Federation of Canadian Municipalities Conference – A time to share and learn
Last weekend I attended the Federation of Canadian Municipalities conference held in Toronto. It was a great opportunity to speak with other councillors and subject experts on issues that the City of Ottawa has in common with them. I engaged in a couple of study tours, one on cycle infrastructure and another on mid-size development on main streets. I had the opportunity to see an extensive cycle network that was installed in recent years and is serving a growing population of cyclists.
Toronto has had an updated Official Plan in place for years that has contributed to innovative solutions to new housing including modular unit construction housing for the homeless. They also have much infill and midsize intensification on major routes such as Queen Street West.
During the conference I listened to a presentation on Toronto’s new Community Crisis Service that responds to persons in crisis without police intervention. This is a pilot project that is doing well and reducing calls for police while helping those in a mental health crisis. It was paid for from the city budget.
Ottawa is a very fortunate City, but we can still learn and improve from best practices elsewhere just as other Cities can learn from us.