What a day at the REenvision Housing symposium!
With over 300 enthusiastic participants, our symposium transformed into a vibrant hub of insights and perspectives from across the housing continuum. The collective commitment of participants to the sustainability, resiliency, and prosperity of the Region was evident throughout the day.
Participants identified diverse challenges and opportunities that will require a collective effort, recognizing that none of us can fulfill our shared vision in isolation.
We know there won’t be a one-size-fits-all solution. But together we can ensure that we are catalysts for change and that our solutions are integrated and effective; that we are linking housing to employment and education opportunities as well as wrap-around supports and other community amenities and other key services.
The EMRB board will review the insights and takeaways that emerged from REenvison Housing 2023 symposium. This input from leading experts, elected officials, developers, non-profits, and community builders will help inform what next steps the EMRB may consider.
Thank you to all our participants for being a crucial part of the REenvision Housing 2023 symposium’s success!
EMRB Chair and Mayor of Parkland County, Allan Gamble, emphasized the importance of a regional approach to ensure affordability and attractive housing options, stressing that “together we can build a Region that offers opportunities and quality of life to all of our residents.”
"We are committed to working with municipalities, industry, housing organizations, and everyone else. One thing I know for sure is that none of us will solve this alone."
Honourable Ric McIver
Minister of Municipal Affairs
Honourable Jason Nixon, Minister of Seniors, Community and Social Services, recognizes the need for safe, attainable, and affordable housing options for Albertans and why “the province is actively strengthening policies, programs, and regulations while reducing red tape to enhance the availability of affordable housing stock.”
We’re excited about the future we’re building together!
“Thank you to this Region for putting housing at the forefront; for realizing that this is a generational keystone issue … and that if we solve this together, everything else flows from getting this right.”
Honourable Randy Boissonnault
Minister of Employment, Workforce Development, and Official Languages
"When you enable people to have a decent place to call home, not only are they able to live to their full potential but they also contribute to the economy."
Amarjeet Sohi
Mayor of City of Edmonton
“Respectful relations will give us the solid foundation we need to create a better future for all our relations for generations to come.”
Desmond G. Bull
Grand Chief of The Confederacy of
Treaty Six First Nations
Key Takeaways
The three main takeaways
Need for increased partnerships and collaboration
Need for enhanced data and strategies
Need for an integrated yet asymmetrical approach across the Region (no one size fits all)
Next Steps
The Board will review the debrief and takeaways that emerged from the symposium, which is comprised of leading experts, elected officials, developers, non-profits, and community builders. This input will play a crucial role in guiding EMRB in determining the next steps to consider.
“A sense of being part of a community is important … [people] want to connect to feel they belong.”
Rispah Tremblay
Senior Manager, Settlement Services, Edmonton Mennonite Centre for Newcomers
“It’s more than just housing, it’s about community.”
Linda Bernicki
Director, Community Development and Indigenous Engagement, Rural Development Network
“The secret sauce of ending homelessness is leadership – municipalities can play a role, but the province has to be engaged.”
Tim Richter
President & Chief Executive Officer, Canadian Alliance to End Homelessness
REenvision Rewind
Review what you learned at the symposium, and glean insights from the breakout sessions that you missed.
Greetings
Mayor Allan Gamble, Grand Chief Desmond Bull, Mayor Amarjeet Sohi, Honourable Ric McIver, Minister Municipal Affairs
Master of Ceremonies Karen Wichuk, EMRB CEO
Keynote: Chris Fair
President and CEO, Resonance Consultancy Ltd.
The Path to Prosperity: Building More Livable & Lovable Communities
Remarks
Honourable Jason Nixion, Minister of Seniors, Community and Social Services
Breakout Sessions #1
A: Embracing Multigenerational Living and Innovative Housing Solutions
B: Closing the Housing Gap: Strategies and Solutions for Thriving Rural Communities
C: The Unseen: Housing Needs and Non-Market Housing
Due to technical difficulties, there is no Video
Lunch
Remarks: Honourable Randy Boissonnault, Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Official Languages
Presentation: Shaun Cathcart, Senior Economist, Canadian Real Estate Association
Breakout Sessions #2
A: Downtown Livability and Challenges in the Centres
B: Understanding Changing Demographics
C: Navigating Affordability Challenges
Due to technical difficulties, there is no Video
PM Panel
What We Heard: Bringing Together the Learnings of the Day and Opportunities for the Region
Interested in seeing one of the powerpoint presentations from REenvision Housing?
Drop us an email at info@emrb.ca.
REenvision Housing 2023 Symposium
This full-day program was packed with interactive presentations from leading thinkers in residential development and housing innovation.
Our Affordable Future
Discover this comprehensive report that explores a diverse array of policy mechanisms to meet the demand for a broader mix of housing types.
Speakers
See the full list of speakers that joined us at the symposium.
Your support helped set the stage to shape tomorrow’s housing landscape
We are thrilled to extend our appreciation to our sponsors for their invaluable support in making REenvision Housing 2023 an outstanding success, with a remarkable turnout of over 300 enthusiastic attendees. Your sponsorship played an instrumental role in ensuring the resounding success of our event. The energy, enthusiasm, and sense of community that radiated from the event were truly remarkable, and we couldn’t have achieved this without your support!