A space for collaboration

Communities with an energy plan have a vision and strategy for local economic development, improved environmental and public health, reduced GHG emissions, climate resilience and much more.

This workshop is open to Indigenous and northern communities, organizations and councils in Canada seeking to develop and implement Community Energy Plans. Communities in this region are increasingly recognized as leaders in the energy sector and community energy initiatives can create steps towards greater energy independence, local economic development, employment, reduction of greenhouse gas emissions and other community benefits. The workshop will discuss key barriers Indigenous and northern communities are facing, including community buy-in, developing partnerships and securing funding. The workshop will provide a space to explore solutions through peer-to-peer learning and discussion with Indigenous-based organizations, on key energy projects.

Mark your calendars.

Future Cities Canada Summit will return in a re-imagined format for 2021.

Starting in May, each month you will be invited to come together for one-day online events with city builders across Canada to tackle the pressing issues facing our cities. 

Our monthly event series will open up new conversations that pave the way towards our big finale: A week-long convening in October 13-17, 2021

If you aren't already subscribed to Future Cities Canada News, subscribe to our mailing list to be the first to know​ about this fantastic new series!

Register for free on Eventbrite.

The Community Solutions Network is a program of Future Cities Canada. Led by Evergreen, the Network is designed to help communities build service area capacity and improve the lives of residents using data and connected technology approaches. In partnership with QUEST Canada, the Network is delivering a series of innovation workshops on the relationship between data, technology and smart energy. The workshops will provide an opportunity for municipalities, Indigenous communities, municipal networks, academics, and subject-matter experts from across Atlantic region to connect, share, and ask questions around community energy planning best practices. Communities with an energy plan have a vision and strategy for local economic development, improved environmental and public health, reduced GHG emissions, climate resilience and much more!

In this event, we’ll dive deep into four highly-requested topics associated with community energy planning:

• Financials
• Governance and Staff Capacity
• Data Acquisition
• Stakeholder and Public Engagement

The workshop will include several interactive sessions to share ideas and personal experiences with community energy planning. The workshop will also feature special guest speaker and QUEST Senior Associate, Rob Kerr, President of Robert J. Kerr + Associates, to discuss the economic benefits of Community Energy Planning.

Register for free on Eventbrite. 

Register for free on Eventbrite.

An Ontario focused interactive presentation & panel discussion on how to use indicators to make progress on climate adaptation & resilience.

About this event

The Community Solutions Network is a program of Future Cities Canada. Led by Evergreen, the Network is designed to help communities build service area capacity and improve the lives of residents using data and connected technology approaches. In partnership with ICLEI Canada, the Network is delivering an Innovation Capacity exchange on the relationship between data, technology and climate adaptation.

This presentation and panel discussion at the event is an opportunity for municipalities, Indigenous communities, municipal networks, academics, and subject-matter experts from across Ontario to learn and explore how to use indicators to measure progress on climate adaptation and resilience. Although this is a virtual event, there will be various opportunities for attendees to engage, share, and ask questions related to the material presented and the discussion amongst the panel.

The event will open with a context-setting presentation that will explore questions such as:

• Why are indicators important and how do they help support adaptation?
• How might you select an appropriate indicator for your community?
• What are the types of indicators?
• What qualifies as a “good” indicator?
• What are the data requirements for indicators?
• How can you communicate this data and information to various audiences?

Following the presentation, there will be a moderated panel discussion between individuals representing Ontario municipalities, Indigenous communities and/or Indigenous organizations, and subject-matter experts on their experience with moving from action to implementation. Together we will explore case stories of their application of indicators, the opportunities or benefits of this work, any barriers or challenges they have experienced, and how they have or are working towards overcoming these challenges.

We are excited to announce some of our panelists for the event: 

• Karina Richters, City of Windsor
• Jacob Porter, City of Thunder Bay
• Jeffery Fletcher, ‎Town of The Blue Mountains
• ... and more to be announced soon! 

A more rigorous approach to evaluating progress on adaptation is needed so that practitioners can support informed decision-making, course correct for continuous improvement, and ultimately enhance our collective climate resilience. Be a part of the conversation on how to use indicators to continue making meaningful progress on climate adaptation and resilience. Register today!

Draft Agenda

10:00 – 10:15: Welcome and Introductions

10:15 – 10:55: Introducing Indicators: An Overview of Measuring Progress on Adaptation - Presentation and Q&A

10:55 – 11:50: Panel Discussion and Q&A

11:50 – 12:00: Reflections and Wrap-Up

Register for free on Eventbrite.

Join CMHC and Evergreen for "A World Café: Improving Pre-Development Processes”!

Please note: To preserve the quality of discussion, there are a limited number of seats available for this event. A waitlist will be generated once the maximum capacity has been reached.

As part of Round 2 of the Housing Supply Challenge, Evergreen is hosting a “World Café” for potential applicants and other interested individuals or organizations to share knowledge and explore the range of issues that can be addressed in “Getting Started: Pre-Development Processes.” We'll be bringing together a range of actors across the housing sector in Canada for a series of intimate “café table” discussions.

This event will be an intensive, 2-hour workshop focused on 3 questions:

1. What are some pre-development best practices to support the efficient, effective and timely development of housing?
2. How can pre-development partnerships between sectors be improved to drive better housing options and outcomes?
3. How can the needs of existing local communities be meaningfully integrated into pre-development processes?

Participants will be placed in groups to discuss all three questions throughout the workshop.

After the main program, the event will be followed by a virtual reception on the Wonder.me platform where participants will be welcomed to connect with each other further in a less structured setting.

This is an excellent opportunity to contribute to important discussions regarding pre-development processes, as well as learn from and connect with others in the sector! If you are a potential applicant to Round 2 of the Housing Supply Challenge, please note that participation in this event will not impact the evaluation of your submission.

Join us on Wednesday, June 23rd for either the French or English World Café Events!

For the French World Café from 10:00-12:00pm EST, you can register here.

For the English World Café from 1:00-3:00pm EST, you can register here.

Please register to either event by June 20, 2021 at 11:59 pm.

The Housing Supply Challenge creates opportunities for you and your community to propose solutions to the barriers to new housing supply. The challenge will distribute $300 million in funding over 5 years. To learn more about the Getting Started round, watch the Information Sessions in English and French.

Evergreen, a national charity that makes cities more livable, green and prosperous, leads the Housing Supply Challenge Support Program to support applicants as they prepare their submission. Please don’t hesitate to get in touch with us at HSC-DOLsupport2@evergreen.ca or (647) 670-2265.

If you have any questions about the World Café, please contact Lorina Hoxha at lhoxha@evergreen.ca.

We look forward to your participation.

Regards, ;

The Housing Supply Challenge Support Program Team at Evergreen

Evergreen is pleased to offer a Systems and Design Thinking workshop for potential applicants to Stage 1 of the Housing Supply Challenge Getting Started round. The live virtual skills-building workshop will introduce participants to design thinking concepts, tools, and resources. 

Register here. 

The Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) is hosting a Proposal Writing Session as part of the Housing Supply Challenge’s (HSC) Getting Started round. Join Evergreen staff as they demystify the proposal writing process. Learn about the common pitfalls to avoid, tips for writing top notch proposals, and most importantly, how to submit a strong proposal for the Getting Started Round. Short-listed applicants from the previous Housing Supply Challenge round will also share their experiences from the application process. This event is one of many activities offered through the Housing Supply Challenge Support Program led by Evergreen. Register as part of Future Cities Canada: The Summit.