Featured Guest
You’ll find this guest among our growing roll of Urban Champions.
Tim Fox
Vice President, Indigenous Relations, Calgary Foundation
Patti Pon
President & CEO, Calgary Arts Development
Karen Gosbee
VP and COO, Community Action on Mental Health and Addiction Stewardship Group
Jason Ribiero
Vice-Chairman & President, Calgary Surge
Beth Gignac
Chief Impact and Innovation Officer, United Way, Calgary
5 Key
Takeaways
A roundup of the most compelling ideas, themes and quotes from this candid conversation
1. Reconciliation needs to be front and centre
Tim Fox, Vice President of Indigenous Relations & Equity Strategy with the Calgary Foundation, puts forward that there are big gaps facing populations that have not benefitted from settler-created systems of philanthropy. The Indigenous population is the fastest growing population segment in the country. Fox issues a call to action to his colleagues to consider what that means. “There’s going to be this untapped human resource of Indigenous folks entering into the workforce in urban centers. And if you’re a part of the human services sector, for example, that requires you as a system to shift and change. Gone are the days where we should expect Indigenous people to increase their capacity. What are you as an organization and sector doing to shift and change your practice that is more inclusive, that’s more welcoming and provides a sense of belonging for this growing population?”
2. A city of paradoxes.
Jason Ribeiro, Director of Strategy at Calgary Economic Development, argues that what Calgary in the new economy has revealed “a city of paradoxes”. We can take pride that Calgary was named the most livable city in North America according to the Economist, yet it is also among the cities leading in income inequality. Despite having a highly educated workforce, the ground is shifting with the energy transition, and digital economy. Meanwhile, Calgary’s downtowns are in crisis. But, he says, there are important local initiatives leading the response, citing examples like the 1 Million Square Feet initiative, focused on re-animating downtown spaces.
3. Filling the gap between growing needs and declining revenues
According to United Way Calgary and Area’s Beth Gignac, across the country non-profit philanthropic organizations are facing a 4–6.2 billion-dollar reduction in revenues. 69% are experiencing in a decline in revenues, and one in five are not going to make it out of the pandemic. At a time when community serving organizations and agencies are needed more than ever, she argues that the sector needs to think structurally about how to sustain itself through and beyond the pandemic, and its relationship to government.
4. Addressing systemic disconnections across the system
COVID-19 has exposed systemic problems and gaps within and between institutional systems of support for the most vulnerable among us. According to Karen Gosbee, COVID provides an important opportunity to take action to better organize, integrate, and align systems surrounding mental health and addictions, across the continuum of prevention, promotion, treatment, and recovery.
5. Arts-led city building strategies for an inclusive environment
According to Calgary Arts Development President & CEO Patti Pon, arts-led city-building is at the heart of recovery. “Artists are our storytellers. This time will be remembered through the stories that artists will tell and express, through their lenses, through their eyes and hearts and minds… [We have to all] do our best to include artists at these very tables that are talking about the future, that are looking at ways to innovate.”
Additional Resources
Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada: https://www.trc.ca/
White Goose Flying: A Report to Calgary City Council on the Indian Residential School Truth & Reconciliation Calls to Action: https://www.calgary.ca/content/dam/www/csps/cns/documents/cauac/white-goose-flying-calls-to-action-cauac.pdf
Strengthening Relations with Indigenous Communities Impact Report by Calgary Foundation: https://calgaryfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/StrengtheningRelationsImpactReport2019.pdf
https://calgaryeconomicdevelopment.com/newsroom/calgarys-newcomers-as-economic-drivers/
The Indigenomics Institute is an Indigenous economic advisory for public governments, Indigenous communities and the private sector: https://indigenomicsinstitute.com/
The immigration conversation: How immigrants contribute to Alberta’s economic prosperity:
https://globalnews.ca/news/6613428/immigration-alberta-economy-prosperity/
Innovative new approach launched to bolster immigrants’ integration success: https://www.immigrantservicescalgary.ca/resources/news/2020/09/innovative-new-approach-launched-bolster-immigrants%E2%80%99-integration-success
Full Panel
Transcript
Note to readers: This video session was transcribed using auto-transcribing software. Manual editing was undertaken in an effort to improve readability and clarity. Questions or concerns with the transcription can be directed to events@canurb.org with “transcription” in the subject line.
Full Audience
Chatroom Transcript
Note to reader: Chat comments have been edited for ease of readability. The text has not been edited for spelling or grammar. For questions or concerns, please contact events@canurb.org with “Chat Comments” in the subject lin
From Canadian Urban Institute: You can find transcripts and recordings of today’s and all our webinars at https://canurb.org/citytalk
15:01:58 From Canadian Urban Institute : Welcome! Folks, please change your chat settings to “all panelists and attendees” so everyone can see your comments.
15:02:14 From Canadian Urban Institute : Attendees: where are you tuning in from today?
