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: Gordon McIntosh

    9h ago ·  Bonus

    Full Interview: Gordon McIntosh

    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.------ 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
  2. The Ongoing Training of The CAO

    Jun 29

    The Ongoing Training of The CAO

    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? ----- 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  ----- 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/ ------ 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
  3. Full Interview: LGANT President Fred Behrens

    Apr 27 ·  Bonus

    Full Interview: LGANT President Fred Behrens

    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. ------ 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

    31 min
  4. 'Local Government Administrators of the Northwest Territories'

    Apr 20

    'Local Government Administrators of the Northwest Territories'

    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. ----- 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  ----- 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 ------ 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

    38 min
  5. Full Interview: Plainville Town Manager Michael T. Paulhus

    Apr 13 ·  Bonus

    Full Interview: Plainville Town Manager Michael T. Paulhus

    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. ------ 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

    48 min
  6. 'The American Town Manager'

    Apr 6

    'The American Town Manager'

    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 ----- 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 ----- 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/ ------ 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

    47 min
  7. Full Interview - NWTAC President Kandis Jameson

    Mar 23 ·  Bonus

    Full Interview - NWTAC President Kandis Jameson

    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. ------ 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

    44 min
  8. North of 60

    Mar 16

    North of 60

    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 ------ 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 ------ 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 ------ 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

    50 min
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About

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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