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Municipalities of the Future Symposium

Municipalities are at the forefront of service delivery to meet the diverse and ever-changing community needs in the face of fast-paced economic and social changes, as well as technological and environmental disruptions. Our annual Municipalities of the Future Symposium was created to provide a forum for professionals in the sector to discuss these challenges and innovative solutions, and to build cross-sector partnerships. Non-profit, community, academic and private sector organizations have been active participants in this event, and our symposium serves as a model of stakeholder engagement for finding interdisciplinary solutions to complex policy and managerial problems, and for advancing diverse communities with equity.

Headshot of Maria Wallace

2024 | Technology and Talent: the underpinnings for the public service of the future

Our 7th annual Municipalities of the Future Symposium will take place in-person on Wednesday, March 27, 2024. This year’s keynote speaker is Dr. Marcia Wallace, Chief Administrative Officer at The Corporation of the County of Prince Edward. The agenda will be updated throughout January and February. A ‘save the date’ will be sent to all those who have attended previous Symposiums. Expressions of interest in attending will receive seat confirmation by March 5th. If you are not on our listserv, please contact the School Director, Professor Naomi Couto at naomi@yorku.ca and we will send you a ‘save the date’ email with the RSVP link.

Jason Thorne profile photo

2023 | City Building in Challenging Times: Looking Back, Thinking Forward

Our 6th annual Municipalities of the Future Symposium will take place in-person on Wednesday, March 22, 2023 and will feature keynote speaker Jason Thorne, General Manager of Planning and Economic Development for the City of Hamilton since 2014.

2022 | Municipalities, good governance and sustainability: Bringing progressive strategies to life

Our 5th annual Municipalities of the Future Symposium will take place on March 23, 2022 and will feature keynote speaker Vinay Sharda, Associate Deputy Minister, Policy, Planning & Agency Relations with the Ontario Ministry of Transportation.

2021 | Municipalities on the frontlines: New realities and mandates in a post-pandemic world

Our 4th annual Municipalities of the Future Symposium took place in virtual format on Wednesday, March 3, 2021 and Dino Basso, Commissioner of Corporate Services for the Regional Municipality of York served as keynote speaker.

2020 | Advancing Communities Through Better Business Solutions

The 2020 symposium focused on best practices for achieving community benefits for large public infrastructure projects, inclusive and diverse hiring, apprenticeship programs and procurement policies.

2019 | Partnerships in Turbulent Times

The 2019 symposium emphasized partnerships and turbulence. Turbulence – because of the variety of economic, technological, demographic and political disruptions challenging municipal governments. Partnerships – because of the growing recognition that many problems require interdisciplinary solutions, developed and implemented through stakeholder engagement and cross-sector partnerships.

speakers at ppa event

2018 | Transit, Technology and Other Transformations

The first symposium highlighted the important work done by municipalities and the emerging challenges confronting cities and rural municipalities.