CivicLabTO Curriculum
This interactive and informative pillar of CivicLabTO is a student learning opportunity focused on municipal policy, service delivery and inspiring the next generation of municipal leaders, as a key element of the City's commitment to collaboration with the higher education institution partners within Toronto.
Undergraduate students from Centennial College, George Brown College, Humber College, OCAD University, Toronto Metropolitan University, Seneca Polytechnic, University of Toronto and York University are introduced to City staff and elected officials as part of their respective civics-focused curricula. Through a series of presentations, informal discussions and Q&A, City of Toronto representatives speak to the programs that they lead and the possibilities ahead.
Learning objectives include:
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Deepening the students’ awareness of the challenges and opportunities facing the City of Toronto, particularly in the areas of post-COVID resiliency and recovery, including mobility, vulnerable communities, planning and adapting public spaces, arts, culture, and climate change and a green recovery
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Raising awareness of how city hall functions and how City programs contribute to addressing challenges and opportunities.
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Fostering an understanding that city hall belongs to the residents of the city working democratically to pursue the common good.
For insights into City of Toronto priorities and programs, the CivicLabTO Curriculum sessions can be viewed below.
2023 Sessions Summary
Session 1. The City’s Strategic Priorities and the Role of Local Government
Highlighting City staff and Council responsibilities, the City's strategic priorities and providing context for the sessions to follow.
Speakers:
Joe Mihevc, Professor, York University
Paul Johnson, City Manager, City of Toronto
John Elvidge, City Clerk, City Clerk’s Office, City of Toronto
Kathleen Bartha, Deputy City Clerk Secretariat, City Clerk’s Office, City of Toronto
Session 2. A Well-Run City & Intergovernmental Affairs
Insights into the City’s financial planning, Council and election and its relationship with other orders of government.
Speakers:
Pamela Robinson, Professor, Toronto Metropolitan University
Stephen Conforti, Interim Chief Financial Officer, City of Toronto
Paul Parsons, Senior Corporate Management Policy Consultant, City Manager Services, City of Toronto
Aretha Phillip, Chief of Protocol, City Clerk’s Office, City of Toronto
Session 3. Building an Equitable City
Focused on the City’s equity, diversity & inclusion strategies, including the City’s relationship with Indigenous communities and advancing reconciliation.
Speakers:
Aditi Mehta, Professor, University of Toronto
Janice Alvares, Project Director, People & Equity, City of Toronto
Mohamed Shuriye, Director, Community Safety & Wellbeing, City of Toronto
Jennifer Lafontaine, Consultant, Indigenous Affairs Office , City of Toronto
Session 4. Community Resilience – People, Housing and Neighbourhoods
A discussion on shaping the city’s neighbourhoods including housing as a key element of the social determinants of health
Speakers:
Leslie Wee, Professor, George Brown College
Mercedeh Madani, Senior Strategic Policy Consultant, Housing Secretariat, City of Toronto
Corwin Cambray, Manager, Strategic Initiatives, City Planning, City Planning, City of Toronto
Sharon Campbell, Director, Shelter, Support and Housing Administration, City of Toronto
Jonathan John, Manager, Central Intake, Support and Housing Administration, City of Toronto
Session 5. Art, Culture and the Public Realm
Exploring the interdependencies between a vibrant arts and culture community, the creative industries and the future of the city.
Speakers:
Dr. Sara Diamond, Professor, OCAD University
Pat Tobin, General Manager, Economic Development & Culture, City of Toronto
Katriina Campitelli, Public Art Officer, Economic Development & Culture, City of Toronto
Marguerite Pigott, Film Commissioner and Director of Entertainment Industries, Economic Development & Culture, City of Toronto
Session 6. Climate Action, Resilience, & Mobility
A discussion of the key priorities within the City of Toronto’s TransformTO Net Zero Climate Action Strategy and the relationship with transportation planning.
Speakers:
Marcin Kędzior, Professor, Humber College
Ryan Cheung, Project Lead, Environment & Climate, City of Toronto
Stephanie Gower, Program Manager, Environment & Climate, City of Toronto
Matt Lee, Project Manager, Transportation Data and Analytics, Transportation Services, City of Toronto
2022 Sessions Summary
Session 1. The City’s Strategic Priorities and the Role of Local Government
Focused on municipal policy and services; highlighting the City's strategic priorities and its role as local government and providing context for the sessions to follow.
Speakers:
Joe Mihevc, Professor, York University
Tracey Cook, Interim City Manager, City of Toronto
John Elvidge, City Clerk, City of Toronto
Kelly McCarthy, Deputy City Clerk, Secretariat, City of Toronto
Session 2. A Well Run City & Intergovernmental Affairs
Providing insights into the City’s financial planning, its relationship with other orders of government and the transition to a new Council in an election year.
Speakers:
Leslie Wee, Professor, George Brown College
Stephen Conforti, Executive Director, Financial Planning, City of Toronto
Karen Jones, Director, Intergovernmental and Agency Relations, City of Toronto
Mike Pacholok, Deputy City Clerk, Member Services & Program Support, City of Toronto
Session 3. Building an Equitable City
This session is focused on the challenges inherent in building a more equitable city and how City of Toronto programs are addressing those opportunities.
