IMFG

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Event - Measuring Impact: The Evolution of Federal Housing and Infrastructure Analysis

Director of Economics at Housing, Infrastructure and Communities Canada will explore how economic analysis related to federal housing and infrastructure policy has evolved.

www.eventbrite.ca/e/measuring-...

Rebana, Forum of Federations The State of Urbanization Scaling up the Metropolitan Model in Indonesia Images of panelists Register Now with qr code

Join IMFG Director Enid Slack as part of a Forum of Federations panel for an insightful discussion on the state of urbanization and how to scale up the metropolitan model in Indonesia.

February 24, 2026
10:00 PM EST
Online

Register now: docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...

Saint John woman facing $900 property tax increase as big industry bills decline | CBC News Emily Arsenault, a nurse and single mother, recently discovered her home will be facing a $900 property tax increase after she was excluded from New Brunswick's provincewide assessment freeze.

MFG Fellow Aaron Moore described an assessment freeze that didn’t apply to new homeowners as “undermining the principle of fairness” to CBC New Brunswick.

www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...

Calgary councillor says city can increase infrastructure spending to $5B without major tax hikes | CBC News Calgary's essential infrastructure has come under scrutiny after last December's Bearspaw south feeder main break, the second such catastrophic water main failure in 18 months. City administration say...

"'In Toronto, we have a 1.5 per cent increase in the levy every year for capital, and that's become something people have gotten used to,' she said."

IMFG Director Enid Slack commented to CBC Calgary on ways Canadian municipalities can pay for infrastructure.

www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...

We’re proud to have produced this substantial expansion and update of our overview of municipal law in all 10 provinces and 3 territories in Canada. We draw some original and potentially contrarian conclusions. We hope this contributes to the ongoing debate about municipal authority and its limits.

Today, 4 p.m. ET: There’s still time to register for today’s info session about Leading Urban Change, our exec ed program on driving equitable urban transformation at local, regional, national levels. Have any inkling but need to know more? Ask the program leads anything calendly.com/school-of-ci...

Power and Purpose: The Quiet Evolution of Canadian Municipal Law By Zack Taylor, Craig Mutter, Joseph Lyons, and Alec Dobson Over the past four decades, the role of municipalities in Canada has evolved significantly. This paper provides an accessible and systematic overview of municipal authority and responsibilities across all ten provinces and three territories. The authors find that while the general trend has been toward more permissive authority and the recognition of municipalities as democratic and accountable governments, significant variation persists in both law and practice across - and within - provinces and territories. Read the full report: https://bit.ly/4pOu9kL Key Takeaways: 1. Provinces and territories increasingly recognize municipalities as accountable, democratic governments in law. 2. Municipal grants of authority are increasingly expansive and permissive, significantly broadening the scope of municipal action and discretion. 3. The courts have increasingly demonstrated a generous interpretation of municipalities’ permissive authority. 4. The governance landscape is becoming increasingly complex, the costs and benefits of which are unclear. 5. The trend toward municipal empowerment co-exists with provincial intervention. 6. Fiscal innovation has lagged legal innovation, increasing the risk of insufficient resources and unfunded mandates. Logos for IMFG, University of Toronto, School of Cities

6/ This second edition of a 2020 IMFG paper provides an accessible and systematic comparative overview of municipal authority and responsibilities across all ten provinces and three territories, concluding with key trends and suggested research agenda. bit.ly/4pOu9kL

This broadening of local legislative scope and discretion has far-reaching implications, potentially enabling municipalities to enter new policy fields while unlocking local policy innovation. - Zack Taylor, Craig Mutter, Joseph Lyons, and Alec Dobson Power and Purpose: The Quiet Evolution of Canadian Municipal Law Logos of IMFG, School of Cities, and University of Toronto

5/ While the general trend has been toward more permissive authority and the recognition of municipalities as democratic and accountable governments, significant variation persists in both law and practice across - and within - provinces and territories. bit.ly/4pOu9kL

Local governments have more authority and the capacity to exercise it than ever before, yet unilateral provincial government intervention in municipal affairs continues. - Zack Taylor, Craig Mutter, Joseph Lyons, and Alec Dobson Power and Purpose: The Quiet Evolution of Canadian Municipal Law Logos of IMFG, School of Cities, and University of Toronto

4 / Major trends in Canadian municipal law include local empowerment, provincial policy centralization, and judicial deference to local legislation. bit.ly/4pOu9kL

The question of whether the configuration of the provincial- and territorial-municipal relationship reflects contemporary values and meets current needs is perennial. Zack Taylor, Craig Mutter, Joseph Lyons, and Alec Dobson Power and Purpose: The Quiet Evolution of Canadian Municipal Law Logos of IMFG, School of Cities, and University of Toronto

3/ Defining the relationship between a province or territory and its municipalities is a central task of local government law. bit.ly/4pOu9kL

With these changes [in municipal law], Canadian municipalities became defined in law as accountable, democratic governments with broad, flexible powers and greater discretion to exercise them. Zack Taylor, Craig Mutter, Joseph Lyons, and Alec Dobson Power and Purpose: The Quiet Evolution of Canadian Municipal Law Logos of IMFG, School of Cities, and University of Toronto

