Summit 10 Key
Takeaways
1. Canada’s Edge Lies in Its Places: To attract talent, spark innovation, and tackle big challenges, Canada must level up the quality of its spaces.
2. Fight Polarization Locally: The erosion of trust in institutions starts and ends in our communities—local action can heal the divides.
3. Build for Beauty and Impact: Infrastructure isn’t just functional—it’s equity, climate resilience, culture, and meaning, all rolled into one. And it’s not inflationary.
4. Act Now by Starting Somewhere: Canada’s housing and mental health crises are everywhere, but proven solutions exist. We need to scale what works—urgently—by learning from the best.
5. Think Local, Act Local: Big changes start small. Empower communities with tools and resources to adapt and scale their solutions.
6. Diversify How We Invest: Canada needs flexible investment tools for every scale and every investor—public, private, and institutional.
7. Data Over Divisions: Drop the politics and act on the facts. Good data drives real change.
8. Digitize for Civic Power: Prioritize digital tools, AI, and accessible data to supercharge decision-making and civic innovation.
9. Own the Public Realm: Progress rests on leveraging the three P’s: procurement, public land, and the public realm.
10. Take Accountability: Canada’s future hinges on a resolution of longstanding jurisdictional problems. Devolve power and resources to communities to realize their full potential.