High Ground 2022
The 2022 civic governance forum was held virtually from Thursday, March 24 to Saturday, March 26, 2022.
This year’s theme was Seeking Higher Ground: Leading Through Instability. We wanted to explore this theme as we are in a period of governing, at all levels, within ongoing, long-term, urgent and emergency conditions on many fronts. At Hight Ground 2022, we explored how local electeds can do their work in both proactive and responsive ways that advance progressive visions and action in their communities.
When:
Thursday, March 24, 8:30AM – 12:45PM
Friday, March 25, 1:00PM – 6:00PM
Saturday, March 26, 8:00AM – 1:15PM
Who:
Mayors, Councillors, Regional Directors, and School Board Trustees.
Where:
Via Whova
Schedule
Thursday, March 24
8:30am–8:45am
Acknowledgment, Welcome and Opening Remarks
8:45am–9:45am
Opening Plenary - Land Back, What You Need to Know
In this opening plenary, we’ll come together to learn about Land Back, and what equitable access to territories and resources looks like, particularly when it comes to territory, natural resources, wildlife, climate, and ecosystems. We’ll hear from different First Nations communities in British Columbia about how we got here, where we’re at, and where we’re headed and what progressive local leaders can do to make meaningful connections.
9:50am–10:25am
Plenary - Emerging Solutions - Spotlight One
Two fast paced ten-minute spotlights on the latest trends and issues in our communities and the inspirational steps being taken to find do-able solutions.
Spotlights:
- Addressing stigma and increasing safety through collaborative community development: the Living in Community model (Halena Seiferling)
- Suburban Solutions: Suburbs are high cost and high carbon. They are also home to the biggest untapped solutions to affordability and climate action. (Alex Boston)
10:25am–10:45am
Health and Wellness Break
10:45am–11:20am
Plenary - Emerging Solutions - Spotlight Two
Two fast paced ten-minute spotlights on the latest trends and issues in our communities and the inspirational steps being taken to find do-able solutions.
Spotlights:
- Living Wage: A solution for workers and employers during these unstable times (Anastasia French)
- The Case for Mass Timber Construction (Gaetan Royer)
11:30am–12:30pm
Session - We've had the Glasgow Climate Talks, Now What?
Temitope Onifade was in Glasgow, Scotland in 2021 at the UN Climate Change Conference (COP26) and will update us on what we need to know to transition to a low carbon economy globally. We’ll then hear from Liz McDowell who will let us know about what’s going on across the Province of British Columbia and then from Anjali Appadurai, who will provide insights on how local communities can support provincial, federal, and global efforts and initiatives.
Session - Our Hopes and Dreams for Public Education (75 mins)
In partnership with the Institute for Public Education BC
All of us come to Public Education with idealism – with values and principles we want to implement so that every child can be as successful as possible in reaching their potential. But often we get caught up in day-to-day bureaucracy and short-term tasks. Our hopes and dreams get forgotten or obscured or take second place. Additionally, the context in which we do our work is changing all of the time – the unmarked graves of Indigenous children are found in their hundreds, the pandemic creates dramatic new needs, racism and inequality become more prevalent. This workshop aims to explore and clarify our common values – our hopes and dreams for public education – and to find ways to make them real in challenging times.
Friday, March 25
1:10pm–2:10pm
Plenary - Alternative Responses to Community Safety
This plenary brings together a range of voices to share perspectives on how we can keep our communities safe, including equity in policing, shifting some responsibilities away from police — namely sexual assault reporting and responses to mental health crises, and the intersection with housing, mental health, participatory budgeting, and policy It also includes an introduction to some of the work and pilot projects going on and plans in the pipeline.
2:15pm–3:15pm
Session - How to Protect Older Residents in their Communities
Extreme weather, like heat waves and floods, and COVID-19 have had direct and devastating impact on older residents in our communities, especially last summer when the volume of sudden deaths came in such a short period of time. What can local governments do to prevent these crises and to respond to them with frontline resources and in a timely way?
3:15pm–3:30pm
Health and Wellness Break
3:30pm–4:05pm
Plenary - Emerging Solutions - Spotlight Three
Two fast paced ten-minute spotlights on the latest trends and issues in our communities and the inspirational steps being taken to find do-able solutions.
Spotlights:
- Most Livable City? Wide Gaps in Life Expectancy and Multiple Causes of Mortality across Neighbourhoods in Metro Vancouver (Jessica Yu and Michael Brauer)
- 3D Printed Houses (Andrew Nielsen)
Moderated by: Gaetan Royer
4:10pm–5:10pm
Plenary - B.C.'s Toxic Drug Crisis: How Can Local Leaders Lead
Despite the declaration of a public health emergency in 2016, the death toll from poisoned drugs has reached new heights. In fact, nearly 9,000 people have died of toxic drugs since, with more than 2,000 in 2021 alone. This significant rise is primarily attributed to the increasing contamination and potency of the criminalized supply, driven by prohibition and exacerbated by COVID-19 pandemic measures that isolated substance users and saw many more using alone. How can local governments show leadership in their communities around the toxic drug crisis?
