The Political Trenches: Local Government At Work

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The Political Trenches: Local Government At Work

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: Saskatchewan Ombudsman Sharon Pratchler

    2D AGO · BONUS

    Full Interview: Saskatchewan Ombudsman Sharon Pratchler

    Welcome to the Political Trenches: Local Government At Work. Today we have a very special guest with us. Sharon Pratchler holds a Bachelor of Commerce and LL. B from the University of Saskatchewan. She received her designation as Counsel learned in the Law in 2005. She is a member of the Law Society of Saskatchewan since 1993. She is a member of the Canadian Bar Association, serving as Chair 2015-2016 preceded by successive terms on the executive, including Treasurer. Ms. Pratchler has had many professional highlights throughout her career, after starting out in private practice she spent most of her career as a lawyer in public service. She has served in the positions of Senior Crown Counsel, Constitutional Law Branch, a secondment to the Ministry of Central Services, the Litigation Unit, Civil Law Division, Registrar- Court of King’s Bench and Provincial Court and Executive Officer- Court Services, Secondment – Civil Law Branch, Ministry of Justice – Solicitor and Crown Prosecutor, Moose Jaw and Regina Prosecutions Unit and Director of Economic Crime, Regina Prosecutions Unit. She has also served in several community leadership roles throughout her career. And in 2022, she was appointed as the Provincial Ombudsman for the Province of Saskatchewan, a role that she has served with honour and distinction. So, with that Sharon, welcome to the show. *********************************** Learn More About Today's Guest: https://ombudsman.sk.ca/ *********************************** 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

    1h 5m
  2. 'The Ombudsman'

    MAY 12

    'The Ombudsman'

    Welcome to the Political Trenches Local Government At Work. While our last few episodes have been about leadership, today we are taking a bit of a detour and talking about a position that is often overlooked and sometimes misunderstood - The Provincial Ombudsman. Today, we are honoured to be joined by Sharon Pratchler, the Saskatchewan Ombudsman. But before we get into all that, we've got some big, juicy topics to sink our teeth into. The last time Ian and I chatted on the show, a federal election was just called, the leader of the Catholic Church was Pope Francis, and Newfoundland and Labrador had a Premier named Andrew Furey. Flash forward almost a month, and—surprise!—everything's changed. *********************************** Purchase (Un)Civil Society: https://www.municipalworld.com/product/uncivil-society-countering-gaslighting-stalking-and-other-forms-of-abuse-ian-mccormack/ *********************************** Learn More About Today's Guest: https://ombudsman.sk.ca/ *********************************** 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
  3. Full Interview: CAO Kelly Lloyd

    APR 21 · BONUS

    Full Interview: CAO Kelly Lloyd

    Welcome to the Political Trenches: Local Government At Work. We are continuing our journey in the Municipal leadership. Today we are discussing Dual leadership. To help do that, we are speaking with Kelly Lloyd. Grounded in governance, Kelly focuses on moving the needle towards sustainable service delivery for the municipality. Her most significant professional accomplishment to date, was the designing and building of all administrative departments, as the Senior Administrative Officer, for the first community-owned fibre network in Canada, O-NET.
 Three years ago in 2022, Kelly became the CAO of not one but two Communities in Southern Alberta. The Town of Milk River, and the Village of Warner. 

 With that Welcome to the show Kelly *********************************** 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

    30 min
  4. "Dual Leadership"

    APR 14

    "Dual Leadership"

    Welcome to the Political Trenches: Local Government At Work It’s all about Municipal Leadership over the last few episodes and today is no different. Today we are discussing an issue of much importance. “Dual Leadership” in the Municipal Sector. To do that, we are going to speak with someone who isn’t just a CAO of one Municipality, but two. But, along for this ride into Dual Leadership is our friend from the East Coast, Mr. Craig Pollett, who is filling in for Ian - as Ian's Travel plans back to Wildrose County got off to a bumpy start. ***********************************0:00 - Opening  0:04 - Introduction  0:58 - Story 1 - Central Newfoundland mayors hope Furey's resignation won't stall ongoing projects 8:36 - Story 2 - Just 2 years old, an N.B. council is in turmoil after resignations and sanctions 18:27 - Story 3 - Union complains after Winnipeg mayor says he wants staff back in office full-time 24:14 - Interview - Kelly Lloyd CAO Town of Milk River, and Village of Warner  43:05 - Closing  44:34 - Credits  *********************************** Stories In Today's Show:Central Newfoundland mayors hope Furey's resignation won't stall ongoing projects https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/newfoundland-labrador/central-newfoundland-mayors-hope-furey-s-resignation-won-t-stall-ongoing-projects-1.7470334  Just 2 years old, an N.B. council is in turmoil after resignations and sanctions https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunswick/strait-shores-council-meeting-mayor-resigns-1.7481724 Union complains after Winnipeg mayor says he wants staff back in office full-time https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/manitoba/winnipeg-mayor-work-from-home-city-return-to-office-1.7486122 *********************************** 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

