Canada's Placemaking Community

Resilient Communities Fund Application Period
2023-01-04 08:00 - 2023-02-01 17:00 (America/Toronto) | Virtual
The Resilient Communities Fund supports community-based organizations that deliver programs and services in Ontario and need funding to recover and build capacity, resilience and sustainability.
Eligible applicants can apply for a grant to develop and implement medium to long-term plans that address current organizational challenges they are facing to recover and build resilience.
Grants support organizations as they:

develop new approaches to generate revenue
start new activities to meet community need
adjust strategies and plans
plan for future challenges

The grant application will be available as of January 4, 2023 through OTF’s granting portal. Deadline to apply for a grant is February 1, 2023.
Click here to learn more an apply!

CityTalk - How Are Ukrainian Cities and Municipalities Planning Their Recovery?
2022-12-15 12:00 - 13:00 UTC | Zoom (Registration Required)
The question of how Ukrainians will rebuild their territories after the war looms large. What needs to be preserved, what needs to be restored, and what needs to be invented from scratch?
ReStart Ukraine is seeking to address these complex questions through a human-centred design approach. This multidisciplinary, open-source collective of researchers and practitioners are convening stakeholders across Ukraine, and around the world, to develop strategies to restore afflicted urban and rural areas after destruction of such scale.
Join representatives from ReStart Ukraine as they share insights from their ongoing work to lay a strong foundation for a sound and sustainable recovery.
Featuring:
Daria Borovyk — Аrchitect and Urban Planner, ReStart Ukraine
Oleksandr Shevchenko — Founder and Urban Projects Leader, ReStart Ukraine
Bohdan Onyschuk — Former Chair, Canadian Urban Institute and Immediate Past Chair, Canada-Ukraine Foundation
Register for the session here!

COVID 1000 and Beyond: Building Better Cities for a Robust Recovery
2022-12-07 11:00 - 15:00 UTC | Virtual – Register for Links
We are nearing 1000 days since the World Health Organization declared COVID a global pandemic.
As we emerge from the most severe impacts of both the virus and the efforts to contain it, Canada’s cities are facing significantly more complex challenges than before.
On December 7, join participants from across the country to explore:

The LAST 1000 days: What are the most important lessons we’ve learned about infrastructure changes, policy redirections, and behavioural shifts? Which of the ad hoc city-building measures from the pandemic will be the ones to ‘stick’?
The NEXT 1000 days: What are the key priorities in 2023-24 for cities and city builders? What are the best strategies to help our urban spaces and environments recover from COVID and respond to the myriad of urgent challenges?

Mark your calendars for Wednesday, December 7 — and stay tuned for more information about this special online convening!
Click here to register!

Winter Whereabouts
2022-12-04 13:00 - 16:00 UTC | Centre for Social Innovation, 192 Spadina Ave, Toronto, Ontario, M5T 2C2, Canada
❄️ LIVE MUSIC X FREE FOOD X FREE BEVERAGES X ATTENDANCE PRIZES ✨
This year, it seems that winter struck overnight, and here we are in late November, bracing ourselves for another cold and dark season. However, there are still ways to enjoy the snowy season – RISE C10 invites you to Winter Whereabouts, a community event for young adults to learn how to make the most of winter in an affordable and accessible way. Join a fireside conversation facilitated by community leaders on what spaces are available for free during the winter, and how to motivate you to go outside even on the coldest of days.
Register now to partake in an afternoon of meaningful connection, food for thought and the soul, hot beverages, and exciting raffle prizes. The event will take place on Sunday Dec 4, from 1-4PM at CSI Spadina, 192 Spadina ave. (Spadina/Sullivan).
Reserve your spot now by clicking here! Share it with your friends, family, and network! We are so excited to see you there ☺️

CityTalk - How Can Cities Respond to Climate Change?
2022-12-01 12:00 - 13:00 UTC | Zoom (Registration Required)
Cities contribute about 70 percent of global greenhouse gas emissions, and therefore must play a major role in addressing climate change. From sustainable transportation to the circular economy, cities across Canada and around the world are exploring new strategies to create thriving, resilient, and carbon-neutral communities.
On the heels of COP27, join urban leaders and experts as we examine urgent opportunities for cities to adapt and respond to climate change.
Click here to register!