5:20pm–6:00pm
Plenary - In Conversation with... former Mayor of Calgary, Naheed Nenshi
We’ve asked Naheed Nenshi, the former Mayor Calgary, to reflect on this year’s theme: “Seeking Higher Ground: Leading Through Instability” and to consider what progressive governance looks like with ongoing, long-term, and urgent emergency conditions on many fronts. How can local electeds do this work in proactive and responsive ways that advance progressive visions and action in their communities?
Saturday, March 26
8:10am–9:10am
Plenary - Dangerously Divided Times
With multiple emergencies on our doorstep – the Emergency Measures Act, toxic drugs, COVID 19, and climate — we are bearing witness to growing and deepening polarization and radicalization across Canada and in our local communities. This plenary explores how we got here, what this tell us about the moment we’re now in, and what are different types of engagement and preventive strategies that local governments can use to navigate difficult conversations across the political spectrum.
9:15am–10:00am
Plenary - In Conversation with... Minister of Municipal Affairs, Nathan Cullen
10:00am–10:15am
Health and Wellness Break
10:15am–11:15am
Session - Co-ops for Sustainability
This workshop explores the impact of cooperative enterprises in addressing the linked challenges of economic inclusion and a transition to a greener economy. By aggregating the capacities of communities, co-ops address local needs, keep capital local, and reduce the barriers to access for needed goods and services. The model is also being applied in the generation of renewable energy and is creating employment opportunities in green industries. While democratic ownership and governance brings is own challenges, co-ops are resilient enterprises capable of evolving to meet the changing needs of their member owners.
Session - Reclaiming Education
Four First Nations communities (Cowichan Tribes, Lil’wat Nation, the ʔaq̓am of the Ktunaxa, and the Seabird Island Band) have all ratified education agreements with the federal government. This means the First Nations communities will take control of their childrens’ education on their lands and develop school courses, set graduation requirements and certify teachers. An estimated dozen other BC First Nations are currently in discussions for their own agreements and arrangements and many more are expected to follow. This breakout workshop sets out to bring together a range of voices to share different perspectives on how we got to where we’re at, why the moment is now, and what tomorrow holds for First Nation communities and municipalities and school boards across the Province of British Columbia
11:15am–11:30am
Health and Wellness Break
11:30am–12:15pm
Plenary - In Conversation with... Minister of State for Infrastructure, Bowinn Ma
12:20pm–12:55pm
Plenary - Emerging Solutions - Spotlight Four
Two fast paced ten-minute spotlights on the latest trends and issues in our communities and the inspirational steps being taken to find do-able solutions.
Spotlights:
- Circular Economy – What is it? Why does it matter? and how it can help us (Charley Beresford)
- How to Build an Anti-Racist Education System (Markiel Simpson)
Moderated by: Gaetan Royer
12:55pm–1:15pm
Plenary - In Conversation with... Minister of Jobs, Economic Recovery, and Innovation, Ravi Kahlon
In this conversation, Minister of Jobs, Economic Recovery and Innovation Ravi Kahlon will share highlights of the government’s economic plan and how it intersects with local government across the Province.
Testimonials from High Ground 2022
- “Thank you for all your hard work. This is the best conference I attend each year. The learning experience is beyond compare.”
- “Even though it was virtual, it still was very engaging.”
- “Thank you kindly for High Ground 2022. It is always inspiring and thoughtful.”
- Thank you for the engaging, impactful 3-day forum… So grateful to learn more in depth on emerging and urgent conditions on many fronts.”
- “I think the Columbia Institute did a very good job of covering topics that are very relevant and important for the time we are living in.”
Alex Boston
Executive Director, Renewable Cities
Alex has two decades of policy and planning experience focused on community climate action with unique expertise in land use and multi-criteria analysis, engagement and knowledge mobilization. He has led multiple award-winning community energy plans recognized for innovative carbon modeling and mapping, implementation readiness and powerful triple bottom line analysis. His work on local, provincial and national scale projects includes: supporting the BC Ministry of Environment to generate community energy and emission inventories for all BC municipalities; developing Federation of Canadian Municipalities’ best practice guide for GHG target setting, serving as principal advisor on Climate Protection Program Renewal; advising Prime Minister Martin’s Task Force on Cities on the federal role in urban climate action; and designing community energy planning tools for Natural Resources Canada and the BC Ministry of Municipal Affairs.
Alison Gu (Moderator)
Councillor, City of Burnaby
Alison is a 2nd generation Chinese settler living on the unceded and unsurrendered lands of the hən̓qəmin̓əm̓ and Sḵwx̱wú7mesh speaking peoples. Alison is the youngest ever Burnaby City Councillor, and was elected on the mandate of climate, housing, and racial justice. Before being elected as a councillor, she has for an MLA, 2 MPs, and for her student union. In 2017, she cycled from Ottawa to Burnaby against the Trans Mountain Expansion pipeline while fundraising for the legal fees of the First Nations fighting the project in court.
