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  • Mental Health Matters: Building Supportive Mains Streets and Downtowns

    Note to readers: This video session was transcribed using auto-transcribing software.  Questions or concerns with the transcription can be directed to citytalk@canurb.org with “transcription” in the subject line.

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  • Building Better Lives: How Infrastructure Shapes Our Wellbeing

    Note to readers: This video session was transcribed using auto-transcribing software.  Questions or concerns with the transcription can be directed to citytalk@canurb.org with “transcription” in the subject line.

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  • Where’s the money? Addressing Canada’s Housing and Infrastructure Crisis.

    Canada is facing an escalating housing crisis, requiring both immediate interventions and long-term systemic changes. The panelists emphasized that the current lack of housing supply, coupled with rising costs, threatens to exacerbate the affordability gap in coming years. Steve Diamond said, “We’re about to enter a situation where, because of the fact that people can’t…

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  • What’s the Big Deal? Why Infrastructure Matters for the Future of Canada

    Karen Chapple introduced Canada’s infrastructure spending challenge, citing a decrease from 3% of GDP post-WWII to just 1.5% today. “We’re not addressing the challenges—climate, inequality, immigration—that we need to sustain our economy,” she said. This historical perspective suggests that Canada’s decline in proactive investment has stalled efforts to modernize and maintain infrastructure. The comparison to…

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  • What are the Challenges and Opportunities for Localism in times of Geo-political change?

    The panel explored how local governance can address polarization by focusing on practical, community-driven solutions. Jacqueline Lu highlighted the importance of delivering on basic services to rebuild trust: “If we can get down to making sure people’s basic needs are being met, there’s much more potential to start doing the bolder placemaking things.” By focusing…

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  • Developing innovative approaches to create more housing for communities across Canada

    The topic of streamlining approvals to accelerate housing projects was addressed by multiple speakers. They emphasized the necessity of reducing bureaucratic hurdles and shortening approval timelines to expedite housing development. This approach aims to increase housing supply and address affordability challenges in Canadian cities. Stéfan emphasized how lengthy approval processes significantly increase costs and create…

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