The Political Trenches: Local Government At Work

Welcome back to The Political Trenches: Local Government at Work.

I'm glad you've joined us because today we're doing something a little different. Over the past six and a half months, local governments across Canada have been dealing with no shortage of challenges—from housing and infrastructure to public safety, governance, budgets, and the changing relationship between municipalities, provinces, and the communities they serve.

Rather than choosing this episode's topics ourselves, we turned the microphone over to you.

Over the past few weeks, we put out a call asking our listeners to tell us which local government stories have mattered most to them so far this year. The response was incredible. We received close to 60 submissions from listeners in almost every province and territory, highlighting the issues that have captured attention in communities large and small across the country.

Today, Ian and I are going to dive into the seven stories that we believe best reflect what's happening in the political trenches—stories that illustrate the pressures, the challenges, and, in some cases, the successes of local government in Canada during the first half of the year.

These aren't necessarily the biggest national headlines. They're the stories that reveal what it's actually like to govern at the local level and what municipal leaders, administrators, and communities are grappling with every day.

So, we've got a lot to cover, and we're looking forward to getting into it.

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Website: https://www.crossborderinterviews.ca/ 

Website: https://www.strategicsteps.ca/

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© 2026

Welcome to The Political Trenches Local Government At Work. 

Gordon McIntosh has 40 years of experience in local government management, education, and consultancy roles, providing governance, strategic, and leadership services across Canada and internationally

He has delivered over 1,300 workshops to approximately 140,000 participants on a wide range of topics, including cost containment and revenue options, council–staff relations, personal and interpersonal leadership, respectful leadership and civility, realistic priority setting, strategic scanning, and collaborative approaches to achieving results in complex intergovernmental environments.

His research focuses on the political–administrative interface and the CAO leadership role. 

He has delivered keynote sessions, workshops, and customized programs for Indigenous, Métis, local and regional governments, and organizations across Canada and internationally, including in Palestine, the United States, the Caribbean, South America, Sri Lanka, Africa, and the Philippines, with participants consistently describing his sessions as fast-paced, interactive, humorous, and practical. 

Gordon, welcome to the Political Trenches.
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Subscribe to Show:

Apple Podcast: https://apple.co/3GISqEX 

Spotify Podcast: podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/thepoliticaltrenches 

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/crossborderinterviewswithchrisbrown

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Follow The Political Trenches:

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/crossborderinterviews 

Website: https://www.crossborderinterviews.ca/ 

Website: https://www.strategicsteps.ca/

The Political Trenches is Part of the Cross Border Network

© 2026

Welcome back to another edition of The Political Trenches: Local Government at Work.

After a longer-than-expected break, we’re back with two episodes before we head into our summer hiatus in July.

Today, we’re bringing you three stories making headlines across Canada. First, we head to Newfoundland and Labrador, where a man with a prior breaking-and-entering conviction ran for council earlier this year. Then we move to British Columbia, where a brand-new municipality is gearing up to officially get underway—but not until November. Finally, we stop in the Border City, where what started as a vote on a $72,000 public art project quickly grew into a wider conversation about how residents want their city to spend public money.

Later in the episode, we continue our exploration of the role of the CAO with a simple but important question: what makes a good CAO—and what helps them stay good at what they do?

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Chapters: 

0:00 - Opening 

0:04 - Introduction

1:34 - Story 1

9:03 - Story 2

13:38 - Story 3

18:44 - Interview with Gordon McIntosh 

41:53 - Closing Remarks 

44:04 - End Credits 

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Stories We Spoke About In This Episode:

Story: https://nationalpost.com/news/canada/he-committed-a-violent-home-invasion-now-hes-running-for-town-council

Story: https://cfjctoday.com/2026/06/24/b-c-s-newest-municipality-of-okanagan-falls-to-be-incorporated-in-november/

Story: https://battlefordsnow.com/2026/06/24/why-not-potholes-lloydminster-approves-72k-public-art-project-after-debate-over-spending-priorities/

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Subscribe to Show:

Apple Podcast: https://apple.co/3GISqEX 

Spotify Podcast: podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/thepoliticaltrenches 

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/crossborderinterviewswithchrisbrown

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Follow The Political Trenches:

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/crossborderinterviews 

Website: https://www.crossborderinterviews.ca/ 

Website: https://www.strategicsteps.ca/

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© 2026

Welcome to The Political Trenches Local Government At Work. 

