MWDigest (April 2017) - Municipal World's monthly digital digest by Municipal World

April 2017

TRANS CANADA

TRAIL

ALSO INSIDE ARE YOU

SMARTER? THE SURVEY RECONCILING

CANADA TOGETHER

YOUTH

PROGRAMS

PLUS: EDITORâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S FLASHBACK

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Inside the April 2017 issue of

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CONTENTS

APRIL 2017 volume 127, number 4

MUNICIPAL WORLD – CANADA’S MUNICIPAL MAGAZINE

CANADA’S

GIVING KIDS

GREAT TRAIL

HOPE 21

THE PUBLIC SERVICE

SCHOOL

BARGAIN 7 COFFEE POD

DILEMMA 11 ARE YOU

SMARTER? MICROTRANSIT

RECONCILING

CANADA

13 15 17

CLOSURES

PROPERTY

APPRAISERS

25 27

POWER OF

PLACE 29 WHEN

DISASTER

STRIKES 33

THE REGULARS COMING EVENTS

CONNECTING THE DOTS

EDITOR’S CORNER

ENVIRONMENTAL ZONE GOVERNANCE ZONE

MANAGEMENT ZONE

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MWDigest is a monthly digital publication, highlighting and supplementing content available to Municipal World magazine subscribers. For information on advertising and submitting content for this publication, please contact Anthony Gibbons at 1-888-368-6125 ext. 206.

INSIDE THIS ISSUE

APRIL 2017

Editor’s Corner Trans Canada Trail Celebrates Canada 150 As Canada prepares to celebrate its sesquicentennial, a new initiative to connect the country is near completion.

Are You Smarter? The Survey

Recent research in the municipal sector asked questions around whether or not employees were able to retain their intelligence in situations.

A Better, Brighter Future

Working to improve the lives of children not only helps those who are directly effected, but the community as a whole.

Valuing for the Future

Municipalities consistently face challenges relating to decision making around real estate

Online Exclusive! Editor’s Flashback This online-only feature column highlights select articles from past issues of Municipal World’s monthly print magazine. In this issue, we share “Parkland Prose – Connecting people and places” – by Robert Orland, from the April 2013 issue.

Coming Events

Susan M. Gardner Whether it’s biking to work, hiking on the weekend, taking an eco-vacation, or simply enjoy a relaxing stroll through the local forest, more and more people are choosing to leave the car in the garage and find ways to enjoy the beautiful natural assets that Canada is famous for. As part of the Canada 150 investments this year, there is

a major push underway to support our natural and built trails. In Kitchener, Ontario, for example, the federal government is investing $400,000 to help the city improve and extend the Huron Natural Area. Meanwhile, the University of Manitoba was just awarded $145,000 for extensive trail and landscape improvements. These are just two examples of the kinds of trail-related initiatives being undertaken across the country right now. Our feature article by Valerie Pringle (opposite) focuses on the Trans Canada Trail, and the key role of municipalities in its development and upkeep. Municipalities, of course, recognize the great value that trails bring to their communities. Beyond simply opportunities to explore and discover on foot, pathways to tourism and economic development, or tools to

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encourage greater physical fitness in the local population, trails offer a community so much more. On the larger scale, trails represent the best of community engagement and commitment – measured by the significant support they garner from governments, groups, and donors, plus the thousands of hours of volunteer time spent on building and maintaining them. It is because of this commitment – this cooperation – that trails can exist for all to enjoy. Indeed, Trans Canada Trail’s last annual report observed how “the trail has become a living symbol of national collaboration” – truly, the kind of national symbol we can all take pride in this year. As Valerie notes, no matter our age, our beliefs, or our passions, the trail really is a link that connects us all across this great land of ours.

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TRANS CANADA TRAIL celebrates Canada

