2024 Conference Program
Conference Quick-Links:
Wednesday, October 16, 2024
| Time | Room | Session |
|---|---|---|
| 8:00am–4:00pm | Manchester | API Board Meeting |
| 11:00am–5:00pm | Foyer | Registration |
| 1:00pm–4:30pm | Meet in Foyer | Pre-conference: From Unincorporated to Incorporated - Creating a Rural Plan for the newly established Village of Fundy-St. Martins Bus Tour $30 per person (Stephen Stone, Planner, Partner, Dillon Consulting; Scott Borden, Director of Community Planning, Fundy Regional Service Commission ) [su_spoiler title="Session Description" open="yes" style="default" icon="plus" anchor="" anchor_in_url="no" class=""] Like other local governments in New Brunswick, the Village of Fundy-St. Martins was recently created as a result of Local Governance Reform and established on January 1, 2023. Overnight the former Village grew from a picturesque seaside community with a few hundred residents to much larger geographic area with around 5,000 residents. With a newly formed Council and a varied geography including rural areas, the village, and the world-class Fundy Trail Parkway; this bus tour will explore this beautiful place and the challenges and opportunities faced by creating a new Rural Plan the much larger reformed Village of Fundy-St. Martins. [/su_spoiler] |
| 2:00pm–4:30pm | Meet in Foyer | Pre-conference: A Journey Through Heritage - Saint John Bus/Walking Tour $15 per person (Jennifer Kichner, Manager of Community Planning, City of Saint John; Rodrigo Mendes Campos, Heritage Officer, City of Saint John) [su_spoiler title="Session Description" open="no" style="default" icon="plus" anchor="" anchor_in_url="no" class=""] Guided bus and walking tour lead by City of Saint Jonh’s Community Planning Manager Jennifer Kirchner and Heritage Officer Rodrigo Mendes Campos which will visit sites in different areas of the city that showcase examples of a respectful approach to Preservation and Rehabilitation within Heritage Areas. The tour aims to offer the guest a firsthand perspective on Heritage Architecture interventions as well as highlight development initiatives that are taking place around Saint John. [/su_spoiler] |
| 6:00pm–6:30pm | Saint John Arts Centre | New Member Welcome |
| 6:30pm–9:00pm | Saint John Arts Centre | Opening Reception |
Thursday, October 17, 2024
| Time | Room | Session |
|---|---|---|
| 7:30am-8:15am | Delta Hotel Lobby/Foyer | Fort Howe Morning Dash Start your day with an invigorating run along the scenic harbour passage trail! This morning activity is designed to energize you for the day ahead. We’ll run to Fort How, which offers a panoramic view of the City. Bring comfortable running shoes, water bottle, and a camera or smartphone for capturing the stunning views. |
| 7:30am - 9:00 am | Foyer | Registration |
| 8:00am–9:00am | Foyer / Ballroom | - - - Breakfast - - - |
| 9:00am–9:30am | Ballroom | Welcoming Remarks & Introductions |
| 9:30am–10:30am | Ballroom |  Keynote SpeakerEric Weissman |
| 10:30am–11:00am | Foyer / Ballroom | Break sponsored in collaboration by the Cities of Fredericton and Moncton |
| 11:00am–12:00pm | Ballroom | Session 1: Shape Stratford - Solutions to Barriers Around New Housing Supply (Wendy Watts, Community & Business Engagement Manager, Town of Stratford; Samantha Murphy, We6 Planning Group and Shape Stratford Planning Lead; Michelle MacDonald, Co-Owner & Chief Strategist, AOR 360 and Shape Stratford Engagement Lead) [su_spoiler title="Session Description" open="no" style="default" icon="plus" anchor="" anchor_in_url="no" class=""]In fall 2022 the Town of Stratford, Prince Edward Island received funding from CMHC to develop a project through round 2 of the Housing Supply Challenge focused on finding solutions to pre-development barriers for new affordable housing supply. With a focus on public education, on demystifying density using public campaigns and an online, interactive platform, the 18-month Shape Stratford project has led to increased municipal collaboration and increased public dialogue around the future of Stratford. Join us for this recap of the Shape Stratford project and its impact.[/su_spoiler] |