Fred Behrens is the President of the Local Government Administrators of the Northwest Territories (LGANT), a professional association that brings together senior municipal and community government administrators across the region to support effective local governance, collaboration, and capacity building. 

In his role as President, he helps provide strategic leadership and oversight to the organization’s volunteer board, contributing to financial accountability and long-term planning for LGANT’s programs and initiatives. 

Alongside his role with LGANT, Behrens serves as a Senior Administrative Officer (SAO) for the Hamlet of Wekweeti in the Northwest Territories. 

His work focuses on supporting community administration and strengthening local government operations in northern communities. 

Through both positions, he plays an active role in advancing professional public service and improving governance practices across the region. 

Fred, welcome to the Show.

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Subscribe to Show:

Apple Podcast: https://apple.co/3GISqEX 

Spotify Podcast: podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/thepoliticaltrenches 

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/crossborderinterviewswithchrisbrown

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Follow The Political Trenches:

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/crossborderinterviews 

Website: https://www.crossborderinterviews.ca/ 

Website: https://www.strategicsteps.ca/

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© 2026

Welcome to another edition of The Political Trenches Local Government At Work. 

Today on the show, discussing viability in local government, how municipalities deal with funding agreements when provincial leaders change, and three political parties in Vancouver are working together. 

Then later in the episode, we heading back north of the 60th Parallel to chat with the President of the Local Government Administrators of the Northwest Territories, which is coming up next.

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Chapters: 

0:00 - Opening 

0:04 - introduction 

0:57- Story 1

10:29 - Story 2

16:50 - Story 3

22:32 - Interview with LGANT President 

36:28 - Closing Remarks 

37:46 - Credits 

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Stories We Spoke About In This Episode:

Story:https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/edmonton/gibbons-town-review-pause-bill-28-9.7165341

Story: https://www.ctvnews.ca/montreal/article/it-couldnt-have-got-off-to-a-better-start-says-quebec-city-mayor-of-new-premier/

Story: https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/cope-one-citycity-green-election-agreement-9.7165085

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Subscribe to Show:

Apple Podcast: https://apple.co/3GISqEX 

Spotify Podcast: podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/thepoliticaltrenches 

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/crossborderinterviewswithchrisbrown

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Follow The Political Trenches:

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/crossborderinterviews 

Website: https://www.crossborderinterviews.ca/ 

Website: https://www.strategicsteps.ca/

The Political Trenches is Part of the Cross Border Network

© 2026

Welcome to another edition of The Political Trenches Local Government At Work. 

It's an honour to welcome today's guest to the show. 

Michael Paulhus has served as Plainville, Connecticut, Town Manager since August 2022. He brings extensive experience from both the public and private sectors, with a strong focus on fiscal management, economic development, and community engagement.

Prior to Plainville, Mr. Paulhus was Town Manager in North Branford, Connecticut, for nearly a decade, where he emphasized financial stability, grant administration, and strengthening community relations. He also served the Town of Windham for thirteen years as Executive Administrator and First Selectman. Today, he continues this work in Plainville, including promoting the town through creative social media outreach.

Welcome to the Political Trenches, Michael.

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Subscribe to Show:

Apple Podcast: https://apple.co/3GISqEX 

Spotify Podcast: podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/thepoliticaltrenches 

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/crossborderinterviewswithchrisbrown

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Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/crossborderinterviews 

Website: https://www.crossborderinterviews.ca/ 

Website: https://www.strategicsteps.ca/

The Political Trenches is Part of the Cross Border Network

© 2026

Welcome to another edition of The Political Trenches Local Government At Work. 

Today on the show, we’re discussing the Alberta Government's new universal Code of Conduct for Municipal Councils, The City of Prince George is looking at an AI facility, and then, when is it appropriate to take a call from the Premier without overstepping your council? 