Speakers:
Shane Walker, Professor, Centennial College
Denise Andrea Campbell, Executive Director, Social Development, Finance & Administration, City of Toronto
Yolande Davidson, Director, Equity and Human Rights, People and Equity, City of Toronto
Session 4. Community Resilience – People, Housing and Neighbourhoods
A discussion on shaping the city’s neighbourhoods including housing and transportation as social determinants of health.
Speakers:
Aditi Mehta, Professor, University of Toronto
Valesa Faria, Director, Housing Policy & Strategy, Housing Secretariat, City of Toronto
Kanchan Maharaj, Senior Engineer, Cycling & Pedestrian Projects, Transportation Services, City of Toronto
Sonya Bourgeois, Director, Toronto Drug Strategy (Acting), Toronto Public Health, City of Toronto
Session 5. Art, Culture and the Public Realm – City Building
Exploring the interdependencies between a vibrant arts and culture community and city building.
Speakers:
Dr. Sara Diamond, Professor, OCAD University
Pat Tobin, Director, Arts & Culture Services, Economic Development & Culture, City of Toronto
Ben Macintosh, Manager, Cultural Partnerships, Economic Development & Culture, City of Toronto
Gregg Lintern, Chief Planner & Executive Director, City Planning, City of Toronto
Session 6. Climate Action & Resilience
Highlighting the important work and key priorities within the City of Toronto’s TransformTO Net Zero Climate Action Strategy.
Speakers:
Dr. Sara Diamond, Professor, OCAD University
Megan MacLean, Project Lead, Environment & Climate, City of Toronto
Ariana Foyle, Project Lead, Environment & Climate, City of Toronto
Becky Katz, Manager, Transportation Services, City of Toronto
2021 Sessions Summary
Session 1. The City’s Strategic Priorities and the Role of Local Government
The first session in the Common Curriculum focused on municipal policy and services; highlighting the City's strategic priorities and its role as local government and providing context for the sessions to follow.
Speakers:
Deputy-Mayor Ana Bailao, City of Toronto
Chris Murray, City Manager, City of Toronto
John Elvidge, City Clerk, City of Toronto
Stephen Conforti, Executive Director, Financial Planning, City of Toronto
Manjit Jheeta, Director, Strategic Partnerships, City of Toronto
Joe Mihevc, Visiting Professor, York University
Session 2. Building an Equitable City
This session focused on the challenges inherent in building a more equitable city and how City of Toronto programs are addressing those opportunities.
Speakers:
Leslie Wee, Professor, George Brown College
Manjit Jheeta, Director, Strategic Partnerships, City of Toronto
Alika Curtis-Clarke, Consultant, Equity and Diversity, City of Toronto
Srijoni Rahman, Consultant, Equity and Diversity, City of Toronto
Jennifer Lafontaine, Consultant, Indigenous Affairs, City of Toronto
Yao Togobo, Community Development Officer, City of Toronto
Session 3. Community Resilience
Guest speakers discussed how the City of Toronto is building community resilience.
Speakers:
Shane Walker, Professor, Centennial College
Wayne Chu, Manager, Poverty Reduction Strategy, City of Toronto
John Smith, Community Development, City of Toronto
Mohamed Shuriye, Manager, Community Development, City of Toronto
Domenico Calla, Manager, Health Access & Equity, Toronto Public Health
Valesa Faria, Director, Housing Secretariat, City of Toronto
Manjit Jheeta, Director, Strategic Partnerships, City of Toronto
Session 4. Mobility and Public Transit
The City's role in mobility and public transit was highlighted, offering students the opportunity to engage with key leaders shaping transit policy and programs.
Speakers:
Cherise Burda, Executive Director, City Building, Toronto Metropolitan University
Pamela Robinson, Professor, Urban and Regional Planning, Toronto Metropolitan University
Mike Layton, City Councillor, City of Toronto
Michael Hain, Manager, Policy & Analysis - Transportation Planning, City Planning, City of Toronto
Shalin Yeboah, Director, Program Management & Planning, Transit Expansion Office, City of Toronto
Becky Katz, Manager, Cycling and Pedestrian Projects, Transportation Services, City of Toronto
Manjit Jheeta, Director, Strategic Partnerships, City of Toronto
Session 5. Cultural Resiliency
Explored the City's role in fostering vibrancy in the arts and culture communities.
Speakers:
David Roberts, Director, Urban Studies, University of Toronto
Sally Han, Manager, Cultural Partnerships, Economic Development and Culture, City of Toronto
Susan Wright, Deputy Director, Toronto Arts Council, Toronto Arts Foundation
Neil Brochu, Supervisor, Collections & Outreach, Museums & Heritage Services, Economic Development and Culture, City of Toronto
Magali Simard, Program Manager, Film Sector Development, Film & Entertainment Industries, City of Toronto
Session 6. Environment, Climate Change and Green Recovery
A discussion of climate change and the City's green recovery plans - how climate change is impacting Toronto and what is being delivered in that space at the program and service level.
Speakers:
Gus Lyn-Piluso, Professor, Seneca Polytechnic
Jennifer McKelvie, City Councillor, City of Toronto
Nancy Ruscica, Director, Environment & Climate, City of Toronto
Jane Welsh, Project Manager, Environmental Planning, City Planning, City of Toronto
Rob McMonagle, Senior Advisor, Green Sector, Economic Development & Culture Division,
Michael Skaljin, Manager, Policy and Planning, Solid Waste Management, City of Toronto
Manjit Jheeta, Director, Strategic Partnerships, City of Toronto