Amber George
Indigenous Rights Advocate
Amber George is an mixed race Indigenous woman from the Wet’suwet’en Nation. She is also of Mohawk and European Settler lineage. She is Killer whale/Grouse from the Likstamisyu House. Amber comes from a prestigious and long lineage of hereditary Chiefs and historical figures of the Gitxsan and Wet’suwet’en Nations. Her family is prominent in the advocacy of Indigenous rights in Canada, having fought since first contact for generations, in the attempt for equal rights for non-status and status Indigenous, as well as off reserve members.
Amy Lubik (Moderator)
Councillor, City of Port Moody
Amy is a first-term City Councillor in Port Moody and is passionate about social and environmental justice. She chairs the Port Moody Environmental Protection Committee, is vice-Chair of the Climate Action Committee and the Seniors’ Focus Committee, and is a member of the Affordable Housing Task Force and Tri-Cities Food Security Working Group. As a climate activist, she volunteers as a member of the Climate Caucus. She is also a member of the Canadian Association of Physicians for the Environment, and the Public Health Association of BC. In her day job, Amy is a health equity policy analyst for a local health authority. Amy received her Ph.D. in Prostate Cancer Research from Queensland University of Technology.
Anastasia French
Campaigns and Operations Organiser, Living Wage For Families
Anastasia is a passionate campaigner with over 10 years experience campaigning on social justice issues in Canada and the UK. She previously worked for The Children’s Society, one of Britain’s leading children’s charities. At The Children’s Society, she ran several successful campaigns on issues around debt, child poverty and support for refugee and migrant children. Her role is split between the Living Wage for Families campaign and supporting First Call BC Child and Youth Advocacy Coalition.
Andrew Nielsen
Housing Manager, City of Merritt
Andrew is the Housing Manager at the City of Merritt and a Regulatory and Environmental Consultant at Diamond River Consulting. He holds a Bachelors Degree in Environmental Sciences from the University of Calgary, and a degree in Chemical Engineering Technology from the Southern Alberta Institute of Technology.
Anjali Appadurai
Climate Justice Campaigner, Sierra Club BC
Anjali is a climate justice advocate, communicator and consultant. She works to strengthen climate change messaging and discourse in Canada by centring the stories of those on the frontlines of the climate crisis. She brings a strong justice lens to climate change messaging and connects climate issues to socioeconomic and political realities. Anjali works with the Sierra Club BC team to support our role as a strong contributor to the Canadian and global climate justice movement.
Arshia Uppal
Founder, Climate Recentered
“Arshia Uppal is a second generation settler in her second year of post-secondary hoping to major in environmental studies with a concentration in ecology. She entered the climate organizing space three years ago starting off with youth-led groups such as Sustainabiliteens. Arshia currently organizes with Climate Justice UBC and is also working towards pushing for harm reduction initiatives on campus with the UBC Social Justice Centre. Arshia has recently helped create a youth-led BIPOC cohort at Solid State Industries called Climate Recentered which focuses on reshaping the white narrative of climate organizing by bringing marginalized and racialized populations to the forefront of climate discussions. Her work revolves around the idea of incorporating intersectionality and equity into community organizing.”
Barbara McMillan
Provincial Community Engagement Coordinator, United Way
Barbara McMillan is the Provincial Community Engagement Coordinator with United Way British Columbia’s Population Health Team. She holds a BA in Communications from Simon Fraser University and a Master of Management Degree (National Voluntary Sector Leaders) from McGill University, and has worked and volunteered with a wide range of community and civil sector organizations locally and globally, including Vancouver Foundation, Community Foundations of Canada, and Health Canada’s Health Promotion Directorate.
Bowinn Ma
Minister of State for Infrastructure
Bowinn has served as MLA for North Vancouver-Lonsdale since May 2017 and was appointed Minister of State for Infrastructure in 2020. She is a licensed Professional Engineer (P.Eng.) with a degree in civil engineering (BASc), a masters from the UBC Sauder School of Business (MM), and a certified Project Management Professional (PMP). Bowinn has championed investments for the North Shore in housing, child care, and education. She is an ardent believer in the climate emergency and has also made headlines for speaking publicly about difficult topics like racism, sexism, and eating disorders.
Carleen Thomas
Special Projects Manager, Treaty, Lands and Resources, Tsleil-Waututh Nation
Carleen Thomas is the Special Projects Manager for the Treaty Lands & Resources Department, of the Tsleil-Waututh Nation. Ms. Thomas works on building relationships with communities, and various government entities encompassed within the homelands & waters of the Tsleil-Waututh Nation (TWN). She was recently appointed the Chancellor of Emily Carr University of Art + Design (ECU).
Charley Beresford
Public Policy Innovator
Charley is a leader in public interest governance and policy solutions. Charley lead the Columbia Institute for 13 years, establishing the Institute’s Centre for Civic Governance and directing research on public policy issues ranging from K-12 Funding, Understanding Public Private Partnerships, Climate Action, Green Economy and Governance. Most recently, Charley served as Senior Executive Lead at the Province of BC’s Crown Agencies and Board Resourcing Office which provides governance support for Provincial public sector organizations. Charley led the development of the Province’s Governing in the Public Interest Certificate program and brought a strong diversity focus to CABRO’s work. Charley holds a Certificate in Circular Economy from Cambridge Judge School of Business.