Then later in the episode, we heading South fo the 49th, to Connecticut, to chat with Plainville, CT Town Manager Michael Paulhus

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Chapters: 

00:00 - Opening 

00:04 - Introduction

01:19 -Story 1

11:05 - Story 2

15:51 - Story 3

20:42 - Interview

43:43 - Closing 

46:18 - Credits

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Stories We Spoke About In This Episode:

Story : https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/edmonton/universal-code-of-conduct-alberta-municipal-councils-9.7143917

Story: https://www.princegeorgecitizen.com/local-news/city-council-looking-to-continue-discussions-over-ai-data-centre-11983174

Story: https://www.ctvnews.ca/windsor/article/amherstburg-town-councillor-feels-targeted/

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Subscribe to Show:

Apple Podcast: https://apple.co/3GISqEX 

Spotify Podcast: podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/thepoliticaltrenches 

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Website: https://www.crossborderinterviews.ca/ 

Website: https://www.strategicsteps.ca/

The Political Trenches is Part of the Cross Border Network

© 2026

Welcome to the Political Trenches: Local Government At Work. 

When you talk about leadership in the North, you often hear about people who didn’t start out in politics at all—they started in their communities. Kandis Jameson is one of those people.

Kandis has long believed that strong communities start with strong institutions—especially education. Over the years, she’s served on both the South Slave Regional Board and the Hay River Board of Education, advocating for literacy, learning, and opportunities for the next generation.

That deep connection to community eventually led her to public office. Running on a commitment to building a healthy, growing, and sustainable Hay River, Kandis put her name forward for mayor—and the community responded.

Now in her third term as Mayor of Hay River, and second year as President of the Northwest Territory Association of Communities, Kandis Jameson continues to dedicate her time and energy to strengthening the town she calls home.

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Subscribe to Show:

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Website: https://www.crossborderinterviews.ca/ 

Website: https://www.strategicsteps.ca/

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© 2026

Welcome to another edition of The Political Trenches Local Government At Work. 

Today on the show, we’re discussing a regional chair in Ontario- who is appointed by the province - is in hot water with Municipalities in his region for floating the idea of amalgamation, a town in Manitoba is hacking the province to court, and the Mayor of Vancouver is in the hot seat for an apology he made. 

Later in the episode, we are heading North of 60 to chat with the President of the Northwest Territory Association of Communities

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Stories In Todays Episode

Story 1: Niagara has 'too many politicians' but amalgamation up to region's mayors: Premier Doug Ford

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/hamilton/potential-amalgamation-niagara-region-political-expert-9.7106016

Story 2: Town of Virden sues province, consulting firm over failed water supply: lawsuit

https://www.ctvnews.ca/winnipeg/article/town-of-virden-sues-province-consulting-firm-over-failed-water-supply-lawsuit/

Story 3: City councillor considers legal advice over Vancouver mayor's 'mistake'

https://www.biv.com/news/economy-law-politics/city-councillor-considers-legal-advice-over-vancouver-mayors-mistake-sean-orr-ken-sim-11963943

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00:00 - Opening 

00:04 - Introduction 

01:28 - Story 1

12:07 - Story 2

17:12 - Story 3

21:23 - Interview wth NWTAC President Kandis Jameson 

47:18 - Closing Remark

49:27 - End Credits

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Subscribe to Show:

Apple Podcast: https://apple.co/3GISqEX 

Spotify Podcast: podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/thepoliticaltrenches 

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/crossborderinterviewswithchrisbrown

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Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/crossborderinterviews 

Website: https://www.crossborderinterviews.ca/ 

Website: https://www.strategicsteps.ca/

The Political Trenches is Part of the Cross Border Network

© 2026

Welcome to The Political Trenches Local Government At Work. 

The role of the Chief Administrative Officer can be isolating at the best of times. It is often described as the narrow point in the hourglass—the space between council and administration where expectations, accountability, and leadership converge. 

But what happens when that hourglass narrows even further? When the administration is not a team, but a single individual? When the CAO is also responsible for finance, planning, operations, and even front-line service delivery?

Today, we are joined by Nick Frank, CAO for the Village of Edgerton, to explore what it truly means to lead as an administration of one. 

As “jack-of-all-trades” CAOs, Nick brings firsthand insight into the challenges, pressures, and unique opportunities that come with balancing governance, strategy, and day-to-day execution in small or lean municipal environments.

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Subscribe to Show:

Apple Podcast: https://apple.co/3GISqEX 

Spotify Podcast: podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/thepoliticaltrenches 

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/crossborderinterviewswithchrisbrown

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Follow The Political Trenches:

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/crossborderinterviews 

Website: https://www.crossborderinterviews.ca/ 

Website: https://www.strategicsteps.ca/

The Political Trenches is Part of the Cross Border Network

© 2026