Working Together to Advance Equitable Green Infrastructure
The benefits of green infrastructure are well established. Green Communities Canada (GCC) has been demonstrating these benefits through pilot and small-scale local projects for years. The challenge is to scale up this work beyond pilot projects. Communities across Canada must collaborate to advance green infrastructure if it is to become mainstream.
The Leading Living Cities Training Program addresses these challenges by:
- Building local capacity to advance equitable green infrastructure;
- Fostering collaboration between local governments and community-based organizations; and,
- Providing processes, tools, and strategies to integrate green infrastructure solutions across departments and planning.
2026 Training Series
Embedding Equity in Green Infrastructure Projects
Green Communities Canada and the Centre d’écologie urbaine are excited to launch our new 2026 online training series, Leading Living Cities: Embedding Equity in Green Infrastructure Projects. This training program consists of 7 online group sessions taking place from April to October 2026.
The program is designed for municipal and Indigenous government staff, as well as ENGOs working alongside local governments. Participants will be introduced to proven tools and methodologies for equitably engaging communities in green infrastructure project planning, design, and implementation.
Meet Our 2025 Leading Living Cities Participants
GCC was pleased to co-lead the 2025 Leading Living Cities (LLC) Training Program with the Centre d’écologie urbaine. Delivered in both English and French, the program brought together 9 municipalities and Indigenous governments, as well as community partners from across Canada to advance equitable green infrastructure planning.
Municipalities:
- Halifax Regional Municipality – Nova Scotia
- Ville de Sainte-Brigitte-de-Laval – Québec
- Ville de Marieville – Québec
- Ville de Baie-D’Urfé – Québec
- City of Peterborough – Ontario
- City of Guelph – Ontario
- Town of Lincoln – Ontario
Indigenous Governments:
- Mohawks of Kahnawà:ke – Québec
- Otipemisiwak Métis Government – Alberta
Local Environmental Non-governmental Organizations:
- Coastal Action – Nova Scotia
- l’Organisme de bassins versants Charlevoix-Montmorency (OBVCM) – Québec
- Conseil régional de l’environnement de la Montérégie (CRE Montérégie) – Québec
- Groupe de recommandations et d’actions pour un meilleur environnement (Le GRAME) – Québec
- GreenUP – Ontario
- Reep Green Solutions – Ontario
- Land Care Niagara – Ontario
What happens in the Leading Living Cities Training Program?
Participants in the program apply Green Communities Canada’s Pathways to Living Cities Framework. The LLC Training Program guides participants through a structured process that:
- evaluates existing local green infrastructure policies and programs;
- sets strategic short, medium, and long-term goals towards becoming a Living City; and
- achieves the outcome of developing a local policy pathway for their community
LLC Training Program participants receive:
- updated templates and planning resources;
- local climate equity mapping support through The Canadian Urban Environmental Health Research Consortium (CANUE);
- facilitated trainings and peer supports; and,
- access to GCC’s brand-new Mobilize Your Living City asynchronous online course.
Funders & Supporters
This project is carried out with funding from the Federation of Canadian Municipalities’ Green Municipal Fund, the Government of Canada, and Definity Financial Corporation.
Past Living Cities Projects
Between 2021 and 2023, Green Communities Canada partnered with local environmental organizations (ENGOs) in five communities across the country to pilot a process for building local Living Cities Policy Pathways.
Each community developed a customized Living Cities Policy Pathway outlining the policies, programs, and partnerships that could accelerate green infrastructure in their context. Click each partner’s name below to read their local pathway report! We would like to thank the ENGOs who participated in this pilot project, and who contributed to developing their communities’ pathways.
A Pathway for London to Become a Living City
How London can accelerate equitable, abundant, and thriving green infrastructure.
Get the report here
A Pathway for Hamilton to Become a Living City
How Hamilton can accelerate equitable, abundant, and thriving green infrastructure.
Get the report here
A Pathway for Saint John to Become a Living City
How Saint John can accelerate equitable, abundant, and thriving green infrastructure.
Get the report here
A Pathway for Lethbridge to Become a Living City
How Lethbridge can accelerate equitable, abundant, and thriving green infrastructure.
Get the report here
A Pathway for Dieppe to Become a Living City
How Dieppe can accelerate equitable, abundant, and thriving green infrastructure.
Get the report here
Living Cities Stories
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Continue ReadingGreen Infrastructure Resources
Check out these and other resources from our 15+ years of work in green infrastructure.