Cheeying Ho (Moderator)
Executive Director, Whistler Centre for Sustainability
Cheeying is the Executive Director of the Whistler Centre for Sustainability, and has over 20 years of experience in community planning, engagement, and sustainability. She provides strategy, creative process design, facilitation, and engagement for local and band governments, and non-profit organizations. She created and launched the Social Venture Challenge program, and the Indigenous Tourism Startup Program, designed to inspire and support entrepreneurs with the development of new social enterprises. Prior to her role at the Centre, Cheeying was the Executive Director of Smart Growth BC.
Chinu Das
Councillor, City of New Westminster
Chinu Das is a City Councillor in New Westminster. As a long time champion of diversity and social inclusion of marginalized and vulnerable people in the city, she has chaired New Westminster’s Seniors Advisory Committee and Multicultural Advisory Committee amongst several others. She brings the lens of a first generation immigrant woman of colour to Council work. Currently, she chairs the city’s newly introduced Social Inclusion, Engagement and Reconciliation Advisory Committee. She is a member of UWLM’s Community Based Seniors Sector Municipal Caucus. She has a Ph.D in Community and Regional Planning from UBC.
Christine Ho Younghusband
Assistant Professor, School of Education, University of Northern British Columbia
Dr. Christine Ho Younghusband is an Assistant Professor at the University of Northern British Columbia in the School of Education. Christine is a former secondary mathematics teacher in BC public schools and school trustee. She has worked with the Ministry of Education and First Nations Education Steering Committee developing the Math K-9 Curriculum, revising the FNESC/FNSA Math Resource Guide, and writing learning activities for Open Schools BC. Christine is Vice-Chair of the Board of the Institute for Public Education.
Dan Laitsch
Associate Professor, Simon Fraser University
Dan Laitsch is an associate professor with the Faculty of Education at Simon Fraser University and a researcher with the SFU Centre for the Study of Educational Leadership and Policy. He co-edits the open access journal, International Journal of Education Policy and Leadership. Dr. Laitsch’s research examines the use and misuse of research in teaching, policymaking, and issue advocacy, and the impact of neoliberal policies on educational systems. He is on the board of the Institute for Public Education BC, and current President of the Confederation of University Faculty Associations, BC.
David Chudnovsky
Board Member, Institute for Public Education BC
David Chudnovsky worked in nursery, elementary and secondary schools and at the university level in England, Ontario and BC during his 35-year teaching career. He is a past-president of the British Columbia Teachers’ Federation and was an elected Member of the Legislative Assembly in British Columbia Legislature from 2005-2009. David is co-author of the Charter for Public Education. David is a member of the Board of IPE.
El Jones
Community Activist, Journalist, and Poet
El Jones is a spoken word poet, an educator, journalist, and a community activist living in African Nova Scotia. She was the fifth Poet Laureate of Halifax. In 2016, El was a recipient of the Burnley “Rocky” Jones human rights award for her community work and work in prison justice. She is a co-founder of the Black Power Hour, a live radio show with incarcerated people on CKDU that creates space for people inside to share their creative work and discuss contemporary social and political issues, and along with this work, she supports women in Nova Institution in writing and sharing their voices. She is also the chair of the 15-person sub-committee in Halifax responsible for drawing up the report: Defunding the Police: Defining the Way Forward for HRM (Halifax Regional Municipality). The 218-page report features 36 recommendations to reallocate resources away from the police to more appropriate service providers.
Gaetan Royer
CEO, CityState Consulting
Gaetan is the CEO of CityState Consulting. His love of everything urban has brought him to hundreds of cities in 30 countries. An urban planner originally from Québec City, he received a Governor General’s Medal for his humanitarian work in Sarajevo. During his time as City Manager in Port Moody, the city received numerous awards including the International Livable Communities Award. The author of Time for Cities, a book about getting a better deal for cities, he is also a Research Associate with the Columbia Institute, most recently on bringing services back in-house to municipalities.
Grace Park
Program Medical Director, Home Health, Fraser Health Authority
Dr. Grace Park is the program medical director for Home Health and a practicing family physician. She provides care and supports clients to live independently at home for as long as possible. She is actively involved with the Divisions of Family Practice in the work with the Integrated Health Network (IHN) and along with the IHN team making significant progress in Home Health integration with community family physicians. She is also a clinical assistant professor with the Department of Family Practice at University of British Columbia.
Guy Felicella
Harm Reduction Advocate
Guy Felicella faced trauma and an undiagnosed learning disability at a young age. He developed anxiety and depression and didn’t have the proper support to navigate these challenges alone. He started coping with his emotional pain with drugs and alcohol at only 12 years old which escalated into a substance use disorder that left him residing in the Downtown Eastside for 20 years. Guy faced additional trauma through a life of homelessness, institutions, gangs, severe health conditions that nearly took his leg and multiple overdoses. Today Guy has 9 years of recovery and uses his career and platform to advocate for trauma therapy, harm reduction, quicker access to treatment and changed drug policy. Guy is an inspiration to many and a fierce advocate for those needing a voice.
