From July 8-10, 2025, the Canadian Institute of Planners (CIP) and the Ontario Professional Planners Institute (OPPI) hosted ACTION, the largest national planning conference in history, hosted in Toronto, ON. The event brought together thousands of professionals dedicated to shaping the future of Canada’s communities. Its success would not have been possible without the incredible support of our partners.
In this Q&A, we caught up with Katrin Saxty, David Capper, Dorjan Lecki, and Erika Burlon at Urban Systems, one of our valued partners and exhibitors, to learn more about their experience at the conference and their ongoing connection to the planning community.
Can you tell us a bit about your organization and your connection to the planning community?
Urban Systems is an interdisciplinary professional services firm with a broad planning practice spanning land use, community, and strategic planning, as well as policy and economic development, and bylaw updates for all levels of government, Indigenous communities, private development clients, and non-profit organizations. Urban Systems is one of the largest employers of community planners in Canada, ensuring that our team is front and centre of planning trends in all geographies and demographics. We are committed to supporting continuous professional growth and learning for our teams. We work collaboratively with our clients to address diverse planning needs and develop practical and locally informed solutions. Through this work, we aim to strengthen communities and contribute to the ongoing advancement of the planning profession across Western Canada.
What motivated you to become a partner at ACTION 2025?
At Urban Systems, we place a high value on building and sustaining long-term relationships within the planning community, and participating in conferences like ACTION 2025 enables us to support professional development while staying actively engaged with the planning profession. A key motivator for attending ACTION 2025 was to connect with and attract emerging professionals from the east coast. We’ve seen strong interest from applicants in this region, and the conference provided a great opportunity to interact with them in person. We were excited to highlight our commitment to hiring students and new graduates eager to build their careers, while also fostering new connections, sharing our expertise, and contributing to the continued growth of the planning profession.
What was your biggest takeaway from the conference?
We appreciated that the conference emphasized how important Indigenous communities are in the planning profession, with a growing focus on recognition, reconciliation, and building strong partnerships. There was excitement around new technologies like AI, which are helping us improve planning processes and tackle emerging challenges. One of the best parts of the conference was connecting with fellow planning professionals from across Canada and around the world, which reinforced just how valuable it is to engage with diverse perspectives.
How do you see your organization continuing to engage with the planning community after ACTION 2025?
We are excited to continue having an active role in the planning community by sharing the insights and lessons gained with our colleagues, clients, and on our projects. We’re always eager to build on the connections and knowledge we’ve developed through these experiences. ACTION 2025 offered valuable perspectives on how different communities are navigating unique challenges and successes, and we’re bringing those learnings forward to better support our clients and create meaningful impact in the communities we serve.
Is there anything else you’d like to share with CIP members?
We enjoy engaging with students and emerging professionals who bring energy and fresh perspectives to the planning community. Conferences like ACTION 2025 are especially valuable as they allow us to connect with a wide range of people, from local clients to new national and international peers. Meeting attendees from places like South Africa and New Zealand aids us in broadening our horizons and inspires new ways of thinking. One of our favourite moments was hosting our annual trivia event, which brought together participants at all stages of their careers for a fun night of music, planning trivia, and fierce competition!
About the Author
Founded in 1975, Urban Systems operates across Western Canada with offices in British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba, serving municipalities, Indigenous communities, and private sector clients. Our expertise spans a wide range of services, including community planning, civil engineering, environmental management, and much more. At Urban Systems, we’re known for our collaborative and interdisciplinary approach and for helping create sustainable, resilient, and vibrant communities.
Join Us as a Partner at FUSION 2026
CIP and OUQ are thrilled to host the next national planning conference, FUSION, in Montreal from July 7 to 9, 2026. FUSION is expected to bring together over 800 senior leaders, mid-career professionals, emerging planners, and students from across the country who are eager to engage and learn over the course of three days.