| 11:00am–12:00pm | Trinity | Session 2: Land Economics 101 - Bridging the Gap Between Planning Policy and Project Feasibility (Kaitlyn Lacelle, Business Development Officer, Moncton Industrial Development; Neil Lovitt, Vice President, Economic Intelligence & Planning, Turner Drake & Partners Ltd. ) [su_spoiler title="Session Description" open="no" style="default" icon="plus" anchor="" anchor_in_url="no" class=""]Do you hate math? Do you wonder why developers complain about costs so much? Have you been tasked with solving the housing crisis? An understanding of land economics can help! This session will provide a practical approach to understand how planning policy tools relate to today’s changing economic circumstances and how they impact real world outcomes, including: • Inclusionary Zoning – how much affordability is possible before we throw the baby out with the bath water? • Zoning Regulations – how do we balance planning priorities, and where do we risk regulating against our own interests? • Heritage Conservation – wielding land economics to achieve what legislation and regulation alone cannot.[/su_spoiler] |
| 11:00pm–12:00pm | McAvity | Session 3: Planning, Indigenous Engagement and Consultation in the Maritimes (Harrison Ellis, Planner, Dillon Consulting; Alana Vigna, Indigenous and Socio-Cultural Planner, Dillon Consulting) [su_spoiler title="Session Description" open="no" style="default" icon="plus" anchor="" anchor_in_url="no" class=""]Planning alongside and for Indigenous communities has been an increasing topic of interest within the planning sector. Dillon Consulting proposes to deliver an informal workshop on relationship building among municipalities, proponents, and Indigenous communities. The discussion will focus broadly on how collaboration can shape the outcome of planning and economic development projects. [/su_spoiler] |
| 12:00pm–1:00pm | Foyer / Ballroom | - - - Lunch - - - |
| 12:00pm-1:00pm | Trinity | NBAP AGM |
| 12:30pm-1:00pm | McAvity | PSB - The Road to RPP Professional Standards Board [su_spoiler title="Session Description" open="no" style="default" icon="plus" anchor="" anchor_in_url="no" class=""]Aspiring and current RPP candidates seeking certification as Registered Professional Planners (RPPs) in Canada are invited to join us on a journey through the certification process. In this presentation, we’ll explore the pathways to becoming an RPP. With a focus on both the accredited degree pathway and Prior Learning Assessment Recognition (PLAR) pathway. From the requirements for admission through to obtaining you RPP designation to the final exam, we’ll demystify the certification process. Whether you’re a fresh graduate, or seasoned planner working in Canada, this session will provide valuable insights into obtaining your RPP designation. Join us as we pave your path toward excellence in planning![/su_spoiler] |
| 1:00pm–2:00pm | Ballroom | Session 4: Housing at the (Shopping) Centre - Increasing Mixed-Use in Retail Areas (Matthew Robinson, Planner, City of Fredericton; Sarah Anderson, Manager of Development Planning, City of Moncton; Mark Reade, Senior Planner, City of Saint John; Yeva Mattson, Planner, City of Saint John) [su_spoiler title="Session Description" open="no" style="default" icon="plus" anchor="" anchor_in_url="no" class=""]The face of commercial business and its zoning has been changing rapidly. As we find commercial needs and patterns changing and with the rising need for housing, we have seen developers redeveloping former commercial areas to large scale residential or mixed use. Discover what challenges have emerged and been overcome in this process from cases presented by Fredericton, Moncton, and Saint John planners in a panel discussion. [/su_spoiler] |
| 1:00pm–2:00pm | Trinity | Session 5: Expropriating through Planning: How the Supreme Court of Canada relaxed the constructive taking Test in Annapolis Group Inc. v. Halifax Regional Municipality, 2022 SCC 36 (André Daigle, Droit JURIS Law) [su_spoiler title="Session Description" open="no" style="default" icon="plus" anchor="" anchor_in_url="no" class=""]Are planning refusals now a form of expropriation? How far can planners draft legislation so as to not trigger a constructive taking? Let’s look at lessons learned and warning signs from HRM’s refusal to upzone lands in an area designated for future parkland. [/su_spoiler] |
