Extreme heat is becoming one of the greatest climate risks facing Canadians. Yet hundreds of thousands of people living in older low-rise apartment and condominium buildings remain without access to safe, affordable cooling. While heat pumps offer an effective solution, financing, policy, governance, workforce, and market barriers continue to prevent widespread adoption.

This interactive workshop introduces Keep It Cool, a province-wide living case study in collaborative climate innovation that advances a made-in-BC economic strategy to accelerate heat pump adoption in low-rise multi-unit residential buildings. Register for SFU Vancouver Climate Day here.

This session will provide a comprehensive update on current and forthcoming federal, provincial, and municipal programs designed to support building retrofits. It will cover incentives like the Canada Greener Homes Grant, CleanBC programs, and municipal low-carbon building policies. The panel will also explore how program access is evolving and how owners can stack multiple funding sources.

PhiLab Podcasts features a special series on The Environment in April. UCL Lead Convenor Shauna Sylvester joins host Joey MacIntosh to explain how working on heat pumps in low-rise residential buildings is important to climate, environment and equity. PhiLab is an effort to better understand the philanthropic scene in Canada through interviews with researchers and professionals working on a variety of topics in the philanthropic world. Listen here.

PhiLab March 2025 podcasts features a closer look at Women’s Perspectives in Canadian Philanthropy. Host Joey MacIntosh traces how gender and feminism has played a role in shaping UCL Lead Convenor Shauna Sylvester work in Canada and internationally. PhiLab is an effort to better understand the philanthropic scene in Canada through interviews with researchers and professionals working on a variety of topics in the philanthropic world. Check out their full line up of podcasts at philab.uquam.ca.

Join Moderator Shauna Sylvester for this Urban Climate Leadership Online Webinar featuring Mary Rowe, CEO, Canadian Urban Institute, Mairin Loewen, Assoc. Program Director, UCL, and Matthew Mendelsohn, CEO, Social Capital Partners as they explore the impact of US tariffs on Canadian cities. Register here.

This dialogue is Urban Climate Leadership’s third focused session on Transitioning to Heat Pumps in Low-Rise MURBs. This invitational dialogue will bring together leaders from across the blended finance spectrum - including financial institutions, social investors, philanthropists and government officials with people who represent residents and owners of 3 and 4 story buildings to identify practical and viable solutions to financing and funding heat pumps.

PhiLab Podcasts 5th season opens with a series on Education. PhiLab is an effort to better understand the philanthropic scene in Canada through interviews with researchers and professionals working on a variety of topics in the philanthropic world. Join host Joey MacIntosh in his interview of UCL Lead Convenor Shauna Sylvester, as they explore the themes of formal and informal education and the lessons that youth can offer the philanthropic sector.

A virtual consultation designed for city staff working on sustainability and procurement. Join Urban Climate Leadership as we begin to shape a Pan-Canadian initiative that unlocks the power of local government in driving equitable climate action through procurement. What are the opportunities and obstacles in advancing sustainable municipal procurement?

UCL Associate Program Director Mairin Loewen joins moderator Harriet Ekperigin and panelists Sarah Good, and Andrew LeBlanc for this FCM Collective Webinar.

With municipal and provincial elections taking place from coast to coast to coast, coupled with a federal election happening anytime in the coming months, politics are taking on a whole new life in the social and public arena. Moreover, public discourse has become increasingly divisive and pointed. Research conducted by the Union of Municipalities of Quebec shows that 62% of mayors and councillors have experienced verbal violence. The majority have also said that the political environment has rapidly and significantly deteriorated over the last two years.

This free, FCM Collective webinar will explore strategies, initiatives, and practices to help cultivate environments where individuals feel respected, valued and empowered to contribute their unique perspectives and talents. Participants will delve into their experiences on the campaign trail, discuss issues arising from public life, and the challenges and implications of the social media landscape. The panel will share insights and solutions to create more supportive environments for candidates seeking election to public office.

The impact of the 2024 provincial election on housing in BC. A Keynote Lunch Panel Presentation Moderated by Shauna Sylvester in conversation with seasoned political commentators: Geoff Meggs, Mary Polak and Stephen Smart.

Shauna Sylvester joins Glen Cheetham, Runa Das, and Cecilia Jacques and ICLEI’s CEO Megan Meaney to explore the crucial role that local governments and organizations can play in addressing interconnected energy justice issues.

Addressing climate change and biodiversity loss is a whole society challenge, that crosses borders, affects multiple generations, and touches us locally and globally.  Hear from leaders working diligently on this issue and learn about different approaches being taken to make progress.