**CITY OF TIMMINS NEWS RELEASE**

The Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) recently announced that the City of Timmins is among five candidates for the 2019 institutional award, for its contribution to FCM international programs; specifically, for the Timmins Economic Development’s (TEDC) involvement in the Partnerships for Municipal Innovation: Local Economic Development (PMI-LED) program. 

“This award is given to Canadian local governments and local government associations that have demonstrated exceptional commitment and leadership in the scope of their participation in FCM’s international program,” explained City of Magog Mayor Vicki-May Hamm in a letter to Timmins Mayor George Pirie. “The success of FCM’s international programs is due in great part to the incredible contribution of hundreds of dedicated municipal experts, such as those in TEDC/City of Timmins, who have given precious time and energy to FCM’s international programs since 1987.” 

Representatives at the City of Timmins are truly honoured by this recognition, and proud to contribute on a National level. 

“FCM members include more than 2,000 municipalities of all sizes and 20 provincial and territorial municipal associations, together representing more than 90 percent of all Canadians from coast to coast to coast,” explained Mayor Pirie. “To be among just five chosen as a contender for this award is a huge honour and acknowledgement of the hard work and dedication to economic growth that we have in our community.” 

In regards to the project that merited this recognition and the partnership between Vinto, Bolivia and the City of Timmins in conjunction with the TEDC to empower women and youth, the FCM writes: “By sharing technical expertise and life experiences, the residents of Timmins have developed strong relationships that will help advance gender equality in the South American town…While the official beneficiary community of the PMI-LED initiative is Vinto, Timmins is also on a learning curve as Bolivians share their expertise, for example by passing on their farming knowledge about native crops such as quinoa, which is showing promise in northeastern Ontario in response to increased consumer demand. Timmins has made significant contributions over the years to international development.”

To date, Timmins delegates have done three missions to Bolivia and the Bolivian delegation has visited our community twice. Timmins participants include Timmins Business Improvement Association Executive Director and Councillor Noella Rinaldo, TEDC CEO Christy Marinig, TEDC Director of Community Development Maggie Matear, TEDC Business Development Officer Brittany Bernard, TEDC Director of Business Development and Retention Brenda Camirand, along with several other members of the community. 

“I think we can all agree that the international experience was very valuable,” said Marinig. “We also learned from our Bolivian counterparts and they were very receptive to working with us on the project.” 

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