150

Photo: Cedric and Magee

Local partners lead the way as the Great Trail works with municipalities to connect the country for Canada 150 This year, we celebrate the connection of the magnificent and iconic Trans Canada Trail – the Great Trail. Pathways have always defined this massive country of ours – from the historic trails of Indigenous Peoples and explorer routes, to railway tracks and endless blacktop. The last spike of the Canadian Pacific Railway is a significant moment in our collective history, and a road trip across Canada on the TransCanada Highway is a rite of passage. From the birch-bark canoes of this country’s first inhabitants, to trains, cars, and telecommunications, Canadians have found ways to overcome the distances that separate us. Now, we have a new way. The Great Trail is the longest and grandest recreational trail in the world. It spans 24,000 kilometres from coast to coast to coast, con-

necting 15,000 communities in every province and territory. The names of the trails that make up the Great Trail tell the story of Canada: the Confederation Trail, the Celtic Shores Coastal Trail, Sentier Gabrielle-Roy, Pinawa Trail, Banff Legacy Trail, the Galloping Goose Trail, and Klondike Trail. All the trails that comprise the Great Trail are locally owned and maintained. You can use your local trail – as I do in Niagara-on-the-Lake along the Niagara River Waterfront Trail – or, you can be very ambitious and keep going all the way to David Foster Way in Victoria, or to Cape Spear in Newfoundland, or Tuktoyaktuk on the Arctic Ocean. The possibilities are endless. You can walk, cycle, paddle, ski, horseback ride, or snowmobile on different parts of the trail depending on where you are. It is free and accessible.

Local Voices for a National Song Just as much as the Great Trail is an intrinsically Canadian endeavour and a national project, it is, at its core, a beautiful tapestry woven together by local communities. Canada’s municipalities, cities, and towns are leading the charge in the creation of this epic trail of trails. In fact, we have over 240 Champion Communities across the country,

VALERIE PRINGLE was one of Canada’s best known and most respected broadcasters, with a résumé that includes co-hosting CTV’s Canada AM for almost 10 years. Valerie has been working tirelessly as a volunteer for Trans Canada Trail (TCT) for the past 16 years and is cochair of the TCT Foundation.

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MWDIGEST

BC Stanley Park. Photo: Keith Levit

which are directly on or very near to the national trail route – communities that believe in its benefits for their constituents. We invite all mayors and reeves whose communities are traversed by the Great Trail to continue to join us. Trans Canada Trail (TCT) – the national not-for-profit organization – raises funds for trail development, collaborates in the planning of the route, and promotes the trail through marketing and communications efforts. But, our municipal partners are the key element in the actual trail building, as well as in enhancing and maintaining the Great Trail. Municipalities either undertake the work, or they engage local expertise, making the trail an economic driver during all stages of trail development and upkeep. TCT relies on our municipal partners to lead the way – recommending routes, assessing environmental impacts, securing permits, and building trails. These partners are instrumental in their efforts to recruit volunteers, put up signage, and (of course) maintain the Great Trail for future generations to enjoy. Our

combined efforts are the definition of a grassroots movement – one that caught on across an entire nation.

Something for Everyone One of the most striking features of the Great Trail is its diversity. Ramblers in one part of the country can discover a Hutterite colony, while others wander through a magical grove of aspen trees. You can find a stone church from the 1800s or a modern windmill farm. Hikers could spot bald eagles or a moose, while others marvel at the engineering that goes into a beaver dam. It’s hard not to be humbled. Who wouldn’t stand, jaw dropped, at the sight of the Bay of Fundy or the show-stopping colours of the Northern Lights. Alongside the social benefits of the trail, the unity and togetherness it provides, the rewards provided by the Great Trail are physical, mental, and spiritual. The Japanese have an expression, “forest bathing” to describe the necessity of spending time in nature.

 Keynotes – inspiring, informative & humorous  Regional Cooperation & Collaboration Initiatives  Governance and Leadership Education & Training  Community Assessment – finding hidden strengths

13ways.ca | 587.573.1313

MWDIGEST

April 2017

Indeed, a hike or a bike ride on the trail could boost your immune system, lower your blood pressure, reduce stress, and improve your mood. Exercise is widely recognized as a great way to increase your ability to focus, accelerate your recovery from illness, increase your energy, and improve your sleep. Simply put, “it does you good,” as previous generations liked to say. It would also seem to make you smarter … if we look into the meaning behind words. For the Klinchon people of the Northwest Territories, the words for “footprint” and “knowing” can be used as synonyms, and the root of the English verb “to learn” comes from an ancient word meaning “to follow a track.” I believe there is a special kind of contentment and self-knowledge that comes from contemplation in the outdoors. There is also a great Latin phrase “solvitur ambulando,” which means, “it is solved by walking.” The Great Trail lets us see our country at human speed, away from the daily distractions of contemporary culture.

