Municipal leaders from across the territory are gathering in Faro to talk about the big issues facing communities this weekend.

The Association of Yukon Communities (AYC) is hosting its annual general meeting and conference beginning today at the Faro Recreation Centre.

Diana Rogerson, the AYC’s president and a Faro town councillor, said in an interview last week the annual event enables municipal governments and local advisory councils to discuss issues they’re all facing.

They can also hear from a number of speakers and Yukon government officials.

With a review of the territory’s comprehensive municipal grant coming up, Rogerson said she expects that will be a major focus over the four-day event.

Many municipal officials are hopeful the territory will continue to offer as a separate entity the $50,000 municipalities have been receiving annually for their fire departments.

“The communities have really benefited from that,” Rogerson said.

It has enabled communities to set aside funds toward the purchase of new equipment or to offer training they might not otherwise be able to get to volunteer firefighters.

Solid waste also continues to be a major issue for every community and one that has been dominating the AYC conference agenda for a number of years.

Rogerson highlighted the need for a territory-wide solution to waste that considers general landfill waste, recycling and designated materials.

“Without a Yukon-wide (approach), we’re all kind of spinning our wheels,” she said.

With all the work that has gone into considering and studying the issues, she stressed, it’s now time for action.

While solid waste and funding for municipalities are issues that tend to come up each year at the conference, Rogerson said a newer topic that will likely arise will be around the anticipated legalization of marijuana in 2018.

Though federal legislation is involved, Rogerson said municipalities are now considering what bylaws around it will need to be in place for individual communities.

If grow operations are permitted, for example, what sort of restrictions will be considered, and where can they be permitted?

Rogerson noted the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) is looking at how the federal legislation will impact smaller communities across the country.

She believes it will be interesting to find out what approach other municipalities are taking on the issue.

“These conversations have been going on for some time,” she said.

While the main conference will get underway Friday, an administrators’ forum is set for this afternoon, followed by an evening meet and greet event.

The conference schedule then ramps up Friday morning.

There will be opening remarks from officials, along with presentations from interim Yukon Party Leader Stacey Hassard, NDP Leader Liz Hanson and a minister’s round table with Community Services Minister John Streicker.

As well, Yukon MP Larry Bagnell, who was at one time thie AYC’s executive director, will address delegates later in the day.

Premier Sandy Silver will serve as the guest speaker for the evening’s dinner.

Sessions on building safety, long-term planning and sport and recreation are also scheduled throughout the day.

On Saturday, delegates will hear from Jenny Gerbasi, the FCM’s first vice-president and a Winnipeg city councillor.

Delegates will take in a presentation on respectful relationships for effective government and participate in an interactive workshop.

A tour of Faro’s former lead-zinc mine, which closed in 1998, will take up most of the afternoon before a community dinner and silent auction in the evening.

Finally, on Sunday, members of the AYC will focus on the direction for the coming year with the group’s formal annual general meeting where resolutions are adopted.

Resolutions typically deal with issues the organization will take to the territorial government.

The meeting is scheduled to wrap up at around noon before the various mayors and councillors head back to their home communities.

Rogerson said her community is excited to welcome delegates to Faro and host the annual session.

“It’s a really big event,” she said.