The information on the website was created for the 2021 Massey Cities Summit, a global conference on the constitutional status of cities. While the information is not current and will not be updated, we wanted you to have access to the archive of blog posts, podcasts, articles, videos, and other information.
Making the case for constitutional power for Canadian cities
When we think of Canadian cities, we might picture the places where we live, work, and gather—a straightforward concept at first glance. But from a constitutional standpoint, cities in Canada occupy a challenging position, often compared to the “middle child” in the family.
Constitutional Space for Cities
How to get cities out of their constitutional straitjacket
Constitutional change could be done province-by-province, but even short of that, there are tools to keep provinces from overpowering municipalities. Nathalie Des Rosiers, Alexandra Flynn and Richard Albert share their viewpoints.
From the Black Death to the Depression to COVID-19: Using Debt to Overcome the Municipal Fiscal Squeeze
Despite the drumbeat of warnings of an imminent crisis in municipal fiscal ability to cope with the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, the silence from the provinces has been deafening.
Alexandra Flynn and Margot Young: Provinces are partners, not parents, to their cities
Some large cities are bigger than provinces, grappling with urgent matters like infrastructure and housing, and are the first and most intimate level of democratic participation. Alexandra Flynn and Margot Young co-author this op-ed.
The City in Sight Podcast Episode 4: Finances, Charters, and Constitutional Change
Governments love innovation. Though new ideas are great for cities, governments don’t think about the maintenance and upkeep costs these innovations require. So while city mayors sit at the kids table hoping the federal government will recognize their municipalities needs, they have to also be the grownups so these innovations become an enhancement rather than a burden to the bottom line.
Thank you to all attendees, panellists, and moderators for helping to make this conference a success.
City in Sight Podcast Series: Episode 3
Indigenous Cities
The Indigenous population in urban areas is growing fast. What are cities doing to provide for these populations, to build cities that reflect these communities, and to address the calls to action of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission? Would greater autonomy for cities help achieve these goals? To find out, we speak to three Canadian mayors.
Mayor Rebecca Alty, Yellowknife
Mayor Brian Bowman, Winnipeg
Mayor Charlie Clarke, Saskatoon