15:03:16 From Gay Stephenson : Hello from Vancouver!
15:03:38 From Jessica Mitchell : Hi everyone, my name is Jessica. I’m tuning in from Mohkínstsis (Calgary Foundation)
15:04:02 From Jason Adle to All panelists : Hello from Vancouver as well!
15:04:56 From Robert Plitt : Robert also tuning in from Mohkinstis. Happy to be here with you
15:06:07 From Shiv Ruparell to All panelists : Shiv here, tuning in from Mohkinstis (StrategyCorp’s Calgary office/public policy consulting). Thank you all for your time today!
15:06:27 From Shiv Ruparell : Shiv here, tuning in from Mohkinstis (StrategyCorp’s Calgary office/public policy consulting). Thank you all for your time today!
15:06:53 From Canadian Urban Institute : CUI extends a big thank you to our partner for today’s session, the University of Calgary School of Architecture, Planning and Landscape.
15:07:03 From Kirsten Frankish : Hello from Oshawa! Looking forward to today’s conversations. 🙂
15:07:32 From Abby S : hello from Toronto/Tkaronto
15:07:50 From Canadian Urban Institute :
Beth Gignac
United Way
@UnitedWayCgy
https://www.linkedin.com/in/beth-gignac-5469b2140/
Jason Ribeiro
Calgary Economic Development
@Jason_Ribeiro
https://www.linkedin.com/in/ribeirojason/
Patti Pon
Calgary Arts Development
@PattiPon
https://www.linkedin.com/in/patti-pon-3222056/
Karen Gosbee
Community Action on Mental Health and Addiction Stewardship Group
@KarenGosbee
https://www.linkedin.com/in/karen-gosbee-627b50b9/
Tim Fox
Calgary Foundation, Indigenous Relations & Equity Strategy
@timothycfox
https://www.linkedin.com/in/tim-fox-bb897849/
15:09:32 From Marion Goertz : Hello from Mohkìnstsis (Calgary) and a big thank you to all of you!
15:11:11 From Abby S : the recent report on the “whiteness”
15:12:05 From Abby S : of Canadian private and community foundations is a wake up call. as is the amount of funding (less than 1% across the sector) that goes to black organizations. I don’t know if indigenous organizations were broken out in the report.
15:13:10 From Robey Stothart : Hi from Mohkìnstsis (Calgary), grateful to be in your presence.
15:13:30 From Canadian Urban Institute :
Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada: https://www.trc.ca/
White Goose Flying: A Report to Calgary City Council on the Indian Residential School Truth & Reconciliation Calls to Action: https://www.calgary.ca/content/dam/www/csps/cns/documents/cauac/white-goose-flying-calls-to-action-cauac.pdf
15:15:41 From Tim Fox (he/him) to All panelists : Strengthening Relations with Indigenous Communities Impact Report by Calgary Foundation: https://calgaryfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/StrengtheningRelationsImpactReport2019.pdf
15:16:01 From Tim Fox (he/him) : Strengthening Relations with Indigenous Communities Impact Report by Calgary Foundation: https://calgaryfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/StrengtheningRelationsImpactReport2019.pdf
15:17:24 From Abby S : can Beth speak to this huge transfer of wealth? where is it going? we have been told it is going to DAF etc.
15:17:42 From Abby S : (some social impact investing at the expense of philanthropy too)
15:18:00 From Abby S to All panelists : cannot hear you Mary!
15:18:18 From Gloria Venczel : Mary- Can you pls adjust your mic? Hard to hear you.
15:19:46 From Lindsay Luhnau : i am proud to be part of loca linvesting yyc for that reason!
15:19:49 From Abby S : not the least of which (social investing) must address the endowments of
15:19:53 From Abby S : yes. but
15:19:57 From Abby S : you are faint
15:20:03 From Faryal Diwan : I can hear fine on my end
15:20:36 From Abby S : endowments of foundations and how those funds are used to advance missions. and the disbursement rates….
15:20:54 From Robey Stothart : It is quiet for me as well. Perhaps try increasing the microphone input volume in Audio settings?
15:21:23 From Abby S to All panelists : other panelists are all fine re volume.
15:22:14 From Beth Gignac : endowment disbursements rates are always available through annual CRA reporting. and, yes….the generational transfer of wealth is both an opportunity and a concern.
15:24:18 From Abby S : you are right that those discrepancies make most liveable an odd designation by ignoring widening income gaps
15:25:57 From Canadian Urban Institute to Abby S and all panelists : Hi Abby. Is the volume still low for Mary on your end?
15:27:47 From Beth Gignac : improved strategic integration is huge immediate opportunity!
15:29:08 From Shiv Ruparell : Calgary has a world-class MDP and CTP, both recently renewed by council. But the city doesn’t follow its own policies. You can have the best-laid plans and data to back them up as is possible, yet it’s useless if the political will isn’t there to actually execute (e.g. fine and good to talk about prioritizing density and bike lanes, yet we don’t follow up with actual investment). How do we meaningfully move forward beyond policy and towards actual execution and investment?