2/ Provincial and territorial governments have expanded the scope of municipal legal authority through revisions to general municipal legislation and the adoption of special statutes for major cities. bit.ly/4pOu9kL

Logos of IMFG, School of Cities, and University of Toronto Power and Purpose: The Quiet Evolution of Canadian Municipal Law Second Edition Zack Taylor, Craig Mutter, Joseph Lyons, and Alec Dobson IMFG Papers on Municipal Finance and Governance No. 74 2026

1/ Over the past four decades, Canadian municipal law and the role of municipalities have evolved significantly. @bigcitypolitics.bsky.social bit.ly/4pOu9kL

Un budget municipal « électoraliste » à Toronto? Après deux augmentations salées de l'impôt foncier en 2 ans, la hausse prévue est de 2,2 % cette année. La mairesse Olivia Chow met l'accent sur l'abordabilité.

IMFG Director Enid Slack comments on how Toronto mayor Olivia Chow's budget represents a compromise.

ici.radio-canada.ca/nouvelle/221...

I am excited to renew my association with the University of Toronto as I begin a six month visiting fellowship at the @uoftcities.bsky.social and the @imfgtoronto.bsky.social. I look forward to connecting with colleagues old and new, and getting lots of work done.

Less than half of 'strong mayors' were using powers before Ontario expanded system: reports | CBC News Less than half of the province’s “strong mayors” were using their controversial powers in the months ahead of a sweeping expansion of the system to 170 additional communities, according to estimates b...

"What is to stop a mayor from firing the zamboni driver at the local rink if they don't do a good job of cleaning up the ice there?”

IMFG Faculty Fellow Gabriel Eidelman reflects on the use of ‘strong mayor’ powers in Ontario since March 31, 2025.

www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...

Maintaining and Renewing the Social Housing Stock: Canada in a Comparative Perspective Speaker: Collin Bernard, 2025-2026 Richard M. Bird Post-Doctoral Fellow, IMFG Moderator: Kohbod Khandan-Barani. Manager, Programs and Research, IMFG December 8, 2025 @imfgtoronto #IMFGTalks Logos for IMFG, University of Toronto, School of Cities

Miss our sold-out talk on "Maintaining and Renewing the Social Housing Stock: Canada in a Comparative Perspective"?

View the slides: imfg.org/research/doc...

Man standing beside stage with two chairs and a screen with an image of Toronto's City Hall.

Did you miss IMFG's 13th Annual Toronto City Manager's Address with Paul Johnson?

Watch the video: imfg.org/research/doc...

IMFG: Institute on Municipal Finance and Governance Join our mailing list to receive the latest news of IMFG's events, papers, and updates. Logos: IMFG, University of Toronto, School of Cities

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The Governance of Homeless Encampments in Canada Alexandra Flynn and Estair Van Wagner IMFG Papers on Municipal Finance and Governance No. 73 • 2025

Institute on Municipal Finance and Gover... 1,829 followers 1d • Edited • O New paper: The Governance of Homeless Encampments in Canada New IMG report identifies homeless encampments as an urgent human rights crisis and highlights how adopting new encampment strategies based on human rights will achieve a more dignified and efficient public outcome. The proliferation of homeless encampments in cities across Canada represents both a housing and a governance crisis. Municipal governments are being called upon to respond to a deeply complex issue within a legal, political, and fiscal environment that often constrains their options. Public discourse frequently frames homeless encampments as threats to public safety rather than the result of systemic failings, and this restrictive context often leads to municipal responses that are punitive and costly. In a new paper for the Institute on Municipal Finance and Governance (IMFG), Alexandra Flynn and Estair Van Wagner describe the legislative context of municipal encampment governance in Canada and examine various court decisions related to encampments. The authors discuss how municipalities have traditionally used public space regulations to respond to the crisis, identify barriers to improving encampment strategies, and highlight how rights-based approaches can produce outcomes that are more dignified and efficient than the status quo. https://Inkd.in/gKbk-AeH #homelessness #encampments #unhoused #municipalities #localgovernment #localgov #cities #charter #humanrights

Cc: @bikehfxlobby.bsky.social

The Governance of Homeless Encampments in Canada
Alexandra Flynn and Estair Van Wagner

@imfgtoronto.bsky.social @uoftcities.bsky.social

imfg.org/research/doc/

The Governance of Homeless Encampments in Canada The proliferation of homeless encampments in cities across Canada represents both a housing and a governance emergency, resulting in a human rights crisis. This paper describes the legislative context of municipal encampment governance in Canada and examines various court decisions related to encampments. The authors discuss traditional municipal responses to the crisis (including encampment removal), identify barriers to improving encampment strategies, and highlight how rights-based responses can produce outcomes that are more dignified and efficient than the status quo. By Alexandra Flynn and Estair Van Wagner Read the full report: Bit.ly Opportunities for reform: Implement a human rights framework to proactively align municipal policies and practices with human rights norms. Institutionalize human rights within local governance via independent oversight bodies or human rights impact assessments of proposed encampment responses. Pursue new intergovernmental partnerships that clarify roles, establish long-term funding, and enable coordinated planning. Shift public funds toward more effective and cost-efficient responses, such as supportive housing models. Reframe homelessness as a systemic failing rather than an individual choice to foster the political support needed to pursue long-term solutions. Partner with Indigenous governments, organizations, and service providers to develop culturally appropriate housing and shelter options. Logos: IMFG, University of Toronto, School of Cities

