{"id":173595,"date":"2020-11-16T14:48:43","date_gmt":"2020-11-16T19:48:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.yorku.ca\/laps-sppa\/?page_id=173595"},"modified":"2026-02-03T09:16:12","modified_gmt":"2026-02-03T14:16:12","slug":"municipalities-of-the-future-symposium","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.yorku.ca\/laps\/sppa\/experience\/events\/municipalities-of-the-future-symposium\/","title":{"rendered":"Municipalities of the Future Symposium"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-1 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:66.66%\">\n<p>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.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:33.33%\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading text-uppercase h5\">Quick Links<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list list-unstyled\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.yorku.ca\/laps\/sppa\/experience\/events\/celebrating-public-service\/\">Celebrating Public Service<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.yorku.ca\/laps\/sppa\/experience\/events\/ontario-public-service-breakfast\/\">Ontario Public Service Breakfast<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.yorku.ca\/laps\/sppa\/experience\/events\/professional-development-workshops\/\">Professional Development Workshops<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.yorku.ca\/laps\/sppa\/experience\/events\/professional-networking-events\/\">Professional Networking Events<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.yorku.ca\/laps\/sppa\/experience\/events\/recognition-awards-dinner\/\">Recognition Awards Dinner<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns card-deck aspect-ratio is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-2 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column card rounded-0 bg-white is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"538\" height=\"303\" src=\"https:\/\/www.yorku.ca\/laps\/sppa\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/215\/2026\/02\/Joyce-Drohan-Cover.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-366828\" style=\"width:290px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.yorku.ca\/laps\/sppa\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/215\/2026\/02\/Joyce-Drohan-Cover.jpg 538w, https:\/\/www.yorku.ca\/laps\/sppa\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/215\/2026\/02\/Joyce-Drohan-Cover-300x169.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 538px) 100vw, 538px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group card-body\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading h5\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.yorku.ca\/laps\/sppa\/experience\/events\/municipalities-of-the-future-symposium\/after-stability\/\">2026 | After Stability: Municipal Government in an Age of Disruption<\/a><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Our\u00a08th annual Municipalities of the Future Symposium will take place\u00a0on\u202f <strong>Wednesday, March 25, 2026<\/strong>. This year\u2019s keynote speaker\u00a0is Joyce Drohan, AI and Technology strategist on \u201cScaling AI: Balancing Ambition with Reality.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Thank you to&nbsp;our host, the Town of Caledon.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column card rounded-0 bg-white is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full is-resized\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.yorku.ca\/laps\/sppa\/experience\/events\/municipalities-of-the-future-symposium\/technology-and-talent\/\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"538\" height=\"303\" src=\"https:\/\/www.yorku.ca\/laps\/sppa\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/215\/2024\/05\/Maria-Wallace-538x303-1.png\" alt=\"Maria Wallace profile photo\" class=\"wp-image-365374\" style=\"width:290px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.yorku.ca\/laps\/sppa\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/215\/2024\/05\/Maria-Wallace-538x303-1.png 538w, https:\/\/www.yorku.ca\/laps\/sppa\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/215\/2024\/05\/Maria-Wallace-538x303-1-300x169.png 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 538px) 100vw, 538px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group card-body\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading h5\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.yorku.ca\/laps\/sppa\/experience\/events\/municipalities-of-the-future-symposium\/technology-and-talent\/\">2025 | Technology and Talent: the underpinnings for the public service of the future<\/a><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Our 7th annual Municipalities of the Future Symposium took place in-person on&nbsp;Wednesday, March 26, 2025 and featured keynote speaker is&nbsp;Dr. Marcia Wallace, Chief Administrative Officer at The Corporation of the County of Prince Edward.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column card rounded-0 bg-white is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full is-resized\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.yorku.ca\/laps\/sppa\/experience\/events\/municipalities-of-the-future-symposium\/city-building-in-challenging-times\/\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"538\" height=\"303\" src=\"https:\/\/www.yorku.ca\/laps\/sppa\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/215\/2022\/12\/Jason-Thorne-events-page.png\" alt=\"Jason Thorne profile photo\" class=\"wp-image-363946\" style=\"width:290px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.yorku.ca\/laps\/sppa\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/215\/2022\/12\/Jason-Thorne-events-page.png 538w, https:\/\/www.yorku.ca\/laps\/sppa\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/215\/2022\/12\/Jason-Thorne-events-page-300x169.png 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 538px) 100vw, 538px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group card-body\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading h5\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.yorku.ca\/laps\/sppa\/experience\/events\/municipalities-of-the-future-symposium\/city-building-in-challenging-times\/\">2023 | City Building in Challenging Times: Looking Back, Thinking Forward<\/a><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Our 6th annual Municipalities of the Future Symposium took place in-person on Wednesday, March 22, 2023 and featured keynote speaker Jason Thorne, General Manager of Planning and Economic Development for the City of Hamilton since 2014.