Featured Guest
You’ll find this guest among our growing roll of Urban Champions.
Jeff Lehman
Mayor of Barrie
Danny Breen
Mayor of St. John’s
5 Key
Takeaways
A roundup of the most compelling ideas, themes and quotes from this candid conversation
1. More than one pandemic
The differential impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic are becoming clearer. Vastly different infection and transmission rates are being experienced in large metropolitan areas like the Greater Toronto Area compared to neighbouring urban areas like Barrie. For St. John’s, “challenges became advantages” when the isolation of being an island seems to have contributed to the low number of cases they experienced. But both Mayor Lehman and Mayor Breen question whether transmission rates are simply a factor of density and both credit the response of their communities in flattening the curve of the pandemic.
2. Impacts and resilience
Notwithstanding lower infection rates, the impact of the pandemic has been significant. Both cities have already experienced dramatic decreases in revenue and the tourism dollars that they typically draw in will not be there this season. St. John’s has cancelled its three major festivals. As Mayor Breen puts it “2020 has been an interesting year.” Starting with a record snowfall that shut the city down for eight days, and a substantial drop in oil prices, COVID -19 is just the latest shock for the city to absorb. Both mayors expressed new appreciation for the resilience of their constituents.
3. Supporting the recovery
Mayor Lehman identified the three elements of recovery as confidence, capital and capacity. The confidence is something that will need to come from all members of the community, the capital, from the federal and provincial governments, and the capacity is something both city governments are working hard to support in local businesses within the new environment. Much remains unknown, however, as economies are gradually opened in the absence of schools and childcare, restricted transit systems and the ongoing threat of a possible second wave. “There is no play book for what to do in this pandemic” says Mayor Breen.
4. Cities out front
Mayor Lehman noted that when the pandemic was first declared, cities moved “lightning fast” to close things down with an efficiency that surprised many and were able to prevent the worst effects of COVID -19. Cities are now being called upon again to surprise with their nimbleness and innovation in responding to the needs of local businesses and communities in the first stages of reopening. Mayor Breen calls on other levels of government to recognize the unique ability of cities to lead the recovery based on local strengths and priorities, with the reminder, “city building is nation building”.
5. Changes needed moving forward
Mayor Lehman has spoken of the need for recovery, relief and reform following the pandemic. The situation that Mayor Breen describes where the “feds have the funding, the province has the jurisdiction and the cities have the problems” is no longer an option for moving forward. The opportunities for structural change from this crisis include some form of “crash modernizing” of federalism. A Canadian resiliency bulk transfer from the Federal government, new taxing capacities for cities, or sharing a fixed portion of the HST are all options. The conversation is not new but the opportunity for meaningful change is.
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Ontario’s Big City Mayors urge provincial and federal governments to provide relief for municipalities, Large Urban Mayors’ Caucus of Ontario LUMCO
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 line.12:04:02 From Canadian Urban Institute: Folks, please change your chat settings to “all panelists and attendees” so everyone can see your comments.
12:04:12 From Chris Fraser to All panelists: Toronto
12:04:14 From Kate gunn to All panelists: greetings from Edmonton AB!
12:04:14 From Andy Thomson (OAA) to All panelists: Hi MAry, Jeff, from the Ottawa River in QC:)
12:04:21 From Alan Kan: I’m from Mississauga but watching from work in Richmond Hill right now
12:04:24 From Alan McNair: Greetings to Mayor Danny Breen and our Barrie Mayor Jeff Lehman!
12:04:26 From Abby S: tuning in from Toronto…Tdot
12:04:28 From Patricia Lewis: Hello from Alliston, Ontario!
12:04:31 From Heather Bennett: Beautiful downtown Toronto
12:04:31 From Canadian Urban Institute: You can find transcripts and recordings of today’s and all our webinars at https://www.canurb.org/citytalk
12:04:44 From Laurel Davies Snyder: Tuning in from Stratford, ON – I work for London, ON.
12:04:48 From Canadian Urban Institute: Keep the conversation going #citytalk @canurb
12:04:48 From Lauren Jessop to All panelists: Hello from Barrie, Ontario!
12:04:52 From Mark Woodgate: Grew up in Barrie but work in Urban Research in London, UK
12:05:06 From Emily Wall, CUI Staff: Today’s conversation is with Mayor Danny Breen, St. John’s, NL, and Mayor Jeff Lehman, Barrie, ON.
https://www.stjohns.ca/council-member/Mayor
https://www.barrie.ca/City%20Hall/MayorCouncil/Mayor/Pages/default.aspx
12:05:08 From PATRICIA RUNZER to All panelists: I am from Mississauga interested in hearing about public transit and what these cities are doing
12:05:10 From Gary Bell: Hello from Gary bell in beautiful Barrie
12:05:14 From Susan Prior to All panelists: Sunny St. John’s!
12:05:22 From Kory Chisholm: Greetings from Barrie, ON
12:05:25 From Canadian Urban Institute: CUI is looking for volunteers to help us continue the great work of our COVID-19 initiatives. If you can help, please contact us at covidresponse@canurb.org
12:06:07 From Mary Kenny: Mary Kenny from Halifax. Happy Friday discussion!
12:11:30 From Chris Fraser to All panelists: Mayor Danny Brean – please say hi to past Mayor Dennic “Doc” O’Keefe” and Kelly Mansell of Rocket Food. St. John’s is one of the best cities in all Canada – that all Canadians should visit. The great Noel O’Dea is probably salivating at the opportunity to do more amazing advertising to attract Canadians.
