Local economies are crucial to building the prosperity, resilience, and inclusivity of urban communities across Canada. Local economies serve as the lifeblood of neighborhoods, comprising diverse sectors such as small business, entrepreneurship, manufacturing, tourism, finance and creative industries. By focusing on local economies, CUI recognizes the intricate interplay between economic development, social well-being, and environmental sustainability within urban contexts. CityTalk dialogues cultivate vibrant and resilient local economies that create opportunities for employment, entrepreneurship, and wealth generation while fostering social cohesion and community wealth-building. Amidst global economic shifts and technological disruptions, local economies are crucial to fostering economic inclusion, diversification, innovation, and adaptive capacity – resilience – within cities. By amplifying the economic innovation happening in local communities, supporting grassroots initiatives, and fostering cross-sectoral collaborations, CUI is amplifying how equitable and resilient local economies contribute to the long-term sustainability and prosperity of the Canadian economy, its urban regions and the rural areas that surround them.