| 1:00pm–2:00pm | Meet in McAvity (Learning Tour Offsite) | Session 6: City Market National Historic Site - Learning Tour (Kieron Hunt, Planning Lead, FBM; David Dobbelsteyn, Acting Director of Growth and Community Planning, City of Saint John) [su_spoiler title="Session Description" open="no" style="default" icon="plus" anchor="" anchor_in_url="no" class=""]Join staff from the City of Saint John and FBM on a learning tour of the City Market National Historic Site, Canada’s oldest continuously operated public Market - which traces its origins the City’s very founding! The tour will take place inside, around (and potentially under) the Market, and will review its unique history and cover why the City Market Strategic Plan (2023) was developed, how it was prepared and designed, key components of the Plan, and the changes that are happening in the Market to make the new plan a reality in and around the building. [/su_spoiler] |
| 2:00pm–2:30pm | Foyer / Ballroom | - - - Break - - - sponsored by NBSE |
| 2:30pm–4:00pm | Meet in Ballroom (Walking Tour Offsite) | Session 7: Fundy Quay Development - Full Sails on the Waterfront - Developing Saint John's Inner Harbour (Mark Reade, Senior Planner, City of Saint John; Thomas Lewallen, Planner, City of Saint John) [su_spoiler title="Session Description" open="no" style="default" icon="plus" anchor="" anchor_in_url="no" class=""]Developed on a challenging brownfield site, the Fundy Quay development is the culmination of years of development plans for a former Coast Guard base located on Saint John Harbour. The mixed-use development, currently under construction, will include residential units and commercial space adding additional vibrancy to the City’s Uptown. Redevelopment of waterfront public space is also a component of the overall project. The session will begin with a presentation covering development planning, the development process, and site improvements for Climate Change adaptation, and end with a walking tour of the development area.[/su_spoiler] |
| 2:30pm–4:30pm | Trinity | Session 8: Housing Accelerator Fund (HAF) Approaches across Atlantic Canada (Joshua Adams, Principal Planner, HRM; Byungjun Kang, Planner III, HRM; Eleanor Fierlbeck, Planner I, HRM; Elaine Mitchell, We6 Planning Group; Mary Bishop, We6 Planning Group; Janice Harper, We6 Planning Group; Tracey Wade, We6 Planning Group; Ann-Maire Cashin, Planner III, City of St. John's; Josh Davies, Manager of Long Range Policy Planning, City of Moncton) [su_spoiler title="Session Description" open="no" style="default" icon="plus" anchor="" anchor_in_url="no" class=""]CMHC's Housing Accelerator Fund (HAF) is being utilized by municipalities across Canada to increase the nation's housing supply. In this session, planners will explore successful implementation of zoning reform that meets HAF criteria in Summerside and Halifax, followed by a broader roundtable discussion that will explore further approaches in Moncton, Fredericton and St. John's. Join us as we delve into the complexities of this important work, including technical analysis and modeling, public engagement approaches, and balancing broader infrastructure constraints while meeting short timelines associated with the HAF. [/su_spoiler] |
| 2:30pm-3:30pm | McAvity | Session 9: Reimaging Suburban Growth: Quispamsis's Strategic Approach to Inclusive Growth and Community Design (Speakers: Stephen Stone, Planner, Partner, Dillon Consulting; Dwight Colburne, Planning Manager, Town of Quispamsis) [su_spoiler title="Session Description" open="no" style="default" icon="plus" anchor="" anchor_in_url="no" class=""]As Atlantic Canada grapples with housing and population growth challenges, the Quispamsis Municipal Plan Update and Zoning Bylaw Review presents an innovative model for suburban communities. By introducing a new vision that increases land use intensity, the plan aims to create a vibrant town center with mixed-use developments and diverse housing options, including "missing middle" and apartment buildings. Enhanced public engagement and regional collaboration underscore the community's transformation towards more amenities, interesting urban spaces, and employment opportunities, welcoming newcomers and accommodating various family sizes. This model showcases a strategic approach to balancing growth with sustainability and inclusivity. [/su_spoiler] |
| 3:30pm-4:30pm | McAvity | Session 10: New Maryland Highway: Redefining the Village’s main street with Urban Design Standards (Paul Dec, Planner, Upland Planning and Design Studio) [su_spoiler title="Session Description" open="no" style="default" icon="plus" anchor="" anchor_in_url="no" class=""]Main streets play a pivotal role in the growth targets for an aspiring community like New Maryland: younger generations are increasingly favouring life in places where businesses and community amenities are situated within walking distance from their homes. Seniors have similar preferences and want to be close to community life and places of daily errands. As development interest is rising in this suburban community of 4,000 residents, Village Council decided to establish a clear visual identity and a set of design rules on their main street known as ‘New Maryland Highway’. How would you design a new main street? [/su_spoiler] |
