Events

Live video recordings of online discussions

Podcasts

In-depth, long-form topical conversations

Housing and Homelessness

  • Let’s Talk About Placemaking: Scaling Impact, Building Community

    Placemaking is a powerful tool for fostering connection, strengthening local identity, and enhancing public spaces in ways that resonate with people’s lived experiences. It also plays a crucial role in helping communities recover from crises. The discussion highlighted placemaking as an instinctive and universal concept that transcends geography, culture, and history. Ryan Smolar underscored its…

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  • Good Neighbours, Strong Regions: Cultivating Regional, Cross-border Strategies to Build Local Economies

    The discussion highlighted the growing importance of cross-border and regional cooperation in strengthening local economies. Panellists emphasized that economic regions often span provincial and national borders, creating both challenges and opportunities. For example, Isabelle Veilleux noted that while Gatineau and Ottawa are physically close, differing regulations complicate labor mobility and transit systems. Strengthening collaboration across…

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  • When Global Hits Local: Navigating Tariffs on Canada’s Main Streets

    Mayor Justin Towndale of the City of Cornwall highlighted how deeply intertwined Canadian border communities are with their American neighbors. He emphasized that municipalities must address local challenges like housing, healthcare, and economic pressures while navigating the impact of tariffs and trade disruptions. Having already met with some of his peers in New York State,…

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  • From Policy to Prosperity: Local Economic Development That Works

    Panelists agreed that consumers are wielding significant power over the economy, particularly as they grapple with financial pressures. Gordon Stevens noted that consumers “start to talk and act with their pocketbooks” when facing challenges. Shelley Carroll echoed this, stating that “the consumer really is the boss right now,” emphasizing that their spending choices (or lack…

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  • Looking Ahead: What’s in store for urban Canada in 2025?

    The panelists unanimously agreed that housing, affordability, and homelessness continue to be some of the most pressing issues facing urban Canada in 2025. Mayor Andy Fillmore of Halifax emphasized, “Housing and homelessness, congestion and transit and affordability … Those are really the things that we’re wrestling with.” These challenges have eclipsed other important issues, such…

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  • A house for sale stands in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, on Saturday, Feb. 15, 2020. A shrinking supply of available homes for sale in Canada's largest city continued to drive prices higher last month, bringing annual increases to the strongest in more than two years. Photographer: Brett Gundlock/Bloomberg

    Housing Solutions: Real Estate and Land for Thriving Communities

    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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  • A Continental Perspective: Making Canada Matter More from the Ground Up

    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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  • 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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  • 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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  • Let’s Talk about Place! How Art, Nature, Culture and Business can co-exist for Good Cities

    Featuring guest moderator and placemaking specialist, Jacquelyn West.

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