Victoria to Host FCM Annual Sustainability Conference, February 8-10, 2011

OTTAWA, Dec. 9 /CNW/ - For the first time since its inception in 2001, the Federation of Canadian Municipalities' (FCM's) Sustainable Communities Conference and Trade Show will be held outside of Ottawa. The City of Victoria, in partnership with the Capital Regional District, British Columbia, was chosen to welcome delegates to Canada's premier municipal sustainability event February 8 to 10, 2011.

"It gives me great pleasure to congratulate Victoria on becoming the first community outside of the nation's capital to host this important conference," said Hans Cunningham, president of FCM and director of the Regional District of Central Kootenay, B.C. "We really appreciate the enthusiastic welcome we've received from the City of Victoria and the Capital Regional District, and we are gearing up for a fantastic event."

The 2011 Conference is expected to attract more than 500 delegates from all parts of Canada, and to contribute $1.8 million to the local economy. The conference offers municipal leaders and sustainability practitioners a unique learning and networking experience considered invaluable by past participants. Early-bird rates are available to those who register before December 15, 2010.

Keynote speakers include Gil Penalosa, executive director of 8-80 Cities, on ways to plan sustainable transportation for growth (February 8); Sadhu Johnston, deputy city manager of the City of Vancouver, on the role of public and private partner engagement in helping Vancouver to become one of Canada's greenest cities by 2020 (February 9); Amelia Shaw, manager of public consultation and government programs at TransLink, on TransLink's approach to community engagement, including market research, public consultation and social media strategies (February 9); and Mark Anielski, economist and author of The Economics of Happiness: Building Genuine Wealth, on how to measure wealth in a way that accounts for happiness, quality of life and sustainable development (February 10). Another highlight will be FCM's Sustainable Community Awards Reception and Ceremony, during which award winners will be announced in nine categories.

Conference information, including the program, updates, schedule and speakers' biographies are available at www.fcm.ca/scc.

FCM has been the national voice of municipal governments since 1901. It fosters the development of sustainable communities to improve quality of life by promoting strong, effective and accountable municipal government.

For further information: For further information:

or to arrange an interview, please contact:

Maurice Gingues, FCM media relations officer, 613-907-6399 or [e-mail], or Howard Markson, City of Victoria, 250-216-9822 or [e-mail].