Events

Live video recordings of online discussions

Podcasts

In-depth, long-form topical conversations

Local Economies

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.

  • CityTalk Podcast

    Small is Still Beautiful

    As global investors descended on Toronto recently to consider putting their money into Canada’s infrastructure (and airports), Mary Rowe wanted to consider how to generate more investment in the independent businesses that represent the bulk of the local economies in most every community. Joining in this considerate conversation are small business advocates Amy Robinson, founder of LOCO…

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  • CityTalk Podcast

    Carry-on Economics

    This third week of September 2026 was filled with some extraordinary developments regarding Canada’s future — from the billions expected to land via the first-ever Canada Investment Summit to a ground-breaking relationship with the European Union. How all of this benefits the evolution of Canadian federalism and the economics of our communities is what’s top-of-mind for both CUI’s Mary…

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  • CityTalk Podcast

    On the Front Lines

    With the Canada-USA trade war escalating, there’s a particular group of Canadians bearing the brunt of its impact, and whose livelihoods are in peril. They’re the independent manufacturers, retailers and service outlets lining the main streets of communities across the country. In this episode, CUI CEO Mary Rowe chats with Dan Kelly, CEO of the Canadian Federation of Independent Business,…

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  • Unlocking Capital & Accelerating Housing: Hear from those leading the way

    Originally hosted as a CityTalk Live webinar, this episode has been converted to a podcast due to high demand.

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  • Rethinking Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside

    Vancouver’s Downtown East Side has long been associated with high levels of homelessness and substance abuse, issues which many cities across the country are now facing. Host Mary Rowe talks to two people who help deliver services and housing supports to people in the neighbourhood, with lessons that other communities can learn.

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  • Barrie’s Mayor: On Declaring an Emergency to Address Encampments

    Across the country, people are increasingly turning to encampments for shelter. These informal communities spotlight many complex challenges, from housing affordability to substance use and mental health issues. Encampments also present challenges to the social and economic functioning of neighbourhoods and downtown areas.

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  • Tackling Canada’s housing crisis: How the federal government can build at scale now

    Note to Readers: This discussion was created in partnership with CUI’s valued partner, Maytree. Cover photo by Scott Webb on Unsplash.

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  • Libraries: the last shared space?

    Many of our cities’ biggest challenges right now are playing out inside public libraries. Willingly or not, library staff come face-to-face daily with issues relating to homelessness, substance use, mental and physical health, and, of course, education. As they continue to adapt to society’s needs and provide more services, their funding isn’t growing.

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  • Accelerating Housing & Mobility Solutions: How Must Communities Change For Now and The Future

    Note to Readers: This discussion was created in partnership with CUI’s valued partner, the School of Cities at the University of Toronto. Cover photo by Matt Drenth on Unsplash.

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  • Lifehouse: how neighbourhoods can prepare for disaster

    Author Adam Greenfield believes that we need a new kind of institution at the heart of each neighbourhood to prepare us for climate disaster. He calls it a “lifehouse.” He argues that this community hub could provide everything from refuge during emergencies, to ongoing services like daycare and workshops.

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  • Katrina At 20: lessons from New Orleans

    This week marks the 20th anniversary of the floods that devastated New Orleans when Hurricane Katrina struck. In many ways, New Orleans gave us a preview of what other cities would come up against in the face of climate disaster.

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  • Rebuilding Jasper: One year after the fire

    Last summer, Beth Sanders was getting ready to lead a new planning department for Jasper, Alberta when the municipality was evacuated due to wildfires. The fires ended up destroying around a third of the town.

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