This event will take place in French and English with ASL and LSQ interpretation. A recording of the event will also be made available if you are unable to attend live. 

Public spaces are the glue in our communities, enabling a feeling of belonging and making them places in which we want to live, work and play. They are a big part of what makes communities safe, vibrant and connected. In the last ten months however, COVID-19 has seriously impacted our access and use of public spaces. This is especially true in communities that are already experiencing vulnerability as a result of systemic inequalities.

In the face of the pandemic, individuals, organizations and local governments across Canada have demonstrated enormous ingenuity and creativity in improvising temporary and longer-lasting solutions that enable people to connect and access public spaces safely while still respecting new public health measures, including social distancing and mask-wearing. 

Join us, and a set of fantastic panelists including Parliamentary Secretary Andy Fillmore for a candid conversation on public spaces and COVID-19. From equity-based placemaking and public safety to community development and resilience, you’ll hear from leading placemakers, activists and thinkers who will explore what’s working, what’s not, and what’s next for community-led solutions across Canada. It will also be an opportunity to learn more about the forthcoming

Canada Healthy Communities Initiative, a new $31 million investment from the Government of Canada to support communities as they adapt public spaces for the new realities of the pandemic.