, City of Winnipeg, who became FCM President during the conference.