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns card-deck aspect-ratio is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-3 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column card rounded-0 bg-white is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.yorku.ca\/laps\/sppa\/experience\/events\/municipalities-of-the-future-symposium\/municipalities-good-governance-sustainability\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"538\" height=\"303\" src=\"https:\/\/www.yorku.ca\/laps\/sppa\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/215\/2022\/01\/VinaySharda538x303.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-176423\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.yorku.ca\/laps\/sppa\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/215\/2022\/01\/VinaySharda538x303.jpg 538w, https:\/\/www.yorku.ca\/laps\/sppa\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/215\/2022\/01\/VinaySharda538x303-300x169.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 538px) 100vw, 538px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group card-body\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading h5\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.yorku.ca\/laps\/sppa\/experience\/events\/municipalities-of-the-future-symposium\/municipalities-good-governance-sustainability\/\">2022 | Municipalities, good governance and sustainability: Bringing progressive strategies to life<\/a><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Our 5th annual Municipalities of the Future Symposium took place on March 23, 2022 and featured keynote speaker Vinay Sharda, Associate Deputy Minister, Policy, Planning &amp; Agency Relations with the Ontario Ministry of Transportation.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column card rounded-0 bg-white is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.yorku.ca\/laps\/sppa\/experience\/events\/municipalities-of-the-future-symposium\/new-realities-and-mandates-in-a-post-pandemic-world\/\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"538\" height=\"303\" src=\"https:\/\/www.yorku.ca\/laps\/sppa\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/215\/2021\/02\/Dino-Basso-538-x-303.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-175463\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.yorku.ca\/laps\/sppa\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/215\/2021\/02\/Dino-Basso-538-x-303.jpg 538w, https:\/\/www.yorku.ca\/laps\/sppa\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/215\/2021\/02\/Dino-Basso-538-x-303-300x169.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 538px) 100vw, 538px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group card-body\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading h5\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.yorku.ca\/laps\/sppa\/experience\/events\/municipalities-of-the-future-symposium\/new-realities-and-mandates-in-a-post-pandemic-world\/\">2021 | Municipalities on the frontlines: New realities and mandates in a post-pandemic world<\/a><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>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.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column card rounded-0 bg-white is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/yfile.news.yorku.ca\/2020\/06\/24\/sppa-municipal-symposium-highlights-practices-for-achieving-community-benefits\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"538\" height=\"303\" src=\"https:\/\/www.yorku.ca\/laps\/sppa\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/215\/2020\/11\/2020538x303.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-174219\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.yorku.ca\/laps\/sppa\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/215\/2020\/11\/2020538x303.jpg 538w, https:\/\/www.yorku.ca\/laps\/sppa\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/215\/2020\/11\/2020538x303-300x169.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 538px) 100vw, 538px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group card-body\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading h5\"><a href=\"https:\/\/yfile.news.yorku.ca\/2020\/06\/24\/sppa-municipal-symposium-highlights-practices-for-achieving-community-benefits\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">2020 | Advancing Communities Through Better Business Solutions<\/a><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>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.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns card-deck aspect-ratio fade-bottom is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-4 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column card rounded-0 bg-white is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/yfile.news.yorku.ca\/2019\/04\/07\/municipal-symposium-hosted-by-the-school-of-public-policy-and-administration-spotlights-the-importance-of-partnerships-in-times-of-turbulence\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"538\" height=\"303\" src=\"https:\/\/www.yorku.ca\/laps\/sppa\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/215\/2020\/11\/2019538x3030.