MaRS Climate Impact 2022
2022-11-30 08:30 - 2022-12-01 16:30 UTC | MaRS Centre, 101 College Street, Toronto, Ontario, M5G 1L7, Canada
MaRS Climate Impact is a new innovation conference that brings together the global cleantech ecosystem — in person and online
The transition to net-zero requires a massive and interconnected global effort to deploy new technologies that can create a more sustainable future.
MaRS Climate Impact delves into the most promising ideas and innovations that could help prevent the most disastrous consequences of climate change and build a cleaner economy.
Join us at the MaRS Centre in downtown Toronto or online from November 30 to December 1, 2022 for two days of interactive panel discussions, thought-provoking debates, company demos and more.
Connect with innovators and global cleantech leaders working on the platforms, partnerships and strategies needed to scale the most impactful solutions.
Click here to register!

Better Work, Together: Exploring Collaboration Approaches
2022-11-29 13:00 - 14:00 UTC | Zoom (Registration Required)
This month’s Mobilizer session, Better Work, Together: Exploring Collaboration Approaches, will be an opportunity to revisit your collaboration approaches and identify ways for moving toward a deeper level of collaboration through specific experiences and case-studies.
Join in on November 29th, 2022 at 1:00pm ET/10:00am PT for an opportunity to reflect on the importance of collaboration in creating a sense of abundance and to enable new opportunities. This will be a chance for your organization to question established patterns, reflect on current practices, and envision new possible connections. This session is free and open to all.
This session will be hosted by Jerry Koh, expert in building coalitions for change and mentor of the Healthy Communities Initiative. Jerry will be joined by a small group of HCI-funded projects who will share their own experiences.
Register here!
The session will take place in English with simultaneous interpretation in French.

Beyond High School: A workshop for students and families
2022-11-16 18:30 - 20:00 UTC | Churchill Meadows Community Centre and Mattamy Sports Park, 5320 Ninth Line, Mississauga, ON, L5M 0R5, Canada
Join us for an introduction of a new resource, Beyond High School: A guide to discovering your pathway to success. Workshop presenters are writers of Beyond High School, including:

Robert Martellacci, CEO of MindShare Learning and MindShare Workspace,
Mary Nanavati, a recognized educator, certified professional coach and co-founder of FlourishCo, and

Namita Parmar, a local secondary school guidance teacher.

One free manual per family. Space is limited.
Each participating family will receive a free copy of Beyond High School.

Launch Webinar: Ontario School Streets Pilot Summary Report
2022-11-16 13:00 - 14:00 UTC | Zoom (Registration Required)
8 80 Cities, along with Green Communities Canada, is pleased to invite you to a webinar to discuss our Ontario School Streets Pilot Summary Report on November 16, 2022, from 1:00 – 2:00 PM EST. The report will be published on our School Streets webpage next week. You can check it out here: https://bit.ly/3Fkbny1

Join us at the free webinar as we celebrate the year-long initiative to pilot School Streets in Hamilton, Markham, Mississauga, and Kingston and share our learnings from the pilots. The webinar will also include a panel discussion with the team leads from the four communities.

Register here: https://bit.ly/3zeIdN5

Communities Taking Climate Action - Putting Equity at the Centre
2022-11-15 11:00 - 2022-11-16 17:30 UTC | Virtual – Register for Links
Join us for this first edition of Communities Taking Climate Action!

With a growing community of over 1,500 changemakers and climate champions from across Canada, we are celebrating the first year and a half of Community Climate Transitions, including the 10-month learning journey that 19 trailblazing communities embarked on.
You’ll have a chance to hear from inspirational speakers and connect with peers around the themes of advancing a local climate transition through a whole-community approach that makes space for everyone, centering equity and justice in climate work, and leading with hope and care.
Over the two days you will have an opportunity to take part in over 5 hours of specially curated workshops and masterclasses, meet other community climate movers and shakers, experience coaching opportunities, access learning resources and much more!
You can register here!
This event will take place in English, with French simultaneous translation available for plenary activities.

