2025 Housing Symposium: From Crisis to Commitment

To download a full PDF agenda with speaker bios and session descriptions, please click here.

A condensed Agenda Leaflet is also available for download.

In a world facing unprecedented crises—whether economic, political, social, or environmental—we are shifting the narrative from reaction to proactive transformation. Join us as we explore how the housing sector can adopt a forward-thinking mindset rooted in commitment, innovation, and sustainability! With dynamic keynote addresses, interactive panel discussions, and engaging speakers, this symposium offers a unique opportunity to explore groundbreaking solutions that can transform urban landscapes, boost affordability, and foster inclusive communities.

This conference is a call to action for change! Be inspired by leaders sharing innovative housing ideas, learn new sustainable building strategies, and participate in important discussions on policy, technology, and social responsibility. Tickets are still available for purchase on Eventbrite.

Agenda

8:00 – 8:30 am

Registration, Guild Hall Entrance

8:30 – 9:05 am.

Welcome, opening remarks, land acknowledgement, Guild Hall

9:10 – 10:00 am

Opening Keynote – Krissy Fry

10:00 – 10:20 am – Refreshment Break

10:25 – 11:25 am – Breakout Sessions

Speaker: Daniel Mowat-Rose – Guild Hall
Topic: The Groves at Hillsdale: an innovative approach to shared equity development – legal commentary and overview of progress to date 

Panel: Mark Kennedy, Kit Hickey and Ren Thomas – Commons Room 
Topic:  Mapping the Future of Community Housing

Speaker: Sarah Blades  – C-Room #1
Topic: Housing and Mental Health for Children, Youth and Families: Impact, Inclusion and Inspiration for Policy Improvement 

Naloxone Training – C-Room #2
Speaker: Megan Horochuk  

11:30 am – 12:40 pm – Lunch Break (Guild Hall & Commons Room)

12:45 – 1: 45 pm – Breakout Sessions

Speaker: Stephan Richard & Pat O’Neil  – Guild Hall
Topic: Unlocking growth: A new way to build investment readiness in community housing.  

Speaker: Katie Brousseau – Commons Room
Topic: Bridging Shelter and Systems: Legal Interpretations, Frontline Realities and the Long-Term Impacts of Homelessness  

Speaker: Charlene Gagnon  – C-Room #1
Topic: From friction to flow – Reimagining technology in housing service delivery 

Speaker: Hannah Main – C-Room #2
Topic: Tenancy Rights

1:50 – 2:00 pm

Speaker: Minister Colton Leblanc, Department of Growth & Development – Guild Hall

2:05 – 3:05 pm – Breakout Sessions

Panel: Trish McCourt, Nick Russell, Michael Kabalen, and Jason Brunt – Guild Hall
Moderator: Allison Ferris 
Topic: Build Canada Homes Initiative

Speakers: Erika Shea and Megan Peters  – Commons Room
Topic: From Shelter to Home: A Community-Led Housing Continuum in Cape Breton.  

Speaker: Ashley Legere  – C-Room #1
Topic: Rural Strategies for Ending Homelessness in Cumberland County.  

Panel Discussion: Nancy Baroni, Em Blanchet, Kay Spurr, Camila Bermudez, Shauna Brousseau  – C-Room #2
Topic: Service Coordination in Homelessness and the Critical Role of Data in Designing Effective Solutions

3:05 – 3:20 pm – Refreshment Break

3:25 – 4:20 

Closing Keynote Address – Guild Hall
Speaker: Michèle Biss 
Topic: How the legal foundations inform our commitments to more just and sustainable outcomes   

Harm Reduction Training  – C-Room #2
Speaker: Jo Parker and Landon Morton  

Special thanks to our sponsors!