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What happened to the new deal for cities? National forum highlights fallout
GATINEAU, Que. – On the eve of an election call, Infrastructure Minister John Godfrey headlines a symposium of parliamentarians, civic officials and activists meeting here to grapple with the disparity and resulting exclusion plaguing Canadian cities.
“The commitment to strengthen the physical and social infrastructures of urban communities is unfulfilled,” said Christa Freiler of Inclusive Cities Canada, the forum’s sponsor. “Instead governments pursued strategies that have led to growth without equity contributing to cities divided by income and ethno-racial discrimination.”
The symposium focuses on the federal government’s role in developing a Canadian urban strategy and how communities can foster environments that allow all their members to contribute and participate
Building a New Canada: Meeting the Civic Challenges of Social Inclusion opens Sunday, November 27 at 6:45 p.m. featuring a panel with civic officials from North Vancouver, Burlington, Toronto, Edmonton and Saint John and recommences Monday, November 28 at 8:45 a.m. with Infrastructure Minister John Godfrey. All sessions take place at the Holiday Inn Plaza la Chaudière, Salon des nations B and C; 2, rue Montcalm, Gatineau, Quebec.
The full program and related documents are available on line at www.inclusivecities.ca . For further information, contact: Christa Freiler, National Coordinator, Inclusive Cities Canada - 416 899 0699 or Kerry McCuaig 647 295 2808.