WLCA Anzac Annual Rural Trade Show
2022-11-12 10:00 - 16:00 (America/Edmonton) | Anzac Recreation Centre, 237 Stony Mountain Road, Anzac, Alberta, T0P 1J0, Canada
NOVEMBER 12/2022
10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
ANZAC RECREATION CENTRE
EVERYONE WELCOME!!
DOOR PRIZES ALL AGES!!
IN PARTNERSHIP WITH WILLOW LAKE METIS NATION CAREER FAIR

TO BOOK A TABLE CONTACT:
WILLOWLAKE1@OUTLOOK.COM
780-334-2679

Centering Inclusion in Trust-Based Philanthropy
2022-11-09 13:00 - 14:20 UTC | Zoom (Registration Required)
Trust-based philanthropy creates a space to explicitly address the inherent power imbalances between foundations and nonprofits. As community foundations continue to shift power at the local level, trust-based philanthropy has a role to play in adapting our practices and policies.
Join this session with expert Ruth Mojeed from The Inclusion Project to learn how a trust-based can have an impact, the steps your community foundation can take and become equipped with the tools to have sometimes challenging conversations.

What you will learn:

Learn the importance of centering inclusion in philanthropy through a trust-based approach
Evaluate the changes needed to implement in order to establish a more inclusive, accountable and transparent organization
Discuss how community foundations can navigate challenging conversations around inclusion and diversity in the workplace

Who is this for?
This event is part of the broader curriculum for Communities for Gender Equality Cohort but is open to all community foundations. It would be relevant for community foundations of all sizes and would be particularly applicable for senior leaders, grant making/program staff and committee members.
Click here to register!

Small Group Discussion: Learning and Evaluation
2022-11-03 13:00 - 14:30 (America/Toronto) | Zoom (Registration Required)
On the 3rd of November 2022, HCI is hosting a peer-learning session to collectively reflect on the role of evaluation and how evaluation can be connected to the organization needs and the work that is happening on the ground. This participatory space will be hosted by Yonatan Ghebray from NABC.
The gathering builds on to the Mobilizer Session ‘Bringing evaluation back to the core’, and will provide an opportunity to continue exploring with a reduced group of peers some of the key ideas, processes and concepts shared on the webinar. It will be an opportunity for projects to build on each others’ experiences and to offer mutual support. Furthermore, the group of peers will meet again after a couple of weeks with the purpose of continuing to build the relationship with the group. The specific topics of discussion will be defined based on the specific needs of the group of participants involved, some of the potential topics to reflect on are:

Evaluation design
Design of data collection tools and processes
Collecting and analyzing data
Presenting findings
Tactics to engage stakeholders
Using evaluation to explore other sustainability models for the initiative

There are only 8 spots available, so we encourage you to register as soon as possible for the session.
Click here to register for this peer learning session– Filling the registration form will take 5-7 minutes
We are excited to share this collective learning opportunity with all of you. If you have any questions, send us an email at healthycommunities@canurb.org!

CityTalk: How Do We Bring More Diversity to Housing Policy?
2022-10-27 13:00 - 14:00 UTC | Zoom (Registration Required)
In metropolitan regions across Canada, efforts are underway expand opportunities to allow more housing diversity and meet the needs of their growing populations.
However, creating an equitable housing landscape also requires collaboration from the diverse residents and communities that make up the fabric of the city—including those whose needs and experiences may not be captured or understood in traditional community consultations.
Drawing from the City of Toronto’s Expanding Housing Options in Neighbourhoods initiative, whose engagement process was supported by the Canadian Urban Institute, this candid discussion will explore the importance of housing diversity for growing metro regions, the barriers to policy modernization, and how new engagement models can bring more voices to planning consultations.
Click here to register!

