Speaker: Claire Basinski RPP, MCIP, OPPI Chair
Claire Basinski RPP, MCIP: Hello, wonderful planning colleagues. My name is Claire Basinski and it's my genuine pleasure to serve as the Chair of the Ontario Professional Planners Institute. Today, I'm thrilled to extend a warm invitation to each of you to join us in Toronto for the 2025 National Planning Conference. This marks our continued collaboration and partnership with the Canadian Institute of Planners and a relationship that we value deeply. This collaboration exemplifies our shared commitment to advancing the profession of planning, fostering innovation and addressing the critical issues facing our communities today and in the future. We truly and eagerly anticipate welcoming you to Toronto in July of next year in the heart of one of Canada's and the world's most vibrant, livable, and lively cities. While it is a first class city, Toronto and the surrounding areas are also challenged by mounting climate, growth, development and equity issues. We're excited to invite you to explore a place which truly demonstrates firsthand the key role of planners in the way we plan design, build and adapt spaces and places for people to live, work, and play all in the public interest and to maximize quality of life both now and in the future. The 2025 conference will be centred around action and will delve into the key themes that resonate with you in the planning profession. We will continue the strong tradition of providing planners from across the country with a forum for sharing knowledge, exchanging ideas, and forging lasting connections that will drive the future of planning in Canada and beyond. Your participation will not only enrich the conference experience but will also contribute to the collective advancement of our profession as we continue to be challenged by and find solutions for major societal issues including housing, affordability, healthy community design, climate resilience, and equity. Thank you so much. We look forward to seeing you in Toronto and have a wonderful rest of your time at the conference this year.