| 4:15pm–6:15 pm | Ballroom | School of Planning Alumni Event |
| 6:00pm-6:30pm | Trinity | Reception Cash bar |
| 6:30pm–7:30pm | Trinity | Conference Banquet and Awards |
| 7:30pm-12:00am | Ballroom | Casino Night and Hospitality Cash bar |
Friday, October 18, 2024
| Time | Room | Session |
|---|---|---|
| 8:00am–9:00am | Foyer / Ballroom | - - - Breakfast - - - |
| 8:30am-9:00am | MaAvity | Mentorship: Guiding Candidates Toward Certification Professional Standards Board [su_spoiler title="Session Description" open="no" style="default" icon="plus" anchor="" anchor_in_url="no" class=""]Are you a seasoned planner with wisdom to share? Or perhaps you’re considering stepping into the mentorship role? Join us for an engaging session hosted by the Professional Standards Board for the Planning Professions in Canada (PSB). We will focus on mentorship a vital piece of the candidate journey that enriches our profession and shapes the next generation of planners. In this presentation, we’ll delve into the role of the mentorship in the certification journey. Expectations and best practices for mentors and resources to support you on your journey. Q&A section with 2-3 mentor panelists: Ever wondered what seasoned mentors wish they’d known when they started? Our panel of experienced mentors will answer your burning questions and inspire you to take up the mentorship mantle.[/su_spoiler] |
| 9:00am–10:30am | Ballroom | Session 11: Understanding and Managing Growth – The City of Moncton Urban Growth Strategy and Development Charge By-law (Daryl Abbs, Managing Partner, Watson & Associates Economists Ltd.; Erik Karvinen, Manager, Watson & Associates Economists Ltd; Bill Budd, Director of Planning and Development, City of Moncton; Josh Davies, Manager of Long Range Planning Policy, City of Moncton)[su_spoiler title="Session Description" open="no" style="default" icon="plus" anchor="" anchor_in_url="no" class=""]Many of Atlantic Canada’s municipalities are experiencing significant population growth which is driving the need to plan for a higher quantum and diversity of housing. Local municipalities play a key role in addressing the opportunities and challenges in the housing sector through effective local policies, planning and programs. This session will highlight the range of demographic and economic trends that are influencing population growth across Atlantic Canada’s municipalities, including the rise of hybrid/remote working, shifts in economic growth opportunities, an aging population, and immigration. The session will explore how Atlantic Canada municipalities can embrace growth strategies, housing studies and innovative regulatory and financial tools and programs to proactively identify housing needs and accelerate housing development activity over the short- and longer-term period. One such funding tool is Development Charges. The Provincial government updated the Community Planning Act in 2017. Under the old Act, municipalities were empowered to collect capital charges under "Payment for Service" (Section 45). With the emplacement of the new Act, the cost recovery mechanism under Section 45 of the old Act was replaced with a new Division G which provides for the establishment of Development Charges. The session will provide a case study of the City of Moncton, New Brunswick, the largest and fastest growing municipality at in the Province, and how that community is planning for long-term growth. The session will explore how the City is addressing long-term housing needs within a broader growth management framework, reflecting population, labour and employment/economic considerations and growth potential, through a planning, economic, and fiscal lens, including the introduction of the first Development Charges by-law in the Province.[/su_spoiler] |
