Highlights from the CityTalk Canada podcast include discussions on challenges faced by Canadian cities, systemic racism and municipal services, economic strategy and the role of the private sector, panelists' experiences and challenges in cities, the economic strategy of the United States and its impact on Canada, and redefining geography for industrial and energy transitions.
Belonging and community are essential in addressing societal challenges, and mayors play a crucial role in fostering this by bringing people together and valuing individual contributions.
Provinces and municipalities need to establish a more systematic and improved fiscal relationship that rewards economic growth, addresses government funding gaps, and provides financial support for cities.
Affordable housing is a significant issue that requires government intervention and increased investment, with potential partnerships between the private sector and non-profit organizations to address housing challenges and increase capacity.
Deep dives
Importance of belonging and community
The panel emphasizes the importance of belonging and community in addressing societal challenges. Mayors have a unique role and responsibility to bring people together and foster a sense of belonging within cities through face-to-face interactions and valuing every individual's contribution.
Improving the fiscal relationship between provinces and municipalities
The panel discusses the need for a more systematic and improved fiscal relationship between provinces and municipalities. They highlight the importance of finding a model that rewards economic growth and job creation while addressing issues of government funding and financial support for cities.
Affordable housing as a crisis and the role of government and partnerships
The panel identifies affordable housing as a significant issue that affects both the most vulnerable and the middle class. They emphasize the need for government intervention and increased investment in social housing. Additionally, they explore the potential for partnerships between the private sector and non-profit organizations to address affordable housing challenges and increase housing capacity.
The Importance of Collaboration in Building Strong Cities
The podcast episode emphasizes the significance of collaboration between municipal, provincial, and federal governments, as well as other sectors, in building strong and vibrant cities. The speaker highlights that cities are not just governed by the public sector alone, but also involve corporate players, financial institutions, universities, hospitals, and philanthropies. The episode discusses the success of community-based action plans, such as the one on mental health and addiction, which brought together multiple stakeholders, including corporate CEOs, to address pressing issues. The speaker emphasizes the need to recognize and leverage the diverse expertise and resources present in cities to drive innovation and tackle complex challenges.
Addressing Housing and Education Challenges for Future Prosperity
The podcast episode delves into the need for comprehensive strategies to address housing and education challenges in order to ensure future prosperity. The speaker acknowledges the private sector's crucial role in housing creation and calls for a more nuanced approach in addressing the housing crisis, focusing on identifying and addressing bad actors rather than demonizing financialization. The episode also highlights the underinvestment in education in Canada, emphasizing the importance of supporting teachers and providing adequate resources to build a skilled workforce. The speaker stresses the need to prioritize education as an essential pillar for success in the 21st century and calls for collaborative efforts between municipalities, provinces, and federal governments to prioritize these areas and invest in their future.
Sometimes great things happen when you bring the right people together to talk.
In this first of four CityTalk episodes recorded at CUI's State of Canada's Cities Summit in Ottawa on November 30th, host Mary Rowe presents highlights from morning panel conversations exploring both the global context for Canadian urban issues, and challenges shared with American cities.
See, hear and read more about Summit events and reports at canurb.org.
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