7/ Homeless encampments are a human rights crisis, and an opportunity for municipalities to catalyze change by aligning their approaches with human rights principles and investing in the conditions that make housing stability possible. bit.ly/3Xl1hEX

… by aligning municipal enforcement policies with provincial commitments to housing and health care, governments can create pathways out of encampments rather than simply displacing encampment residents. Alexandra Flynn and Estair Van Wagner The Governance of Homeless Encampments in Canada Logos for IMFG, University of Toronto, School of Cities

6/ While cities are often on the front lines of the crisis managing parks, bylaws, and temporary shelters, they lack the revenue tools to independently fund and implement long-term housing solutions for unhoused people. bit.ly/3Xl1hEX

In practice, many punitive encampment strategies are more expensive than rights-based alternatives due to the cost of repeated encampment evictions, legal challenges, and emergency responses. Alexandra Flynn and Estair Van Wagner The Governance of Homeless Encampments in Canada Logos for IMFG, University of Toronto, School of Cities

5/ One of the key barriers to the adoption of human rights approaches is the persistent belief that they are inefficient, expensive, or permissive. bit.ly/3Xl1hEX

Courts have affirmed that shelter beds must be accessible, appropriate, and voluntary to meet constitutional standards. Alexandra Flynn and Estair Van Wagner The Governance of Homeless Encampments in Canada Logos for IMFG, University of Toronto, School of Cities

4/ The legal landscape continues to evolve, and recent court decisions have largely reinforced the limits of municipal authority to displace encampments in the absence of adequate alternatives. bit.ly/3Xl1hEX

…[recent] cases have affirmed that, in the absence of accessible shelter or housing, enforcement of anti-camping bylaws can violate section 7 of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, which guarantees the right to life, liberty, and security of the person. Alexandra Flynn and Estair Van Wagner The Governance of Homeless Encampments in Canada Logos for IMFG, University of Toronto, School of Cities

3/ Although the Charter does not contain a right to housing, courts have interpreted the Charter to provide minimum legal protections for unhoused people. bit.ly/3Xl1hEX

Most municipalities remain caught in a reactive cycle – torn between political pressures to clear public spaces and recognition that punitive approaches are expensive and potentially unlawful, and do not solve the problem of homelessness. Alexandra Flynn and Estair Van Wagner The Governance of Homeless Encampments in Canada Logos for IMFG, University of Toronto, School of Cities

2/ The regulation of homeless encampments represents one of the most complex and contested areas of municipal governance in Canada today. bit.ly/3Xl1hEX

Cities rely on their status as property owners to assert the authority to remove unhoused residents and their belongings, often invoking trespass laws and engaging law enforcement to carry out evictions. Alexandra Flynn and Estair Van Wagner The Governance of Homeless Encampments in Canada Logos for IMFG, University of Toronto, School of Cities

1/ The proliferation of homeless encampments in cities across Canada represents both a housing and a governance crisis. New IMFG report highlights how emerging human rights approaches can better address the issue. bit.ly/3Xl1hEX

Logos for IMFG, University of Toronto, School of Cities The Governance of Homeless Encampments in Canada Alexandra Flynn and Estair Van Wagner IMFG Papers on Municipal Finance and Governance No. 73, 2025

New IMFG report identifies homeless encampments as an urgent human rights crisis and highlights how adopting new encampment strategies based on human rights will achieve a more dignified and efficient public outcome.

bit.ly/3Xl1hEX

✍️ Check out our latest blog, co-authored with the ACTG, that sums up the key findings from a diagnostic assessment of #PropertyTax potential in 3 Nigerian states!

🔗 logri.org/2025/11/prop...

Want to learn more? Read the policy brief on Kaduna State: logri.org/publication/...

13th Annual Toronto City Manager's Address Image of a man in a suit Feeding Focus and Starving Distraction: Focusing on Priorities to Deliver on Torontonians' Investment November 18 at 4:30 pm Logos of IMFG, University of Toronto, School of Cities

Still time to register for this afternoon's livestream of IMFG's 13th Annual Toronto City Manager's Address!

Paul Johnson will speak on "Feeding Focus and Starving Distraction: Focusing on Priorities to Deliver on Torontonians' Investment."

www.eventbrite.ca/e/livestream...

Tall brown buildings line a river with trees and boats below.

In-person event: Maintaining and Renewing the Social Housing Stock: Canada in Comparison.

On Dec. 8, Dr. Collin Bernard will draw on international cases to examine how different systems govern and fund the maintenance and renovation of their social housing stock.

www.eventbrite.ca/e/maintainin...