The Gathering: Cultivating Joy
2022-10-21 08:30 - 16:30 (America/Winnipeg) | St. John’s High School, 401 Church Avenue, Winnipeg, Manitoba, R2W 1C4, Canada
Gathering 2022 is nurturing and strengthening our movements through celebration.
Throughout the last two years, community building efforts have been challenged, pushed to extremes, and change has been happening at a rapid rate. For people working to improve our communities and tackle complex problems, our shared purpose and vision is a source of hope. There is joy in connection, in participating in movements, in mutual care, and in seeing transformation.
Gathering 2022 – Cultivating Joy – is an incredible opportunity to collaborate with community builders to connect, learn, and take action. Happening in-person, on October 21st, 2022, the Gathering 2022 will be a fun and engaging day that will focus on the power of joy – how we use it to connect to each other and strengthen our organizations and movements.
For the 20th year of the Gathering, we invite you to celebrate this event milestone and your collective accomplishments building inclusive, sustainable, and equitable economies and communities. We invite participants to examine how we care for ourselves, each other, the environment, and consider how we can elicit joy to strengthen our communities and our movements.
Click here to read more and register!

National Trust Conference 2022 - The Heritage Reset: Making Critical Choices
2022-10-20 15:00 - 2022-10-22 22:00 UTC | The Chelsea Hotel and Conference Centre, 33 Gerrard Street West, Toronto, Ontario, M5G 1Z4, Canada
The annual National Trust Conference is Canada’s largest heritage learning and networking event. Held every year since 1974, the National Trust Conference brings together a wide-range of people working to keep Canada’s heritage alive: from grassroots activists and elected officials, to professionals, planners, policy makers, and property owners. Conference themes have tackled pressing issues for Canada’s heritage movement, including community revitalization, heritage tourism, sustainable development, and climate change.
Toronto, Ontario: October 20 – 22, 2022
Seismic societal shifts exacerbated by a global pandemic have drawn into question many values, structures, and public policies in Canada, including those guiding heritage conservation. As the urgency increases to advance decolonization and anti-racism, take bold climate action, and redress economic and social inequity, are heritage principles and heritage places in step, or stuck in the past? Now is the time for realignment and concerted action. How can we accelerate the heritage movement’s impact as a positive, essential, progressive force addressing pressing issues like climate change, racism, reconciliation, affordable housing, social justice, accessibility, economic resiliency, and more?
The National Trust in association with the Canadian Association of Heritage Professionals invites your essential participation in the transformation of the heritage sector – currently underway with the pan-Canadian Heritage Reset initiative and culminating at this conference in Fall 2022.
Register here!

Peer-to-Peer Learning - Digital Tools to Improve Internal Processes: Internal Communications and Task Management
2022-10-19 13:00 - 14:30 UTC | Zoom (Registration Required)
On the 19th of October at 1:00 PM ET/ 10:00 AM PT, HCI will be hosting a small group workshop continuing with the theme of Digital Tools for Improving Internal Processes. This session specifically looks at Internal Communications and Task Management.
The session will be led by Alejandro Mayoral from the Indigenous Friends Association. Their project, Digital Determination: COVID19 Indigenous Mental Health Project, is aimed at increasing the capacity of the Indigenous Friends app to support the mental health of Indigenous youth and communities needing additional care as a result of COVID-19.
The purpose of this session is to build upon your hands-on experience using digital tools with the goal of discovering different and innovative ways in which they can be used to support internal processes. Alejandro will facilitate an exchange of ideas between participants, all of whom are also Healthy Community Initiative projects.
This session won’t be theoretical (there are too many excellent tutorials out there already!) but rather, a space to exchange questions and experiences. As such, this session is a good fit for those who are already actively working/experimenting with tech in their organisation.
If you are interested in being a part of this Digital Tools Small-Group Discussion on Wednesday, October 19 @ 1:00 PM ET/ 10:00 AM PT, please register here:
Click here to register for the small group discussion
*Note that attendance will be limited to the first eight projects to register to ensure plenty of time for all in this 90-minute session.*

This session is being offered in English. If you are interested in participating in a French version of this session, send us an email to healthycommunities@canurb.org.

Why Create a Land Acknowledgement?
2022-10-19 13:00 - 14:20 UTC | Zoom (Registration Required)
As community foundations work towards reconciliation, land acknowledgements are one step in deepening our understanding the history on the lands where we live, work and play. As we work to adopt practices of land acknowledgement how do we do so in a way that is meaningful and has the potential to create change?
In this session, led by Future Ancestors, you will have the opportunity to dive into local Indigenous histories, learn about land acknowledgements, and how to situate your personal responsibility as someone who lives on Indigenous land. This session will walk you through the concepts of recognition, action, and practical steps on how to write and give an acknowledgement, plus you will leave with a guide to support you and your foundation write an authentic Land Acknowledgement.