Halena Seiferling
Executive Director, Living in Community
Halena Seiferling is the Executive Director of Living in Community, a BC-based non-profit that brings together diverse stakeholders to collaboratively advocate for sex workers’ rights, health, and safety. Halena is passionate about genuine, community-based relationship-building in addressing complex issues. Halena has also worked in projects advocating for living wages, electoral reform, municipal political engagement, and climate justice. She has a Masters in Public Policy from SFU.
Jennifer Reddy (Moderator)
Trustee, Board of Education, School District 39 (Vancouver)
Jennifer is working towards an inclusive community where people are engaged as valuable and deserving individuals, who can use their agency to lead the changes they wish to see. Jennifer holds a Masters in Social Policy and Development, a Bachelors in Development Studies, and a Certificate in Curriculum Development and Instructional Design. From SFU, EdMeCo, and the VSB to Kuru Kuru Training Centre in Guyana, Jennifer has been inspired by global leadership in education and social change.
Jennifer Wolowic
Strengthening Canadian Democracy Manager, Simon Fraser University
Jennifer is the project manager for the Strengthening Canadian Democracy Initiative at Simon Fraser University. She brings 15 years of experience engaging marginalized communities including African American, First Nations, and LGBTQ communities to the initiative. A diverse range of experiences in research, film production, and event organizing compliments her social science background. Her Interdisciplinary PhD in Anthropology and Media means she tends to see the world though the practices, beliefs, knowledge, and technology humans use to connect. Jennifer is an avid storyteller who advocates for optimism in every democratic conversation and action.
Jessica Yu
Public Health Researcher, University of British Columbia
Jessica completed her PhD at the School of Population and Public Health at the University of British Columbia. Her interests in global and environmental health stem from her experiences abroad, when she worked and collaborated with international and local non-profit organisations in Thailand, India, and South Africa. Her doctoral work analysed the built environmental determinants of healthy and resilient cities with the focus on equity and sustainability. Her hope is to continue to contribute to guidelines and tools to help build more equitable and climate-resilient urban health systems in Canada and beyond.
Jonathan Morris
CEO, Canadian Mental Health Association (BC Division)
Jonathan is the CEO of the Canadian Mental Health Association, BC Division. He spent two years in the public service working for the Ministry of Mental Health and Addictions, where he played a key role in helping build this new Ministry from the ground up, eventually leading the Policy and Legislation Branch as Senior Director. Jonathan has a long research and practice history in suicide prevention, has trained as a counsellor, and has held sessional teaching appointments at the University of Victoria and Douglas College in Child and Youth Care.
Joshua Seymour
Councillor, Lheidli T’enneh Nation
Joshua Seymour was born and raised in Lheidli t’enneh. As the father of a son, Joshua wants to leave a legacy of understanding Lheidli t’enneh’s history, as well remove many of the barriers he has faced learning of his people for future generations. Joshua’s goal in life is to ensure lheidli has her rightful spot in history. Joshua goal is to make Lheidli t’enneh’s culture is accessible and understood by all who reside within the Lheidli t’enneh territory.
Kai Nagata
Communications Director, Dogwood
Kai is the communications director at Dogwood, a B.C. group focused on climate justice, Indigenous rights and grassroots democracy. He lives on Gitxsan territory near the Village of Hazelton. Trained in journalism, Kai held positions at CBC, CTV and The Tyee. He now volunteers on the board of the Harbinger Media Network.
Karen Ranalletta (Moderator)
President, CUPE BC
Karen is the President of CUPE BC and an officer of the BC Federation of Labour. Karen is President of CUPE 2950 (representing 1500+ clerical and library workers at the University of British Columbia) and the chair of the local’s Education Committee. She is also a member of the Contract Committee, a health and safety steward and delegate to the CUPE Metro and District Council. In 2010 she became a member facilitator and at the 2011 CLC Convention she discovered a passion for pensions and was appointed to the CUPE BC Pension Committee later that year. Karen has also chaired the Library and Technology and Communications Committees of CUPE BC.
Ken Melamed (Moderator)
Advisor, Columbia Institute
Ken Melamed is a former mayor of Whistler in BC. He is a businessman, conservationist and former Green Party of Canada candidate in West Vancouver-Sunshine Coast-Sea to Sky Country. Ken Melamed was first elected to the Whistler council in 1996, serving as a councillor until 2005. He was elected as mayor in 2005 and served in that position until 2011.
Kevin Kapenda
Co-Director & Co-Developer, Solid State Community Industries
Kevin Kapenda is an urbanist from Surrey, BC who is passionate about building more equitable cities and local economies. Presently, he works for Solid State Community Industries as a co-director and its co-op developer. As Solid State’s larger mission is to cultivate a solidarity economy in Surrey, his role also includes education and advocacy on this issue. He is also a member of the Black Arts Centre leadership team, and is passionate about the role that culture plays in building more inclusive, resilient and tolerant communities.
Laird Cronk
President, BC Federation of Labour
Laird was elected BCFED President in November 2018. He is a Red Seal Electrician and a 33-year member of IBEW Local 230. For the past four years, he chaired the BCFED’s Apprenticeship and Skills Training Working Group and is a board member of the provincial Industry Training Authority.
