CAMA was founded in 1971 and emerged from the participation of senior municipal managers attending the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) Annual Conference. Over the past five decades, CAMA has grown to an Association of over 650 senior municipal leaders across Canada dedicated to achieving excellence in local government and also establishing a much needed network nationally. 

2021 marks the golden year of our Association.

BUILDING A MODERN DAY CAMA - PART TWO

2005 - 2009

The decade that catapulted us into the 21^st century was a big one for the Canadian Association of Municipal Administrators.  It was one with a renewed sense of purpose and a desire to build a stronger more resilient organization.  There were so many changes in fact, that we decided to feature this part of CAMA’s history in two parts – 2000 to 2004, and 2005 to 2009.  Here is the second part of that story.

The year 2005 was a turning point for CAMA and launched a new trajectory that would pave the way for an exciting new future for the Association.  In the years leading up to this time, CAMA’s management was looked after by a third party, headquartered in Ottawa.  Challenges had begun to percolate, including financial strain and lack of quality service delivery. 

The Board of the day (see image below), led by incoming President Marc Laroche from Gatineau, Quebec, with the assistance of former President Paul Stapleton of Fredericton, NB, began to explore options for reorganizing the structure of CAMA’s management. The goal was to build a self-sustaining Association, with its own administrative staff to help run the portfolio of programs and services.

Without a doubt, the willingness of the Board, along with the City of Fredericton leadership team, breathed new life into the Association. For the last sixteen years, CAMA’s membership, reputation and impact has grown exponentially.