The devastating impacts of COVID-19 have been most pronounced in Canada’s cities. As part of the Centre of Excellence on Canadian Federation’s Inaugural Essay series, Gabriel Eidelman writes about what it will take to recover: stronger political institutions linking all three levels of government, and, most importantly, a fundamental reimagining of the Canadian federation that acknowledges the importance of the country’s urban centres. A new intergovernmental infrastructure that enables policymakers to understand and respond to the needs of Canadian cities is required.
This essay addresses common misconceptions about Canadian cities, and lays out the case for a new infrastructure, focused on moving past the idea of municipal empowerment and focusing on creating an urban network that brings together actors from all levels of government in dialogue.