Liz McDowell
Director of Digital and Campaign Strategies, Stand.earth
Liz joined the Stand.earth team in 2017 with a particular focus on scaling up our digital campaigning power. In her role as Director of Digital and Campaign Strategies, she’s helped our campaigns engage more than 650,000 people and reach corporate and government decision-makers in innovative and unexpected ways. She also oversees Canadian campaigns strategy, directs our Canadian forests campaigns, and helps local governments transition off fossil fuels as part of the SAFE Cities Campaign. Before working with Stand, Liz was Campaigns Director at SumOfUs, where she mobilized millions of people online to take action on corporate accountability and shifted corporate policy at some of the world’s largest companies. She’s passionate about harnessing digital tools to catalyze real-world change, particularly around climate change and climate justice. Liz has founded two non-profits in the UK and Canada, designed green jobs training programs, carried out research on the economic impacts of the Trans Mountain tar sands pipeline, and worked on climate change adaptation with the UN Institute for Training and Research.
Marcy Cohen (Moderator)
Co-chair, Community-Based Seniors’ Services Leadership Council, United Way Healthy Aging Department
Marcy has over 35 years of experience working as health and policy researcher, educator and advocate. She has published over 35 articles focusing on seniors care, health care reform and workforce equity and has been involved in social justice issues as a professional and volunteer for most of her adult life. Now retired, Marcy is increasingly interested in promoting resiliency in older adults and supports this interest through her volunteer roles with the United Way, the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives and the BC Health Coalition
Mark Gamba
Mayor, City of Milwaukee, Oregon
Mark Gamba is the Mayor of Milwaukie, Oregon. He serves on the executive committee of the Metropolitan Mayors Consortium and is past Chair of Metropolitan Policy Advisory Committee. He has worked with a variety of organizations, committees and task forces on issues ranging from Climate Change, Affordable Housing and equitable multi-modal transportation. He ran for city council 9 years ago after experiencing climate change first hand as a National Geographic Photographer. He tries to walk his talk and is currently living in a small apartment and travels around the region on an electric bike. He is an outspoken advocate for increased and electrified transit. He led his city through a visioning process that resulted in a vision that starts: “In 2040, Milwaukie is a flourishing city that is entirely equitable, delightfully livable, and completely sustainable”. He also led the city in creating the largest active transportation infrastructure project in the history of the city and one of the strongest Climate Action plans in the state.
Mark Tyndall
Professor, UBC School of Population and Public Health
Dr. Mark Tyndall is a Professor at the UBC School of Population and Public Health. He is an infectious diseases specialist and epidemiologist with a focus on urban health, drug use and harm reduction. He was formerly the Executive Director of the BC Centre for Disease Control and the Deputy Provincial Health Officer. He is an author on over 280 peer-reviewed publications, and was co-lead investigator on the evaluation of Insite, North America’s first supervised injection site. His current work includes innovative solutions to prevent overdoses and the adverse health outcomes of drug use. Dr. Tyndall is a strong advocate and leader for public health in Canada and has fostered a number of community-based collaborations that have led to health policy changes.
Markiel Simpson
Activist, The BC Community Alliance
Markiel Simpson is a high-level athlete turned community advocate, who is actively working towards having Canadian Black History taught in schools across BC. Markiel is on the steering committee of the BC Community Alliance, a local non- for profit dedicated to breaking down systemic racism, especially as it affects BC’s Black community. Markiel is also a member of the World Economic Forum’s Global Shapers’ Vancouver hub, and co-Director of Diversity for the BC NDP’s Young New Democrats. Markiel was born in Montreal, but raised in East Vancouver, he has been drawn to politics and creating systemic change his whole life and is always one to stand up and speak out for those unable to speak for themselves.
Matthew Norris
President, Urban Native Youth Association
Matthew Norris is an Indigenous rights advocate and community leader dedicated to building a just and representative city. He is a is a member of the Lac La Ronge Indian Band in Northern Saskatchewan, and is currently finishing his PhD at UBC with a focus on the implementation of international Indigenous rights frameworks. Matthew Norris is the President of the Urban Native Youth Association, the Co-Chair for the Vancouver Just Recovery Association, and sits on BC Climate Secretariats’ Indigenous Climate Adaptation Working Group. For the past three years, Matthew has been employed as OneCity City Councillor Christine Boyle’s Policy and Communications Specialist, working on issues related to affordable housing, climate adaptation and the promotion of a just, responsive and representative city.
Michael Brauer
Professor, Occupational and Environmental Health, University of British Columbia
Michael Brauer joined the UBC faculty in 1991 in the Department of Medicine. He was an inaugural member of the Occupational Hygiene Program, Director of the School of Environmental Health (2003-2008) and the Occupational and Environmental Health co-lead in SPPH (2011-2014). He holds associate appointments in the Division of Respiratory Medicine and the Institute for Resources, Environment and Sustainability at UBC and is an Affiliate Professor in the Department of Global Health at the University of Washington. His research focuses on linkages between the built environment and human health, with specific interest in transportation-related and biomass air pollution, the global health impacts of air pollution and relationships between multiple exposures mediated by urban form and population health. He has conducted monitoring and epidemiological studies throughout the world and served on numerous advisory committees (e.g. World Health Organization, Climate and Clean Air Coalition, the US National Academies, Royal Society of Canada).
