Brampton Regional Councillor Rowena Santos has concluded an “energizing” few days at the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) board meeting in Dorval, Quebec, where she joined municipal leaders from over 2,000 towns and cities across Canada to tackle pressing national challenges. Representing Brampton on the FCM Board of Directors for her fifth consecutive year, Santos underscored the power of collaboration, declaring, “Stronger together, we are working harder than ever to protect and uplift our local communities.”
The meeting, hosted in Dorval from March 18-20, buzzed with critical updates and strategic planning as FCM gears up for a pivotal year. With a U.S.-Canada trade war looming—sparked by President Donald Trump’s recent 25% tariffs on steel and aluminum imports—Santos and her colleagues rolled out initiatives to shield local economies. “Now more than ever, we’re standing up for our communities against trade disruptions,” Santos said, echoing Brampton’s recent “Made in Canada” procurement push, which she helped champion alongside Mayor Patrick Brown. That campaign, launched in January 2025, urges municipalities to prioritize Canadian goods, leveraging FCM’s $30 billion annual procurement clout.
A new FCM strategic plan also took center stage, aiming to unify Canada’s municipalities under a bold vision for resilience and growth. “It’s about aligning our efforts coast to coast,” Santos noted, highlighting her role as Chair of FCM’s Municipal Finance, Infrastructure, and Transportation Committee. Discussions also pivoted to the upcoming federal election—widely expected to launch March 23—where FCM is sharpening its advocacy to ensure municipal voices shape Ottawa’s agenda. Santos emphasized a key ask: an updated fiscal framework. “Cities like Brampton manage over 60% of public infrastructure with just 10 cents of every tax dollar. That math hasn’t made sense since 1867—it’s time for a reset.”
The Dorval gathering wasn’t all work. Santos, a self-described “proud Bramptonian,” relished networking with her “FCM fam,” forging bonds that fuel her passion for municipal leadership. “It’s an honour to serve alongside such incredible colleagues,” she shared on Facebook, capping a week of policy debates, trade war countermeasures, and election plotting. Her five-year tenure on the FCM Board—re-elected most recently in 2024—reflects her clout as a tireless advocate for equity, infrastructure, and local empowerment, from Brampton to beyond.
Since her 2018 election as the first Filipino councillor in Peel Region, Santos has brought a unique blend of grassroots grit and policy chops to FCM. With degrees from Schulich School of Business and the London School of Economics, plus a decade at Ontario’s provincial legislature, she’s a force for change—pushing for transit funding (like Brampton’s $106 million Canada Public Transit Fund win in January) and innovative solutions like the city’s Residential Rental Licensing pilot. Her Dorval updates signal more to come: “We’re just getting started.”
About Rowena Santos
Rowena Santos is Regional Councillor for Brampton Wards 1 & 5 and a Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) Board member, representing over 2,000 municipalities nationwide. As Chair of FCM’s Municipal Finance, Infrastructure, and Transportation Committee, she drives policies to bolster local economies and infrastructure. A Brampton resident and mother, Santos is passionate about building inclusive, sustainable communities.
About FCM
The Federation of Canadian Municipalities has been the national voice of municipal government since 1901, uniting over 2,000 members—representing 92% of Canadians—to advocate for local priorities at the federal level.