The Political Trenches: Local Government At Work

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Welcome to the Political Trenches: Local Government At Work, a new online show dedicated to local governance here in Alberta, across Canada and Around the World. Each week, Co-Hosts Ian McCormack (President of Strategic Steps Inc.) and Christopher Brown (Host of the Cross Border Interviews with Chris Brown) come together to talk about the big news and issues facing municipal governance.

  1. Full Interview: Village of Edgerton CAO Nick Frank

    FEB 23 · BONUS

    Full Interview: Village of Edgerton CAO Nick Frank

    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. ------ Subscribe to Show: Apple Podcast: https://apple.co/3GISqEX  Spotify Podcast: podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/thepoliticaltrenches  Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/crossborderinterviewswithchrisbrown ------ 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

    37 min
  2. The "Jack Of All Trade" CAO

    FEB 16

    The "Jack Of All Trade" CAO

    Welcome to another edition of The Political Trenches Local Government At Work.  Today on the show, we’re discussing a mayor in Ontario has his pay suspended for misusing strong mayor powers and harassing staff, a Saint John police union representative forcibly removed from council chambers amid governance tensions, and Winkler’s mayor calling for respect after the city was chosen to host its first Pride march. Later in the episode, we are diving into our series on the CAO, with a Jack of all Trades CAO. ------ Stories In Todays Episode Story 1: Renfrew County mayor fined 180 days pay for abusing strong mayor powers, bullying and harassment https://www.ctvnews.ca/ottawa/article/renfrew-county-mayor-fined-180-days-pay-for-abusing-strong-mayor-powers-bullying-and-harassment/ Story 2: Saint John police union rep forcibly removed from council chambers https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunswick/saint-john-police-association-bob-davidson-council-meeting-security-letter-board-9.7082961 Story 3: Winkler mayor urges respect after city chosen to host Pembina Valley Pride march for 1st time https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/manitoba/winkler-pride-event-pushback-mayor-respect-9.7074784 ------ 0:00 - Special Message 0:30 - Opening  0:34 - Introduction  1:33 - Story 1 7:34 - Story 2 14:11 - Story 3 18:23 - Interview with Edgerton CAO Nick Frank  37:36 - Closing Remarks  40:46 - End Credits  ------ Subscribe to Show: Apple Podcast: https://apple.co/3GISqEX  Spotify Podcast: podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/thepoliticaltrenches  Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/crossborderinterviewswithchrisbrown ------ 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

    41 min
  3. Full Interview: MMA President Nicole Chychota, and MMA Executive Director Adrienne Bestland

    FEB 9 · BONUS

    Full Interview: MMA President Nicole Chychota, and MMA Executive Director Adrienne Bestland

    Welcome to the Political Trenches Local Government at Work.  When you think about what keeps a community running, municipal administrators are often the ones making it happen behind the scenes.  The Manitoba Municipal Administrators, or MMA, has been supporting these professionals across Manitoba since 1931. With more than 300 members, the MMA focuses on education, professional development, and advocacy. Through connection, leadership development, and ongoing learning, they help build strong local leadership and support thriving, resilient communities across the province. To help us dive into the role of Municipal Administrator and the MMA we are joined by Manitoba Municipal Administrators President (and City of Portage la Prairie CAO) Nicole Chychota, and MMA Executive Director Adrienne Bestland.  Nicole and Adrienne welcome to the show. ------ Subscribe to Show: Apple Podcast: https://apple.co/3GISqEX  Spotify Podcast: podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/thepoliticaltrenches  Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/crossborderinterviewswithchrisbrown ------ 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

    34 min
  4. 5.02: Manitoba Municipal Administrators

    FEB 2

    5.02: Manitoba Municipal Administrators

    Welcome to another edition of The Political Trenches Local Government At Work.  We are continuing our dive into the CAO's role. Later in the episode, we will be joined by a team that is at the heart of Municipal Administrators in the Keystone Province. Manitoba Municipal Administrators President (and City of Portage la Prairie CAO) Nicole Chychota, and MMA Executive Director Adreienne Bestland.  But before that interview, we will be discussing the top stories making municipal headlines across Canada.  First, the city of Winnipeg is standing at a crossroads, staring south across the border and asking a difficult question: What does loyalty to partnerships mean when the political and economic winds shift?. Then, the City of Prince George has launched a federal petition calling on Ottawa to take stronger action on public safety and the justice system. Finally, In Smiths Falls, Ontario, two councillors were suspended by their peers after vulgar remarks were caught on a hot microphone, without an investigation by the town’s integrity commissioner. --- Chapters:  0:00 - Opening  0:05 - Introduction  1:43 - Story 1: This town suspended councillors without an investigation. That may be illegal, experts say 8:18 - Story 2 - City requesting signatures in order to send public safety petition to federal officials 13:43 - Story 3 -City of Winnipeg may cancel U.S. organization membership, nix funding for American business trips 20:36 - Interview with Manitoba Municipal Administrators President and Executive Director 40:59 - Closing  42:39 - Credits  --- Stories We Spoke About This Week:  Story 1: This town suspended councillors without an investigation. That may be illegal, experts say https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/ottawa/this-town-suspended-councillors-without-an-investigation-that-may-be-illegal-experts-say-9.7062810 Story 2: City requesting signatures in order to send public safety petition to federal officials https://www.myprincegeorgenow.com/242893/news/municipal-news/city-requesting-signatures-in-order-to-send-public-safety-petition-to-federal-officials/ Story 3: City of Winnipeg may cancel U.S. organization membership, nix funding for American business trips https://www.ctvnews.ca/winnipeg/article/city-of-winnipeg-may-cancel-us-organization-membership-nix-funding-for-american-business-trips/ ------ Subscribe to Show: Apple Podcast: https://apple.co/3GISqEX  Spotify Podcast: podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/thepoliticaltrenches  Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/crossborderinterviewswithchrisbrown ------ 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