12:12:42 From Abby S: Opening parking lots to patios is a great idea.
12:13:01 From Emily Wall, CUI Staff: Folks, please change your chat settings to “all panelists and attendees” so everyone can see your comments.
12:13:02 From Philip Evans to All panelists: Agreed!!
12:16:12 From Philip Evans to All panelists: I’m curious if residents from outports around the bay are frequenting St.John’s more so?
12:19:02 From Chris Fraser: Mayor Danny Brean – please say hi to past Mayor Dennic “Doc” O’Keefe” and Kelly Mansell of Rocket Food. St. John’s is one of the best cities in all Canada – that all Canadians should visit. The great Noel O’Dea at Target Advertising is probably salivating at the opportunity to do more amazing advertising to attract Canadians.
12:23:00 From Abby S: This was a clarion call a long time ago…and was ignored sadly
12:32:51 From Philip Evans: I wonder if a shift towards a cultural economy (beyond tourism) is driven by individual creative entrepreneurs…creative farming practices in response to food security in Nfld?
12:33:16 From PATRICIA RUNZER: Did you layoff Transit Operators? Also are your providing free transit?
12:35:02 From Emily Wall, CUI Staff: Please help CUI improve its CityTalk programming with a short post-webinar survey – https://bit.ly/2zcc2SA
12:36:03 From Abby S: Well put Mary…
12:36:27 From Claudia McKoy: To the Mayors, Will seeking foreign direct investments to your cities play any role in your strategies to rebuild your economies post-covid-19?
12:36:40 From Philip Evans: wow. Agreed Mary!
12:36:58 From Abby S: Cities are not an “interest group”…And they are also hamstrung with regard to budgets and revenue generation
12:38:10 From Ralph Cipolla: do we have an obligation as a municipality for o tax increase for 2021
12:38:36 From Sheila Perry to All panelists: Very happy to hear a focus on Federalism with support to municipalities. reality of 80% living in cities is a huge factor facing us all.
12:39:01 From Canadian Urban Institute: Reminding attendees to please change your chat settings to “all panelists and attendees” so everyone can see your comments.
12:40:01 From Abby S: Why not allow cities to issue infrastructure bonds to create full connectivity?
12:40:23 From Abby S: The need for full and fair access as we move more and more online (whether we like it or not) is only going to increase
12:44:28 From Kay Matthews to All panelists: Thank you all for this very interesting conversation. I am sorry that I have to leave as the information is so interesting. Mayor Lehman, always a pleasure. Kay Matthews, OBIAA
12:45:41 From Philip Evans: Imagine if the snowstorm hit AFTER the pandemic. We still have flooding season we’re about to embark on here in Toronto…we’re not ready…resiliency investments won’t go to waste in cities.
12:46:08 From Canadian Urban Institute: You can find transcripts and recordings of today’s and all our webinars at https://www.canurb.org/citytalk
12:47:49 From Alan McNair: There has mostly been less public rancor over the last few months but the Conservative opposition has been scathing in their attacks on PM Trudeau to wind up their base in their leadership contest. This does not bode well for a political cultural change and longterm cooperation.
12:50:12 From Jared Dielwart to All panelists: What role does the current funding structure play in executing on localized affordable housing projects? (Cities have and know the need, but funding needs to flow from Prov. and Feds)
12:50:22 From Abby S: I do think that the speed was recognized.
12:50:53 From Abby S: Hairdressing?
12:51:13 From Canadian Urban Institute: Keep the conversation going #citytalk @canurb
12:52:06 From Chris Fraser: Might be wise to look outside of Canada for ideas in cities that work (keeping scale and size in mind). I’m very impressed with Copenhagen – where ideology is part of the election process and once the election is over – city leaders get together to make things happen. Can you imagine that in Canada?
12:54:11 From Canadian Urban Institute: CUI is looking for volunteers to help us continue the great work of our COVID-19 initiatives. If you can help, please contact us at covidresponse@canurb.org
12:55:13 From Emily Wall, CUI Staff: Please help CUI improve its CityTalk programming with a short post-webinar survey – https://bit.ly/2zcc2SA
12:57:31 From Canadian Urban Institute: #citytalk
12:58:04 From Andy Thomson (OAA) to All panelists: @Jeff, some architects have suggested a fast tracked SPA process could save developers more $ than DCC rebates for green buildings. Is Barrie thinking of any reform to accelerate SPA? What about partial DCC rebates for green builds?
12:58:52 From Andy Thomson (OAA) to All panelists: Haha:)
13:00:54 From Mayor Jeff Lehman: Thanks everyone for listening!
13:01:45 From Mary Kenny to All panelists: Our mayors are so impressive. Hats off to them!
13:01:51 From Francis Wallace to All panelists: Thank you everyone.
13:01:51 From Jared Dielwart to All panelists: Thanks everyone!
13:01:55 From Andy Thomson (OAA) to All panelists: Have a great afternoon/evening/weekend – thank you Mayors and Mary!
13:02:00 From Abby S: Thank you to Mary, CUI staff and these two wonderful mayors!
13:02:12 From Andy Thomson (OAA) to All panelists: And CUI staff of course!@
13:02:16 From Maureen Shuell: Thanks for insights!
13:02:18 From Philip Evans: Thanks Mary and mayors!
13:02:39 From Ralph Cipolla: from Ralph Cipolla of Orillia thank