Michael Eglison
Chair, Death Review Panel, BC Coroners Service
Michael recently retired as the Director & Chair of Specialized Investigations and Death Review Unit for the BC Coroners Service (BCCS). He has worked in the public sector for the past 35 years in various capacities related to the health and well-being of children and youth. Part of Michael’s role at the BCCS is acting as the chair of death review panels. Death review panels bring together multi-sectorial experts to review the facts and circumstances around deaths to provide the chief coroner with advice regarding health and public safety and the prevention of deaths. Michael has chaired two panels on deaths resulting from illicit drug toxicity (reports released 2017 & 2022) as well as presided at two inquests into the deaths of people who died from toxic illicit drugs. He has also presented work on child health and well-being indicators internationally in Israel and South Korea. When not at work Michael spends as much time as possible kayaking and also ranks somewhere around the world’s 4th worst guitar player.
Moira Mackenzie
Board Member, Institute for Public Education BC
Moira Mackenzie has a long history of advocacy and engagement in public education. She taught in BC public schools for many years at the primary and intermediate levels, and as a Resource and Learning Assistance teacher. She retired recently from the BC Teachers’ Federation where she served as Assistant Director in Professional and Social Issues, Director of the Communications and Campaigns Division, and Executive Director. She is deeply committed to quality public education and the crucial role it plays in a democratic society. Moira is a member of the Board of IPE.
Moira Wyton (Moderator)
Health Reporter, The Tyee
Moira Wyton is The Tyee’s health reporter. Her reporting focuses on substance use, drug policy and mental health in B.C., and she has played a crucial role in COVID-19 coverage since joining The Tyee in March 2020. Moira previously reported in her hometown with the Edmonton Journal and Edmonton Sun.
Naheed Nenshi
Former Mayor of Calgary
Naheed Nenshi is a passionate Calgarian, an accomplished business professional, and a community leader with a solid track record of getting things done. He’s run a large nonprofit, he’s been a trusted advisor to corporate leaders in Canada and the US, and he literally wrote the book on Canadian cities. Naheed spent many years at the international business consulting firm, McKinsey & Co., where he advised large telecommunications, banking, retail and oil and gas companies in corporate strategy. After leaving McKinsey, Naheed formed his own business, the Ascend Group, a consultancy that assists public, private, and nonprofit organizations to grow. His real passion, though, is making cities, especially Calgary, work better. He’s the lead author of “Building Up: Making Canada’s Cities Engines of Growth and Magnets of Development” and has long been putting his ideas to work in Calgary. He served as Mayor of Calgary from 2010 to 2021.
Nathan Cullen
Minister of Municipal Affairs
Nathan Cullen was elected MLA for Stikine in the 2020 provincial election and is the Minister of Municipal Affairs. He previously served as Minister of State for Lands and Natural Resource Operations. He is the Chair of the Environment and Land Use Committee and a member of the Cabinet Committee on Economy. Nathan proudly served as Member of Parliament for the riding of Skeena-Bulkley Valley for 15 years, from 2004 to 2019. During his time in Ottawa, Nathan was named a Parliamentarian of the Year multiple times, served as Official Opposition House Leader, and held opposition critic roles for Finance, Ethics, Environment, and Democratic Reform. Nathan has worked to encourage the participation of young people in politics and the creation of new laws and has supported young entrepreneurs in the Northwest in starting and growing their businesses.
Ned Taylor (Moderator)
Councillor and CRD Director, District of Saanich
Ned is the youngest Saanich Councillor and CRD Director, and was born and raised in the district. He is passionate about the environment and climate change, affordability and housing, better transportation options, and building a community that works for everyone.
Nikki Hill (Moderator)
Principal, Earnscliffe Strategy Group
Nikki is a public engagement and campaign expert with over 20 years of experience in politics, strategic communications and government relations. Currently a Principal and Partner at Earnscliffe Strategy Group, Nikki’s previous roles include Director of Labour Participation at United Way of the Lower Mainland and Director of Organization for the BC NDP. Nikki is the volunteer Co-Chair of the United Way Period Promise campaign.
Ravi Kahlon
Minister of Jobs, Economic Recovery and Innovation
Ravi was elected as the MLA for Delta North in 2017. Born and raised in Victoria, Ravi was introduced to Field Hockey by his father and grandfather. He is a two time Olympian in the sport for Team Canada and has been inducted into the Delta Sports Hall of Fame. Prior to his election as an MLA, Ravi spent seven years in banking, and another six years working with the New Democrat Caucus as Director of Stakeholder Relations.
