COVID-19 has challenged the City of Toronto and municipal governments across the country like never before. The City has adapted to respond to the increased and profound needs of Toronto’s residents, businesses, and neighbourhoods, especially those most impacted by the pandemic – racialized, Indigenous, and equity-seeking communities. To protect lives and livelihoods it has worked closely and effectively across governments including with other cities in the region, institutions, and community partners.

To successfully recover and renew our city, the City cannot do it all and it cannot do it alone. Responding to COVID-19 has demonstrated how effective governments can be when they prioritize collaboration and the well-being of all Canadians. A “whole of governments” approach will continue to be critical as we lay the foundation for a shared recovery amidst the ongoing uncertainty and challenges the pandemic presents. Collaboration is critical to achieve shared success of governments, communities, agencies, academic institutions and the private sector.

What does Toronto and the region need to recover from COVID-19 and build back stronger? How can we build on recent successes and continue to address and overcome the constraints and barriers that have historically limited effective intergovernmental and intersectoral collaboration? What will partnership look like across the GTHA?

Toronto’s City Manager Chris Murray shared his thoughts on the learnings of the last several months and what he sees as the way forward.

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Speaker:
On June 27, 2018, Chris Murray was appointed the City Manager of Toronto. Prior to this, Chris was the City Manager of Hamilton for almost 10 years. He is by profession a registered city planner; by previous experience a transportation and housing director; by necessity a relationship builder; and by passion a public sector employee.

Moderator:
Jan De Silva is President and CEO of the Toronto Region Board of Trade, one of the largest and most influential business organizations in North America. Jan brings to the role more than 14 years of international CEO experience building ambitious, high-growth organizations. Prior to joining the Board, she served as CEO of Sun Life Financial’s Hong Kong and Mainland China businesses and co-founded and later sold Retail China Limited. Jan also served as Dean of Ivey Asia for Ivey Business School of Western University.