The College of Fellows AGM in the fall of 2023 proved to be a pivotal event for the College. Led by co-chairs Paul Bedford (Toronto, Ontario) and Mark Holland (Victoria, B.C.), two long-term initiatives emerged: the “Digital Library of Canadian Planning,” and “Imagining Canada in 2100.” This statement refers to the latter.

A draft version of the attached report, “Canada in 2100: A Bold Vision for Planning’s Role in Achieving Sustainable Prosperity” was presented to the CIP Board by Paul Bedford in February, 2025. Part Three of the report sets out a series of recommendations from the College to move the Canada 2100 project forward.

The “bold vision” report is a condensed version of a longer, foundational paper prepared by members of the College, “Imagining Canada in 2100,” first circulated for discussion within the College in January, 2025 (link).

Both documents were prepared under the auspices of a steering group led by John Farrow, comprising Paul Bedford, Melanie Hare, Russell Mathew, Eric Turcotte and Glenn Miller. The content of the reports, however, is the product of 25 Fellows representing every region of Canada (supplemented by contributions from CIP members in places where Fellows were unavailable).

The impetus for the project stems from a recognition that decisions by senior orders of government on immigration and other critically important policies affecting the long-term future of our communities are made without significant input from the planning profession. A key purpose of the “Canada in 2100” initiative, therefore, is to facilitate CIP’s role in leading the profession to collaborate with government, business leaders and other key institutions making decisions that will shape Canada  economically, socially and environmentally for today’s generation and those that follow.

A strength of our profession is its broad-base and ability to accommodate a wide variety of perspectives; this is reflected in the breadth of viewpoints presented, and the deliberate focus – not on offering prescriptions – but to encourage our professional colleagues to think and act differently, longer-term – and with purpose.

On behalf of the Canada 2100 steering group: John Farrow, RPP, FCIP and Glenn Miller, FCIP