Sarah Potts
Councillor, City of Victoria
Sarah Potts is a currently a City Councillor in Victoria, BC. She was first elected in 2018 under the banner of Together Victoria, an effort to support equity seeking candidates and to build a strong voice for affordability and inclusion in the City of Victoria. Sarah is a graduate of the University of Victoria where she studied Political Science and Human Dimensions of Climate Change. Her work experience in the field of poverty, homelessness, and the overdose epidemic has motivated her to advocate for diverse representation and the inclusion of lived experience in decision making. To this end she has established the City of Victoria’s first Peer-Informed Task Force to address issues of mental health, addictions, and homelessness. This work has led the City of Victoria to pilot a Peer Assisted Crisis Team, an alternative to policing mental health, addictions, and homelessness.
Stephanie Atleo
Councillor, Cowichan Tribes First Nation
Stephanie Atleo is a member of Cowichan Tribes First Nation. Stephanie grew up in her community where she continues to reside and raise her two children. She is an active participant in community and culture. Stephanie is currently a member of the elected Chief and Council, serving her 5th term. In her role Stephanie sits on numerous committees including Education, Cowichan Tribes Treaty, Human Resources, Finance and Audit and participates on numerous working groups developing legislation and laws as Cowichan Tribes moves more towards Self-Governance and away from the Indian Act. Stephanie began her education in First Nation Governance in the mid 1990’s by attending a two year Associates of Arts Diploma program at the Institute of Indigenous Governance. She graduated from UBC with a BA in First Nations Studies, minoring in History. Prior to returning to Cowichan Tribes to serve on council as well as work in the Administration office, Stephanie worked as an Aboriginal Relations’ consultant traveling to many communities in BC working with communities on some large projects. Stephanie is currently in pursuit of a Masters Degree in Governance and Leadership. In addition to her interest in school, Stephanie’s other interests include reading, playing fastball, and art.
Stephanie Smith
President, BC Government and Service Employees’ Union
Stephanie is the first woman elected president of the BC Government and Service Employees’ Union (BCGEU), representing 80,000 members at 550 different employers and B.C. government ministries. Stephanie was elected BCGEU president at the union’s convention in May 2014, and was re-elected for her second term in June 2017. She is from the non-government sector, reflecting the diversity of BCGEU’s membership base. Stephanie has already made her mark on the union, meeting with members around the province and being consultative and connected with the union’s elected officials, members and staff.
Sussanne Skidmore
Secretary-Treasurer, BC Federation of Labour
Sussanne chairs the Columbia Institute’s board of directors and is a well-known social justice advocate and queer-and-human-rights activist. She was elected as the BC Federation of Labour’s Secretary-Treasurer in 2018 and has been a member of the BC Government and Service Employees Union (BCGEU) since 1997, serving in nearly every elected position—from steward to executive vice president. By profession, Sussanne is a training analyst in the Court Services Branch of the Ministry of Justice where she worked for more than a decade. She is also the Treasurer of Canada’s New Democratic Party (NDP) and Vice President of the BC NDP. She represents a generation of labour leaders working to grow the labour movement to meet today’s most pressing challenges.
Tariq Tyab
Co-Founder, Resilience BC and Foundation for a Path Forward
Tariq has been a community capacity builder for over 20 years. His passion for breaking silos and building bridges has enabled multiple organizations to work with new Multicultural and Faith community allies. He is a co-founder of the Official Faith Based Community Convener for Resilience B.C., Foundation for a Path Forward, as well as Islam Unravelled Educational Initiative, and the Muslim Food Bank. Tariq also serves as the VP of Media for the BC Muslim Association, the province’s largest Muslim organization. As a social entrepreneur, Tariq is also a co-founder of a technology company focused on developing solutions for shared community challenges.
Temitope Onifade
Climate, Low-Carbon Regulation, and Governance Expert, School of Public Policy, University of British Columbia
Temitope Onifade is a climate and low-carbon regulation and governance expert. He is a Vanier Scholar at the Peter A. Allard Law School and a Co-founder of the Liu Institute Network for Africa at the School of Public Policy and Global Affairs, UBC. He has also worked as a researcher for Canada Climate Law Initiative, UBC, and Commonwealth Climate and Law Initiative, Oxford University. As a scholar-practitioner, Temi contributes to Canada’s government low-carbon policy, industry and civil society climate action initiatives, and the United Nations climate policy process. He has served on the UBC Senate and several NGO boards. His work has featured in the media, including Canadian Lawyer Magazine, The Lawyer’s Daily, CBC News, Global News, The Logic, Financial Post and several others.
Trent Derrick
Education Advocate
Trent is proud to be from the Gitxsan Nation. He is known is his community for advocating for Youth at Risk, poverty reduction and equity for those in need and was the former Board Chair for School District 57. His two businesses were the first in Northern BC to take the Period Promise Pledge by providing free products for his staff. As a small business owner, he believes in the importance of working closely with local labour to better the community at large.
Yuill Herbert
Principal, Sustainability Solutions Group (SSG)
Yuill has been an SSG Principal for over 17 years. He has worked on and led more than forty community energy and GHG plans and models across Canada. He has leading expertise on climate change mitigation and adaptation systems modelling that incorporates energy, GHG emissions and co-benefits. Yuill serves as a director on the board of the Tatamagouche Community Land Trust.