LOCAL CLEAN GROWTH IS OUR GOAL

Every community deserves to be included in, and benefit from, Canada’s growing clean economy. Communities need more initiatives that address residents’ needs, create good jobs and grow the local economy, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and adapt to a changing climate – all to make life easier, more affordable, and allow the community to thrive. We work with governments, industry, and civil society groups to craft solutions that will advance these livable and sustainable communities, and this cleaner growth that makes our communities more resilient to climate change.

WHAT ARE COMMUNITIES FACING

From a wilder and more intense climate to aging communities and skilled worker shortages to unaffordable housing and increasing food and energy costs, communities are facing significant challenges. These challenges are restricting communities’ ability to lower the cost of living, increase accessibility, create jobs in a world that is reducing emissions, and strengthen their ability to adapt to a changing climate. And no one level of government, industry, or individual can solve these problems on their own.

HOW WE HELP

We work with government, industry, and civil society groups to deeply understand the problems that hold back local clean growth and more livable communities within a given region. We then provide practical solutions that build on the unique strengths of those communities, and where everyone involved has a role in creating a future where their family and neighbours thrive.

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Be part of the solution that grows the clean economy, helps communities flourish, and improves the quality of life in your region.

PROGRAMS

Communities

How can we create accessible communities that meet the needs of everyone from ages nine to ninety; are affordable for everyone to have a home, heat that home, and put food on the table; and will help Canada meet its climate goals of zero emissions by 2050?

Growth

How can every region across the country grow their local economy as the world moves to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions, and Canada adapts to a changing climate?

Our Work

Less is More: Where we Build 5.8 Million Homes Matters

November 13, 2023

There is a broad consensus that Canada is in the midst of a housing affordability crisis. The Canadian Mortgage and Housing Corporation has estimated that 5.8 million homes, nationally, need to be built by 2030 in order to address the housing affordability crisis. In Ontario, the provincial target is 1.5 million homes. As part of […]

Getting International Students To Stay and Work in Canada is at Odds with Our Policies

October 4, 2023

International students are an invaluable part of the prospective Canadian workforce that can help address the critical skilled labour shortages facing many Canadian industries, including construction, manufacturing, and agriculture. However, Canada’s current policies are at odds with the objective of having international students stay and work in Canada. If this is unaddressed, Canada will fail […]

Addressing Forestry’s Skilled Labour Shortage: Insights from Women Working in Forestry

September 19, 2023

Canada’s forestry sector is facing a labour shortage due to a wave of baby boomer retirements and little interest from younger generations to pursue a career in forestry. Despite the need for more workers, women still comprise only 17% of the sector in Canada. One study also found that women in forestry are rarely in […]

Working Together to Build 1.5 Million Homes

August 17, 2023

To keep up with an aging and growing population, it is projected that Ontario will need to build 1.5 million homes in the next ten years. Yet, Ontario has never built more than 850,000 homes in a ten-year period. Who is responsible for making this 1.5 million homes goal a reality, while making it happen […]

National Housing Accord: A Multi-Sector Approach to Ending Canada’s Housing Rental Crisis

August 15, 2023

Rents have been increasing rapidly in many parts of the country, primarily caused by a lack of accessible, climate-friendly, affordable, and market-rate purpose-built rental units to house a growing population. Increasing rents inflict the most significant harm on the lowest-income Canadians, including seniors, people on fixed incomes, single-parent led households, students, newcomers to Canada, and […]

We know Canada has a labour shortage. What should we do about it?

August 10, 2023

As Canada advances clean growth and climate action, tens (or even hundreds) of thousands of roles could be created in regions across the country. However, sectors are sounding the alarm about a challenge this growth could create: it may very well worsen labour shortages. This concern is valid. Without finding more skilled workers, increases in […]

READY FOR GREEN JOBS

June 20, 2023

Clean growth and climate action in Canada could create thousands of jobs in the next seven years. With a potential 300,000 jobs created, communities across the country have the opportunity to thrive while moving Canada towards meeting its climate targets. Yet, two challenges exist to realize this vision. Workers must have the required skills to […]

SKILLED WORKER SHORTAGES: WE NEED TO THINK BEYOND ‘BUILD IT AND THEY WILL COME’

June 7, 2023

Canada is experiencing a crisis in the skilled trades. Amid record-high job vacancies in sectors like manufacturing, alongside the number of Canadians nearing retirement outnumbering young people entering the working world, the demand for a new generation of skilled trades workers is soaring. Additionally, Canada has one of the most ambitious climate goals in the world. Over […]

CAN MASS TIMBER SOOTHE CANADA’S HOUSING WOES?

May 18, 2023

5.8 Million. That’s the number of new homes Canada needs to build by 2030 to ensure there’s affordable housing for everyone, as estimated by the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation. There are many challenges that need to be addressed to resolve the housing crisis. At PLACE, there are two that are top of mind as we […]

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