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-174218\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.yorku.ca\/laps\/sppa\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/215\/2020\/11\/2019538x3030.jpg 538w, https:\/\/www.yorku.ca\/laps\/sppa\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/215\/2020\/11\/2019538x3030-300x169.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 538px) 100vw, 538px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group card-body\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading h5\"><a href=\"https:\/\/yfile.news.yorku.ca\/2019\/04\/07\/municipal-symposium-hosted-by-the-school-of-public-policy-and-administration-spotlights-the-importance-of-partnerships-in-times-of-turbulence\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">2019 | Partnerships in Turbulent Times<\/a><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The 2019 symposium emphasized partnerships and turbulence. Turbulence \u2013 because of the variety of economic, technological, demographic and political disruptions challenging municipal governments. Partnerships \u2013 because of the growing recognition that many problems require interdisciplinary solutions, developed and implemented through stakeholder engagement and cross-sector partnerships.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column card rounded-0 bg-white is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/yfile.news.yorku.ca\/2020\/06\/24\/sppa-municipal-symposium-highlights-practices-for-achieving-community-benefits\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"538\" height=\"303\" src=\"https:\/\/www.yorku.ca\/laps\/sppa\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/215\/2020\/11\/2018538x303.jpg\" alt=\"speakers at ppa event\" class=\"wp-image-174217\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.yorku.ca\/laps\/sppa\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/215\/2020\/11\/2018538x303.jpg 538w, https:\/\/www.yorku.ca\/laps\/sppa\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/215\/2020\/11\/2018538x303-300x169.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 538px) 100vw, 538px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group card-body\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading h5\"><a href=\"https:\/\/yfile.news.yorku.ca\/2018\/04\/18\/school-of-public-policy-administration-hosts-municipalities-of-the-future-symposium\/\">2018 | Transit, Technology and Other Transformations<\/a><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The first symposium highlighted the important work done by municipalities and the emerging challenges confronting cities and rural municipalities.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns social-bar-block is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-5 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<h2 class=\"h6 text-white text-center wp-block-heading\">Connect with the School of Public Policy &amp; Administration<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<ul class=\"wp-block-social-links aligncenter my-2 is-style-default is-layout-flex wp-block-social-links-is-layout-flex\"><li class=\"wp-social-link wp-social-link-facebook  wp-block-social-link\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/yorkusppa\/\" class=\"wp-block-social-link-anchor\"><svg width=\"24\" height=\"24\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.1\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" aria-hidden=\"true\" focusable=\"false\"><path d=\"M12 2C6.5 2 2 6.5 2 12c0 5 3.7 9.1 8.4 9.9v-7H7.9V12h2.5V9.8c0-2.5 1.5-3.9 3.8-3.9 1.1 0 2.2.2 2.2.2v2.5h-1.3c-1.2 0-1.6.8-1.6 1.6V12h2.8l-.4 2.9h-2.3v7C18.3 21.1 22 17 22 12c0-5.5-4.5-10-10-10z\"><\/path><\/svg><span class=\"wp-block-social-link-label screen-reader-text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n\n<li class=\"wp-social-link wp-social-link-twitter  wp-block-social-link\"><a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/YorkUSPPA\" class=\"wp-block-social-link-anchor\"><svg width=\"24\" height=\"24\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.1\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" aria-hidden=\"true\" focusable=\"false\"><path d=\"M22.23,5.924c-0.736,0.326-1.527,0.547-2.357,0.646c0.847-0.508,1.498-1.312,1.804-2.27 c-0.793,0.47-1.671,0.812-2.606,0.996C18.324,4.498,17.257,4,16.077,4c-2.266,0-4.103,1.837-4.103,4.103 c0,0.322,0.036,0.635,0.106,0.935C8.67,8.867,5.647,7.234,3.623,4.751C3.27,5.357,3.067,6.062,3.067,6.814 c0,1.424,0.724,2.679,1.825,3.415c-0.673-0.021-1.305-0.206-1.859-0.513c0,0.017,0,0.034,0,0.052c0,1.988,1.414,3.647,3.292,4.023 c-0.344,0.094-0.707,0.144-1.081,0.144c-0.264,0-0.521-0.026-0.772-0.074c0.522,1.63,2.038,2.816,3.833,2.85 c-1.404,1.1-3.174,1.756-5.096,1.756c-0.331,0-0.658-0.019-0.979-0.057c1.816,1.164,3.973,1.843,6.29,1.843 c7.547,0,11.675-6.252,11.675-11.675c0-0.178-0.004-0.355-0.012-0.531C20.985,7.47,21.68,6.747,22.23,5.924z\"><\/path><\/svg><span class=\"wp-block-social-link-label screen-reader-text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n\n<li class=\"wp-social-link wp-social-link-instagram  wp-block-social-link\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/yorkulaps\/\" class=\"wp-block-social-link-anchor\"><svg width=\"24\" height=\"24\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.1\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" aria-hidden=\"true\" focusable=\"false\"><path d=\"M12,4.622c2.403,0,2.688,0.009,3.637,0.052c0.877,0.04,1.354,0.187,1.671,0.31c0.42,0.163,0.72,0.358,1.035,0.673 c0.315,0.315,0.51,0.615,0.673,1.035c0.123,0.317,0.27,0.794,0.31,1.671c0.043,0.949,0.052,1.234,0.052,3.637 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