15:32:43 From Beth Gignac : execution requires an integration of systems, plans and strategies based on mutually reinforcing activities which are prioritized, together. this approach requires non-political, inclusive community leadership. Patti is RIGHT….
15:33:00 From Shiv Ruparell : @Patti – to the end to which you speak, can you think of any cities of comparable size that are models for this?
15:34:58 From Shiv Ruparell : @Beth – Agreed in principle, but at the end of the day political leadership is what moves the dial. You can have as much community engagement and inclusive grassroots leadership as you like, but at the end of the day policy execution and investment comes down to a vote by elected officials in a Council chamber. I think everything we are talking about is great, especially re: the arts. But we can’t have this discussion in a silo that is divorced from political reality. The political reality is that you have several Councillors who, in the name of ‘fiscal responsibility’, cut already low arts funding before anything else.
15:35:53 From Shiv Ruparell : So my genuine question to the panelists is: How can we translate this very insightful conversation into concrete outcomes?
15:38:21 From Abby S : quiet again (Mary only)
15:41:19 From Patti Pon (she/her) : @Shiv other cities we look to: Denver, Melbourne, Detroit, Charlotte NC, there isn’t any one perfect answer but we look for examples
15:42:34 From Beth Gignac : the focus has to be person-centred…..self in system
15:42:57 From Shiv Ruparell : @Patti – Awesome, thank you for providing those examples!
15:43:38 From Nancy Close : citizen focused indeed
15:44:34 From Shiv Ruparell : Any thought from the panelists on how the city can best seek to decolonialize the mobility (transport, transit, etc.) space?
15:46:52 From Patti Pon (she/her) : @Shiv the first step is to be sure that the people whom you are referring to are actually at the table in a meaningful way…do they see themselves at the decision making table in a legitimate and meaningful way to THEM
15:47:21 From Beth Gignac : design WITH vs FOR
15:47:29 From Robert Plitt : Calgary is ahead of the curve in terms of establishing the groundwork for transformative change since 2014. Its a great size and has tremendous assets. Post Covid Calgary may very well lead the way on equity, inclusion reconciliation and mental heath.
15:47:37 From Abby S : the concept of learning as another form of extraction is really enlightening.
15:47:53 From Nancy Close : yes, and already being surfaced through Listen and Learn sessions on current status of MH and Addiction in our city
15:48:15 From Joni carroll : So grateful every time I have a chance to hear you speak, Tim.
15:48:21 From Robert Plitt : love it – post colonial city building
15:49:33 From Shiv Ruparell : I like the with vs. for framing thank you @Beth. Thank you @Patti for your response too.
15:58:05 From Beth Gignac : accreditation is a long-standing problem and is based on colonial racism.
15:58:49 From Lisa Cavicchia to All panelists : https://indigenomicsinstitute.com/
15:59:26 From Beth Gignac : 211 data from across our country are telling us that mental health is THE biggest challenge
15:59:29 From Jason Ribeiro to All panelists : https://calgaryeconomicdevelopment.com/newsroom/calgarys-newcomers-as-economic-drivers/
15:59:39 From Jason Ribeiro : https://calgaryeconomicdevelopment.com/newsroom/calgarys-newcomers-as-economic-drivers/
15:59:47 From Canadian Urban Institute : The Indigenomics Institute is an Indigenous economic advisory for public governments, Indigenous communities and the private sector: https://indigenomicsinstitute.com/
15:59:49 From Beth Gignac : check out 8-80 Cities for inclusive city-building
15:59:59 From Jason Ribeiro : https://globalnews.ca/news/6613428/immigration-alberta-economy-prosperity/
16:00:28 From Jason Ribeiro : https://www.immigrantservicescalgary.ca/resources/news/2020/09/innovative-new-approach-launched-bolster-immigrants%E2%80%99-integration-success
16:00:35 From Nancy Close : fantastic quote Patti
16:00:43 From Canadian Urban Institute : Keep the conversation going #citytalk @canurb
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16:01:09 From Beth Gignac : we all need to think and act in systems!!
16:02:16 From Faryal Diwan : Thank you!
16:02:21 From Abby S : thank you Mary and CUI. dosage holidays to all. I will miss you the next few weeks!! city talk was amazing
16:02:27 From Rania Hiri to All panelists : Thank you!
16:02:37 From Beth Gignac : Thanks CUI for your openness and humble curiosity.
16:02:37 From Abby S : a happy healthy equitable just new year
16:02:37 From Patti Pon (she/her) : Verna Mayes Diversity is being invited to the party. Inclusion is being asked to Dance! Equity is choosing the Band
16:02:38 From Julie McGuire to All panelists : thank you
16:02:38 From Lisa Cavicchia to All panelists : And thank you Abby!
16:02:43 From Gloria Venczel : Thank you!!