| 9:00am–10:00am | Trinity | Session 12: Navigating the Storm: Overcoming Misinformation in Post-Pandemic Planning Engagement (Jennifer Brown, Planner, Associate, Dillon Consulting; Stephen Stone, Planner, Partner, Dillon Consulting) [su_spoiler title="Session Description" open="no" style="default" icon="plus" anchor="" anchor_in_url="no" class=""]In the wake of COVID-19, planning initiatives like the CBRM Forward Municipal Planning Strategy, Town of Hampton's Zoning By-law Review, and District of Carleton North Municipal Plan projects faced unprecedented public scrutiny fueled by conspiracy theories, particularly around "15-minute cities" and surveillance concerns. This presentation delves into these challenges, showcasing how misinformation was confronted through health and safety planning, de-escalation techniques, and staff preparation. Through case studies, it highlights effective strategies for countering misinformation and fostering constructive engagement, underlining the critical role of clear communication and inclusive dialogue in shaping equitable and resilient communities in the face of adversity.[/su_spoiler] |
| 9:00am–10:00am | McAvity | Session 13: No Appetite For Distraction: How to keep your sustainability plans from being blunted, side-tracked, rabbitholed and nerfed (Tim Moerman, Director of Environment Planning and Management, City of Moncton) [su_spoiler title="Session Description" open="no" style="default" icon="plus" anchor="" anchor_in_url="no" class=""]This presentation offers an overview of how climate action risks being undermined, and how your town/city can set yourself up for success in confronting climate change. It's a climate emergency, and cities everywhere agree that something must be done, and fast. Unfortunately, we're all doing this for the first time, and as it stands, we're making a lot of mistakes that are hindering actual progress. Drawing on experience and on wisdom of writers from Harry Frankfurt to Nassim Nicholas Taleb, I'll talk about how to avoid common pitfalls including: overfixation on metrics at the expense of action; poorly-specified RFP's; conflation of means and ends; the hereditary consulting aristocracy; sustainability cargo cults; misunderstanding of energy and physics; and excessive catering to short-armed frugivores. Expect jokes and cartoons. I top it off with the parable of the piano movers and tough but ultimately hopeful suggestions for a way forward to meaningful climate action before it's even more too late than it is.[/su_spoiler] |
| 10:00am–10:30am | Trinity | Session 14: Charting a Course: Navigating Oakville's Housing Crisis with the Data Hub (Lauren Wilson, Applications Specialist, Esri Canada) [su_spoiler title="Session Description" open="no" style="default" icon="plus" anchor="" anchor_in_url="no" class=""]The Town of Oakville projects to double in size by 2050, and they need to show residents and upper-levels of government that they were meeting their current and future residents’ housing needs. With a series of easy-to-read and easy-to-update dashboards, the Town was able to align their data to the province’s goals and show Oakvillians how hard city staff were working to serve them. This presentation will show the amazing dashboards created by and for the Town of Oakville, which serve as a one-stop-shop for everyone’s questions about how Oakville is addressing the housing crisis. [/su_spoiler] |
| 10:00am–10:30am | McAvity | Session 15: Coast to Coast with Eagleview (James Donaldson, District Manager, Eagleview) [su_spoiler title="Session Description" open="no" style="default" icon="plus" anchor="" anchor_in_url="no" class=""]From Vancouver to St. John’s and everywhere in between, come and see how municipalities across Canada are using EagleView’s oblique imagery to make better informed decisions, improve 911 response times, monitor water levels, plan future communities, GIS workflows, property assessment and 3D models for the City of St. John’s[/su_spoiler] |
| 10:30pm–11:00am | Foyer / Ballroom | - - - Break - - - |
| 11:00pm–12:00pm | Ballroom | Closing Keynote Panel - Rising Together - Turning the Tides on Housing Solutions Ken Forrest, Kit Hickey, Dale Hicks, and Keith Brideau moderated by Don Darling [su_spoiler title="Session Description" open="no" style="default" icon="plus" anchor="" anchor_in_url="no" class=""]The closing keynote panel brings different perspectives together to discuss how we can turn the tides on housing solutions. The panelists will dive into new housing ideas, embracing new directions, and how we can work together to address affordability. The panel provides an opportunity to share real world solutions and discuss how we can implement these ideas within our own communities.[/su_spoiler] |
| 12:00pm–12:30pm | Ballroom | Closing Remarks |