    43 min
  5. Full Interview: CAMA President Brenda Orchard

    JAN 26 · BONUS

    Full Interview: CAMA President Brenda Orchard

    Welcome to the Political Trenches: Local Government at Work.  Today, we welcome Brenda Orchard, who is the Chief Administrative Officer of Lennox and Addington County, Ontario, with more than 25 years of experience in senior municipal administration, including 16 years as a CAO.  Over the course of her career, she has worked closely with municipal councils in three provinces—New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, and Ontario—across both urban and rural communities.  Last May, Brenda became the President of the Canadian Association of Municipal Administrators. ------ Subscribe to Show: Apple Podcast: https://apple.co/3GISqEX  Spotify Podcast: podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/thepoliticaltrenches  Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/crossborderinterviewswithchrisbrown ------ 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

    45 min
  6. 5.01: Canadian Association of Municipal Administrators

    JAN 19

    5.01: Canadian Association of Municipal Administrators

    Welcome to Season Five the Political Trenches: Local Government At Work.  We’re back in the trenches for another great episode. We are continuing our dive into the role of the CAO. And for our first edition of 2026, we are diving into an organization that works hand in hand with Municipal Administrators from across Canada, CAMA. We will be joined later in the episode by CAMA President Brenda Orchard.  But as always, we have three stories we have been watching. First, Senior Shuffle in Greater Sudbury has a new CAO, who is firing 5 senior managers, and the Town of Tiny is shining a spotlight on how much work the council is doing. Then, 2026 is shaping up as an important election year municipally. Finally, we are following up on a story from 2025 in Manitoba.  ------ Chapters:  0:00 - Opening  0:04 - Introduction 1:29  - Story 1 - Sudbury CAO explains why five city managers lost their jobs this week 9:37 - Story 2 - Council pay for next Tiny term gives insight to job demands 17:27 - Story 3 - 2026 Municipal Elections  21:19 - Story 4 - Southern Manitoba municipal councillor can return to office after appeal tossed 26:00 - Interview with CAMA President  51:50 - Closing Remarks  53:34 - Credits  ------ Stories In Today's Show: Story 1: Sudbury CAO explains why five city managers lost their jobs this week https://www.baytoday.ca/local-news/sudbury-cao-explains-why-five-city-managers-lost-their-jobs-this-week-11720715 Story 2: Council pay for next Tiny term gives insight to job demands https://www.midlandtoday.ca/local-news/council-pay-for-next-tiny-term-gives-insight-to-job-demands-11719031 Story 4: Southern Manitoba municipal councillor can return to office after appeal tossed https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/manitoba/rm-of-thompson-councillor-lawsuit-9.7037584 ------ Subscribe to Show: Apple Podcast: https://apple.co/3GISqEX  Spotify Podcast: podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/thepoliticaltrenches  Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/crossborderinterviewswithchrisbrown ------ 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

    54 min
  7. Look Back On 2025

    12/19/2025

    Look Back On 2025

    Welcome to The Political Trenches: Local Government At Work. Ian and I are back for the final time of 2025, with a look back on the stories that made municipal headlines across Canada, and your submissions regarding what took place over the last twelve months that we may have missed. Then, finally, we will be looking ahead to what the next twelve months may look like. ***********************************Subscribe to Show:Apple Podcast: https://apple.co/3GISqEX Spotify Podcast: podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/thepoliticaltrenches Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/crossborderinterviewswithchrisbrown***********************************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© 2025

    49 min
  8. High Level CAO Viv Thoss

    12/17/2025 · BONUS

    High Level CAO Viv Thoss

    Welcome to The Political Trenches: Local Government At Work.  Ian and I are pleased to welcome Viv Thoss, who is an experienced local government professional and Chief Administrative Officer with a proven record of leading innovative municipal initiatives. Currently serving as CAO for the Town of High Level, Alberta, Viv began her CAO career in the picturesque Village of Silverton, British Columbia.  We’re honoured to have Viv on the show today to discuss her experiences as a CAO in two different provinces, exploring how municipal administrative leadership compares and differs across provincial borders.  Viv welcome to the show. *********************************** Subscribe to Show: Apple Podcast: https://apple.co/3GISqEX  Spotify Podcast: podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/thepoliticaltrenches  Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/crossborderinterviewswithchrisbrown *********************************** 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 © 2025

    29 min
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Welcome to the Political Trenches: Local Government At Work, a new online show dedicated to local governance here in Alberta, across Canada and Around the World. Each week, Co-Hosts Ian McCormack (President of Strategic Steps Inc.) and Christopher Brown (Host of the Cross Border Interviews with Chris Brown) come together to talk about the big news and issues facing municipal governance.

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