Each December, the Canadian Urban Institute convenes hundreds of urban professionals, policymakers, community leaders, and researchers from across the country at the State of Canada’s Cities Summit. Together, they assess the health of our cities and collaborate on the ideas and investments needed to strengthen them.
In 2025, Canada stands at a turning point. Housing and affordability challenges, infrastructure gaps, and the need for a cohesive national economy are testing the resilience of local communities. The third annual State of Canada’s Cities Summit will focus on what’s working –the local innovations, frameworks, and partnerships that are already making cities stronger – and explore how to scale them across Canada.
This year’s theme, Better Places for a Better Canada: Leveraging the Local, invites urban leaders from across Canada and beyond to explore scalable models that can help build stronger, more resilient communities and contribute to building a stronger national economy alongside other national priorities. Through keynote conversations, panels, and working sessions, the Summit will connect diverse city builders and decision-makers to advance shared priorities and develop tangible pathways for national transformation – starting at the local level.