    45 min
  5. Full Interview: RMAA President Sheila Keisig

    APR 7 · BONUS

    Full Interview: RMAA President Sheila Keisig

    Welcome to the Political Trenches: Local Government At Work. We are continuing our journey in the Municipal leadership World Today. With Sheila Keisig, President of the Rural Municipal Administrators' Association of SaskatchewanSheila grew up on a mixed farm south of Kisbey, Saskatchewan. She attended Lampman School from K-12 in Lampman, Saskatchewan. Sheila started her training at the R.M. of Tullymet No. 216, with the office located between ltuna and Balcarres, in 2005. After receiving her Rural Class "C" Certificate, she was hired as the Administrator of the R.M. of Tullymet No. 216 in November 2006 upon the retirement of the previous administrator. In May 2010, Sheila received her Rural Class "A" Certificate. Sheila and her husband Travis farm south of ltuna. They have two grown daughters, both living within an hour of their farm. Between work and the RMAA Board, Sheila keeps busy with farming and family.Sheila was elected to the Board in 2013 as Director for Division 1, elected as Vice President in 2020 and President in 2024. With that Welcome to the show Shelia***********************************Learn More About Today's Guest: https://rmaa.ca/***********************************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

    34 min
  6. 'Rural Leadership'

    MAR 31

    'Rural Leadership'

    Welcome to the Political Trenches: Local Government At WorkWe are continuing our journey in the Leadership Realm, and this week we are sitting down with the President of the Rural Municipal Administrators' Association of SaskatchewanBut, before we get to our interview, we have some stories we will dive into. *********************************** 0:00 - Opening 0:03 - Introduction 0:46 - Story #1 - Municipal Leaders Run Federally 6:37 - Story #2 - Question and Answer Session Back 12:14 - Story #3 - Full Time or Part Time Council? 18:24 - Interview - RMAA President Shiela Keisig 35:13 - Closing 36:58 - End Credits ***********************************Stories In Today's Show:Local elected officials take leave of absence to run federally:Guelph: https://www.ctvnews.ca/kitchener/article/guelph-councillor-taking-leave-of-absence-to-run-in-federal-election/Edmonton: https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/edmonton/edmonton-mayor-sohi-canada-election-2025-1.7491167?cmp=rssYellowknife: https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/north/alty-liberal-candidate-federal-election-1.7489917Victoria County reinstates Q&A sessions to council meetings:https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/nova-scotia/victoria-county-reinstating-public-q-and-a-sessions-1.7492548?cmp=rssLondon ON, should councillors be full time or part time?https://www.ctvnews.ca/london/video/2025/03/20/should-councillors-be-full-time-or-part-time/***********************************Learn More About Today's Guest:https://rmaa.ca/***********************************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

    37 min
  7. Full Interview: The Elan Project Founder Catherine McCook

    MAR 25 · BONUS

    Full Interview: The Elan Project Founder Catherine McCook

    Welcome to the Political Trenches: Local Government At Work. We’re here to unpack the key issues, of leadership in this new global and local world. To discuss this we are joined by Catherine McCook is a city councillor, leadership and performance coach, and board member of the Riseup Society of Alberta. With a background in Criminal Justice and training in Interviewing and Interrogations, she brings a sharp, multidimensional approach to leadership and system change.As the founder of The Elan Project, Catherine empowers women, supports leaders, and consults organizations on fostering people-first cultures that drive engagement, innovation, and long-term success. She is dedicated to transforming organizations and leadership through a human-centric approach and through a socio-economic lens that challenges outdated systems and promotes equity.A fierce advocate for women in leadership and workplace well-being, Catherine believes in disrupting the status quo for good—breaking down entrenched barriers, reshaping leadership norms, and redefining success in ways that prioritize people over rigid hierarchies. Whether tackling toxicity in politics, workplace inequities, or leadership gaps, she draws from her lived experience to help individuals and organizations lead, work, govern, and grow in more sustainable and impactful ways.With that Welcome to the show Catherine.***********************************Learn More About Todays Guest: https://theelanproject.com/***********************************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

    35 min
  8. 'The Elan Project'

    MAR 17

    'The Elan Project'

    Welcome to the Political Trenches: Local Government At Work We are making abit of a detour this episode and talking about an important topic as we head into a uncertain global time. "Leadership" To help us unpack municipal leadership, today we sit down with Catherine McCook the founder and CEO of The Elan Project. But, before our chat with Catherine,, we have some stories we are going to dive into. *********************************** Stories In Today's Show: Could N.S. be considering strong-mayor powers for Halifax? https://www.cbc.ca/amp/1.7464928 Vancouver Coun. Rebecca Bligh kicked out of ABC caucus https://www.cbc.ca/amp/1.7460001 Cremona councillors resign as province appoints overseer due to 'dysfunction' https://calgaryherald.com/news/local-news/cremona-councillors-resign-province-appoints-overseer-dysfunction *********************************** Learn More About Todays Guest: https://theelanproject.com/ *********************************** 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

    40 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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