Canadian Urban Leader

The School of Cities is thrilled to announce our new Visiting Experts for 2023. Today, Rebecca Alty (Mayor of Yellowknife) and Chris Murray (former Toronto City Manager) join the School as Canadian Urban Leaders and Don Iveson (former Mayor of Edmonton) renews his position as a Canadian Urban Leader for a second year.

Meet our 2023 Canadian Urban Leaders:

Canadian Urban Leaders are prominent global influencers who have served in official capacity in government or the public service (municipal, provincial, national and inter-governmental organizations) and managed a portfolio with significant urban focus. They are nominated by a current member of the School of Cities community and, following the nomination process, nominations are reviewed by the Appointments Committee. 

Canadian Urban Leaders have the opportunity to contribute to the School of Cities community in the following ways:

  • Propose and lead programs, events and activities; 
  • Sit on the School of Cities External Advisory Board;
  • Contribute to the publications and knowledge products of the School of Cities; 
  • Work, meet and host on University of Toronto campus;
  • Attend events, roundtables, seminars, and symposia organized by the School of Cities;
  • Serve as a spokesperson for media and public speaking opportunities;
  • Provide mentorship to junior faculty, students and Early Career Urban Leaders;
  • Engage with students, staff, and faculty and receive support for research, capacity-building, outreach, event coordination and communications.

Meet our 2022 Canadian Urban Leaders
Nominations for the Canadian Urban Leader program are currently closed  

Nomination Process 

Please complete and submit the nomination form. All nominations must be submitted electronically with uploads in the requested format (.pdf).  

Supporting Documentation Needed To Nominate

Please ensure you have the following requisite documentation available in digital format prior to beginning the nomination process. Please note we only accept uploads in .PDF form. Once you have compiled the required documentation, please fill out the Canadian Urban Leader Nomination Form including: 

  • A statement (maximum 500 words) indicating why the nominee is an ideal candidate for Canadian Urban Leader; 
  • A curriculum vitae, no more than 3 pages, including:
    • Record of service in government or the public service (municipal, provincial, national and inter-governmental organizations);
    • Portfolio with significant urban focus;
    • Experience and commitment to community engagement; 
    • Demonstration of influence and prominence on a national or global scale;
  • A brief outline (maximum 500 words), of proposed project focus and/or interest aligned with the School of Cities’ mission;
  • Name and contact information of nominee and nominator.

Frequently Asked Questions

Additional questions? Contact us at outreach.sofc@utoronto.ca  

Candidates are nominated by a current member of the School of Cities community. Following the nomination process, they are reviewed by the Appointments Committee, comprised of members of the School of Cities Leadership Team, Advisory Council, former Canadian Urban Leader(s) and chaired by the Director.

 All appointments will be for a one-year term, with the possibility of renewal.

Nominations are due December 14, 2022, with decisions to be announced in early 2023.

Please ensure you have all of the requisite documentation available in digital format prior to beginning the nomination process. Please note we only accept documents in .PDF form. 

  • A personal statement (maximum 500 words) describing why the nominee is an ideal candidate for Canadian Urban Leader; 
  • A curriculum vitae, no more than 3 pages, including:
    • Record of service in government or the public service (municipal, provincial, national and inter-governmental organizations);
    • Portfolio with significant urban focus;
    • Experience and commitment to community engagement; 
    • Demonstration of influence and prominence on a national or global scale;
  • A brief outline (maximum 500 words), of proposed project focus and/or interest aligned with the School of Cities’ mission;
  • Name and contact information of nominee and nominator.
Candidates for Canadian Urban Leader must be nominated by a member of the School of Cities community and have:
  • Served in official capacity in government or the public service (municipal, provincial, national and inter-governmental organizations); 
  • Managed a portfolio with significant urban focus; 
  • Demonstrated track record and commitment to community engagement;
  • A clear project focus aligned with the School of Cities’ mission;
  • Influence and/or prominence on a national or global scale.
Nominators should consider the eligibility criteria for Urbanist-In-Residence and decide which designation best suits the person(s) they wish to nominate. Nominators should proceed to nominate in the category that best fits the experience and proposed project focus of the nominee.
We encourage nominations from current members of the School of Cities community including Faculty Affiliates, students, staff and community partners. If you fit this description, and the eligibility criteria, you may self-nominate.
Funding of up to $15,000 CAD is available to cover expenses. Funding must be used for research, speaking-engagement and conference travel or travel to engage in activities at the University of Toronto. 
 Nominees must be former elected officials or senior members of the public service in Canadian municipal, provincial, federal or multilateral governance.
 All appointments will be for a one-year term.
Please email outreach.sofc@utoronto.ca with any questions or requests.