What you will learn:

The elements of a land acknowledgement
How to write a land acknowledgement with authenticity and personal commitment

Who is this for?
This session is for all members of the community foundations network and is open to the broader public.
Click here to register!

2030 in Focus: Getting the Next Decade Right on Net-Zero
2022-10-18 08:30 - 18:00 UTC | Ottawa’s National Arts Centre, 1 Elgin Street, Ottawa, Ontario, K1P 5W1, Canada
The Net-Zero Advisory Body and the Canadian Climate Institute will host “2030 in Focus: Getting the Next Decade Right on Net-Zero” on October 18, 2022. Discussions will focus on the progress toward net zero, from a national and an international perspective.
The conference will occur, in person, at Ottawa’s National Arts Centre and will also be broadcast live. It will feature keynote speakers, moderated panels, and fireside conversations with national and international climate change policy experts, as well as political, business, and Indigenous leaders. A networking reception will follow for those who want to connect with their climate policy colleagues.

Register Here for Virtual Option

Please note: In-person tickets are wait-list only. Please contact Dean Evangeliou at devangeliou@climateinstitute.ca from more information.

Kitchener's Downtown Pop-Up Park!
2022-10-14 09:00 - 2022-10-16 20:00 UTC | Carl Zehr Square, 200 King Street West, Kitchener, Ontario, N2G 4G7, Canada
Join us on King Street right outside Kitchener City Hall from October 14-16!
We have heard what you want from parks spaces in the City of Kitchener and are testing those ideas out in front of Carl Zehr Square. During the pop-up, we will also collect stories about what parks mean to you. This will inform the Places and Spaces strategy that guides future activities, advocacy, planning, and investment in Kitchener parks.

CityTalk: Why Would Anyone Run for Municipal Office?
2022-10-13 12:00 - 13:00 UTC | Zoom (Registration Required)
This fall, almost 60% of Canadian voters, spanning four provinces and one territory, will head to the polls for municipal elections.
Although municipalities bear responsibility for services that directly impact residents — like water systems, libraries, parks, roadways, and policing — municipal elections attract far less public interest than federal and provincial ones.
Further, the job of municipal representatives is becoming more complex, due to the strains of increasing workloads, challenges of delivering urgent services with limited resources, and concerns about rising harassment, especially for women and members of equity-deserving groups.
Join a panel of departing municipal leaders and political experts for a candid conversation about the importance of local government and ideas for boosting civic engagement.
This week’s CityTalk features the following panellists:

Tenille Bonoguore — City Councillor, Waterloo
Druh Farrell — Former City Councillor, Calgary
Kate Graham — Professor, Huron University College & Senior Advisor, Colliers Project Leaders, London
Naheed Nenshi — Former Mayor, Calgary

Click here to register!

Livable Cities Forum
2022-10-03 07:30 - 2022-10-05 12:00 UTC | Victoria Conference Centre, 720 Douglas Street, Victoria, British Columbia, V8W 3M7, Canada
Join us for the 10th Livable Cities Forum. This year’s event, hosted by the City of Victoria in partnership with ICLEI Canada and the Canadian Urban Institute, will focus on equity and climate action. You won’t want to miss this boutique national event widely known for its high-caliber practical sessions and diverse speakers on climate change action in Canada.
What lessons can we learn from two simultaneous and complex issues, the COVID-19 pandemic and climate change, that are affecting our well-being and shaping a new reality for cities and towns? This forum will look at important synergies between efforts to address social vulnerabilities exposed through the COVID-19 pandemic, and efforts to increase climate resilience and achieve net-zero in communities across Canada through an equity lens.
Register for the Livable Cities Forum here!

