The FPEIM annual meeting will be held on Monday, April 27, 2026, hosted by the City of Summerside.
WELCOME FROM THE HOST
Speaker: Mayor Dan Kutcher, City of Summerside
Dan Kutcher was elected mayor of the City of Summerside in 2022. Prior to entering politics, he practised law in St. John’s, NL, and Summerside, PEI. He’s also an entrepreneur, volunteer, former political advisor, and current board member with the Federation of PEI Municipalities.
MUNICIPAL FINANCE IN A CHALLENGING ECONOMY
Panellist: Dr. Craig Brett, Professor of Economics, Mount Allison University
Craig Brett is a professor of economics at Mount Allison University and author of Toward a New Fiscal Framework for New Brunswick Municipalities for UMNB. He has co-authored scholarly papers on local taxation in BC and NB and written widely on fiscal federalism, federal-provincial equalization, and provincial budgeting in New Brunswick.
MUNICIPAL FINANCE IN A CHALLENGING ECONOMY
Panellist: David Campbell, President, Jupia Consultants Inc.
David Campbell is president of Jupia Consultants Inc., an economic development consulting and research firm based in New Brunswick. He is also a fellow with the Public Policy Forum, former chief economist with the Government of New Brunswick, and co-author of Toward Prosperity: The Transformation of Atlantic Canada’s Economy.
MUNICIPAL FINANCE IN A CHALLENGING ECONOMY
Moderator: Sally Pitt, Political Commentator & Former CBC Journalist
Sally Pitt describes herself as a political junkie who grew up with politics, staying up late as a kid watching elections on TV. She covered the PEI legislature as a reporter and later producer for CBC PEI. She is now a political commentator on CBC’s political panel on Compass.
FEDERATION OF CANADIAN MUNICIPALITIES
Speaker: Rebecca Bligh, President
Rebecca Bligh is president of the Federation of Canadian Municipalities, a councillor in the City of Vancouver, and a director at Metro Vancouver Regional District. She has worked on policy discussions related to the poisoned drug crisis, climate, community safety, and more significant investments in housing across Canada.
UPDATE FROM THE MINISTER
Speaker: Hon. Kent Dollar, Minister of Housing and Communities
Kent Dollar was appointed as the provincial Minister of Housing and Communities in March 2026. He has served as the MLA for Brackley-Hunter River since 2025. Minister Dollar previously served as a councillor for the Rural Municipality of Brackley and as executive assistant to the Premier of PEI.
REMARKS FROM PROVINCIAL PARTY LEADERS
Speaker: Robert Mitchell, Leader, Liberal Party of PEI
Robert Mitchell was elected leader of the Liberal Party of PEI in 2025. He previously served as a member of the provincial legislature from 2007 to 2020. During that period, his cabinet roles included serving as Minister of Communities, Land and Environment and Minister of Health and Wellness.
REMARKS FROM PROVINCIAL PARTY LEADERS
Speaker: Matt MacFarlane, Leader, Green Party of PEI
Matt MacFarlane was elected PEI Green Party leader in 2025. He has served as the MLA for Borden-Kinkora since 2024. In addition to more than 20 years maintaining a law practice in PEI, he has experience as an advisor to the Canadian Senate and Department of Foreign Affairs.
PRESIDENT’S REPORT
Speaker: Bruce MacDougall, FPEIM President
Bruce MacDougall is FPEIM’s president, a Federation of Canadian Municipalities board member, and a City of Summerside councillor. He brings more than thirty-five years of municipal experience, first elected in 1989 with the community of St. Eleanor’s and then the City of Summerside during the amalgamation process.
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S REPORT
Speaker: Satya Sen, FPEIM Executive Director
As FPEIM’s executive director, Satya Sen offers a comprehensive understanding of municipal government and politics, and provides strategic advice on complex legislative, regulatory, public policy, and governance issues. With degrees in law and island studies, he also brings expertise in urban and rural economic development, land use policy, and climate action.