County supports program that bonds municipalities with First Nations
Peterborough County is the first uppertier municipality to partner with a unique national program that aims to improve relationships between municipalities and First Nations to foster joint economic development efforts
Councillors voted to support the First Nation-Municipal Community Economic Development Initiative (CEDI) after a delegation to Wednesday’s regular meeting by Joshua Regnier of the Ottawa-based Federation of Canadian Municipalities.
The program is a partnership between the federation and the Edmonton-based Council for the Advancement of Native Development Officers (CANDO).
It aims to establish sustainable and resilient relationships between elected officials, land management and economic development personnel and broader community members, Regnier told councillors.
The groups connect, learn more about each other and create a shared vision and formally commit to it through a relationship agreement. They then work together with a goal of developing joint, long-term land use and economic development plans and initiatives.
The partnership between Peterborough and the Kawarthas Economic Development, Selwyn Township and Curve Lake First Nation and Hiawatha First Nation was one of 80 successful applicants to the CEDI program in the summer of 2016.
Initial consultations led to a decision last November that involving OtonabeeSouth Monaghan Township (as Hiawatha’s geographic neighbour) and Peterborough County would add significant benefit to potential joint initiatives and support a regional approach.
The only other partnership in Ontario, so far, is between Thunder Bay and Fort William First Nation, Regnier said.
The program offers five or six workshops over three years led by a CEDI team. It also offers financial support through grants for peer mentorship, a study tour and community capacity building, the program officer said.
He sought a two-fold commitment from the county, which councillors approved.
First, to assign two CEDI champions (one staff and one elected official) to work with the CEDI team and other partners to plan the first joint workshop.
Second, to create a formal resolution to commit to the process for three years after the first workshop, including planning and attending two joint workshops per year.
The commitment also includes monthly meetings and champions’ time, about 12 hours a month. While there is no financial commitment, there is an expectation the county will provide in-kind donations of venue space for dinners and meeting, for example.
Coun. Sherry Senis, who took part in the first workshop with Selwyn, called it a “wonderful opportunity” for councillors.
Councillors did not decide exactly who would take part Wednesday; Warden Joe Taylor asked those interested to let him know.
NOTE: For more information on the program, visit https://fcm.ca/home/ programs/community-economic-development-initiative.htm .spelling
Indigenous representatives added to county committee
Councillors also approved a request to add representatives from Curve Lake and Hiawatha to the county official plan technical advisory committee.
Staff made the recommendation after consultation with the Indigenous groups.
Planning director Bryan Weir called it an opportunity to learn about each other’s planning process and overcome a lack of understanding that currently exists.