CityTalk: Working for Housing Access - Indigenous Solutions and Leadership
2022-09-28 15:00 - 16:00 UTC | Virtual – Register for Links
Indigenous Peoples in Canada are facing a disproportionate shortage of safe, adequate, and affordable housing compared to non-Indigenous people. In addition to systemic issues — including colonial, racist, and discriminatory policies — the COVID pandemic exacerbated housing concerns, especially for people experiencing core housing need and homelessness.
We invite you to join this discussion about the critical issues for Indigenous Peoples, urgent interventions for immediate action, and long-term proposals for housing equity, affordability, and accessibility.
Click here to register!

The 2022 Park People Conference
2022-09-21 09:00 - 2022-09-23 17:00 UTC | Virtual – Register for Links
Build an abundant future for city parks!
September 21-23, 2022, The Park People Conference will bring together park professionals, community park group leaders, non-profit organizations, municipal staff and urban enthusiasts to create an abundant future for city parks.
Register Here!

HCI Mobilizer Session: Bringing Evaluation Back to the Core of your Work
2022-09-20 13:00 - 14:00 (America/Toronto) | Virtual – Register for Links
This session asks: What does evaluation mean to your work? When framed narrowly, questions around impact, accountability, measurement and evidence can feel abstract and disconnected to the actual work that we do, and what is needed on the ground. How can evaluation provide an opportunity for organizations and communities to learn and advance in their mission? What types of knowledge and data can help us change our relationship with our funders?
Join in on Sept 20th, 2022 at 1:00pm ET/10:00am PT as we take this opportunity to reflect on how evaluation can help advance the work of organizations and communities while contributing to changing power dynamics. This will be an opportunity for your organization to question established patterns and processes, see work in a new light, take credit for accomplishments, and ask brave questions.
This session will be hosted by Yonatan Ghebray, Senior Director of Evaluation, Learning, and Quality Improvement at the Network for the Advancement of Black Communities (NABC) and mentor of the Healthy Communities Initiative. Yonatan will be joined by a small group of HCI-funded projects who will share their own experiences.
Register here: https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_Th_aWp2_SoSSsYzkn7FFQw

Workman Arts: Farmers Market
2022-09-04 11:00 - 16:00 UTC | TD Commons Park, 1001 Queen Street West & Workman Way, Toronto, Ontario, M6J 1H1, Canada
Workman Arts is thrilled to introduce the WA Farmers Market this summer!
#FoodForAGoodMood
The Workman Arts Farmers Markets will feature a feast of flavours and colours from organic farmers, local artisanal food vendors, as well as a picnic area, fun and family friendly activities for the little ones, and handmade pieces created by Workman Arts member artists.
Location:
TD Commons Park, 1001 Queen St West & Workman Way. This park is a vibrant space in the heart of downtown Toronto. Parking is available!
So come and support Workman Arts members which include our 2SLGBTQIA+, BIPOC, MAD and Disabled artists, in addition to local food communities!
Schedule and list of vendors for each market will be updated shortly.
Stay connected and follow us on Instagram @workmanarts_farmersmarket
#workmanartsfarmersmarket #foodforagoodmood

South Osborne Farmers' Market
2022-08-31 16:00 - 20:00, 2022-08-24 16:00 - 20:00 (America/Winnipeg) | Lord Roberts Community Centre, 725 Kylemore Ave, Winnipeg, Manitoba, R3L 1B8, Canada
Fireweed Food Co-op operates the South Osborne Farmers’ Market (est. 2016) which runs every Wednesday at 4-8 pm from mid-June to late September. All our vendors are local and sell only Manitoba-grown, spray-free food products, and try to reduce packaging waste as much as possible. Our market is also more than a place of commerce — it is a thriving community space featuring local beer and cider, live music, a kids craft tent, and throughout the season playing host to various grassroots organizing initiatives and events related to local food and food issues.

Workman Arts Farmers Market
2022-08-28 11:00 - 16:00 UTC | TD Commons Park, 1001 Queen Street West & Workman Way, Toronto, Ontario, M6J 1H1, Canada

Thorncliffe Park Women's Committee Park Bazaar
2022-08-26 15:00 - 21:00 UTC | R. V. Burgess Park, 46 Thorncliffe Park Drive, Toronto, Ontario, M4H 1K2, Canada
Every Friday from 3:00pm to 9:00pm.
And while you’re there, grab some ice cream from the Park Café!