We are blessed with a magnificent landscape. We want people to use the trail and treasure it. That’s why, by design, more than 80 percent of Canadians live within 30 minutes of the trail. 2017 and Beyond

on the trail, we are on the precipice of something truly historic – the culminaOur national trail gives us much to tion of a national effort that will imprint celebrate as the year of our country’s 2017 on our hearts forever. And, for all 150th birthday unfolds before us. For all Canadians, what better way is there to of us who have been tirelessly working

CHOOSE SAFER TO MAKE YOUR TRAILS

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MWDIGEST

April 2017

celebrate our country than on the Great Trail? The trail is the link that connects us all, no matter our age, our beliefs, or our passions, uniting us across this great land. This year, TCT is welcoming another important partner, the Hudson’s Bay Company (HBC), to plan a truly national event to celebrate Canada 150 and a connected Great Trail. HBC launched a major initiative called “The Grand Portage” to benefit Trans Canada Trail. This will include the sale of branded merchandise along with multiple events and activities. Supported by the HBC, groups will traverse the country on the Great Trail, celebrating Canada 150 with local communities along the trail. Leaving from the East and West coasts, our modern-day voyageurs will meet on August 26, 2017 for a double celebration to mark the 100 percent connection of the trail and the 150th anniversary of Canadian Confederation. It promises to be a party for the history books. We are blessed with a magnificent landscape. We want people to use the trail and treasure it. That’s why, by design, more than 80 percent of Canadians live within 30 minutes of the trail. TCT wants the Great Trail to be easily accessible, and it is with the dedication and collaboration of our cities and towns that such accessibility is possible for the second-largest country in the world. You can find the section of the trail that’s nearest to your home or office at <TheGreatTrail.ca>. It will get you one click closer to the rest of the country. And now, there is also a Great Trail app for your mobile device that will show you the section of the trail nearest you, with just the tap of your finger, so you can start exploring. Who knows what you might find there, including yourself? Follow the horizon, find your trail. MW

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Presented by Juice Inc.

Are You Smarter? THE SURVEY

In February, Municipal World partnered with Juice Inc. to conduct the Are You Smarter survey. This survey was interested in answering two research questions:

1. Do municipal workers lose access to their smarts around certain people, and if so, why? 2. For those who are able to retain their smarts around people, how do they do it?

A Bit of Context Last month’s issue of Municipal World explored one way we lose our smarts: exhaustion. If you are engaged but exhausted, dedicated but depleted, the first thing you lose is access to your executive function. This is one’s ability to focus attention, regulate emotions, connect the dots, and make smart decisions. A second way we lose our smarts: deprivation. When we feel deprived of our driving needs, a fear response is triggered and emergency ops thinking kicks in. Survival becomes our primal goal and our thinking becomes simplistic, extremist, and impulsive. We have polled many organizations over the past two years and our research has revealed that, on average, three out of every four people say, “Yes, I am smarter around some people than I am

are equally smart around all people around others.” Our work across (69 percent males/53 permany sectors has revealed cent females). And, the that peoples’ ability to older a man gets, access their intelthe more he feels ligence is highly R U Smarter? around this is true. 77 dependent some people than you are percent of on the bemen who haviours of around others? are 60 and those they older say interact their intelliwith. gence is not Yes, I am smarter around Results some people than I am dependent around others 11,000 on who they No, I am equally smart invites were interact with, around all people. sent out to whereas only partake in the 50 percent of survey. 1,194 young men (18people responded 25) make this claim. from municipalities Combining gender across Canada. We ended and age, intelligence beup with a broad range of ages, levcomes highly variable. 67 percent of els, roles, and tenures providing us a females (18-25) say they are smarter rich demographic from which we could draw insight. A brief of the results are provided below: BRADY WILSON has a vision: organizaOverall findings – Surprisingly, the tions that pulsate with innovative energy. As results were almost a direct inverse the Founder of Juice Inc., Brady functions as a of results we have found in the private human energy architect, working with leaders to build the conditions in which innovation, sector with 63 percent responding no value creation and unforgettable customer to the first research question and 37 experiences can flourish. He helps leaders percent responding yes. step into life’s grittiest tensions, inspiring Gender disparity – Males are them to create a sustained approach to positive change – and better business results. more likely than females to say they

63%

37%

April 2017

MWDIGEST

around some people than they are around others. There’s one interesting group of outliers. A whopping 83 percent of 26-34 year old men say they can access their smarts no matter who they’re dealing with. Elected officials vs. administration – 77 percent of mayors and council members say they keep their smarts no matter what, while only 58 percent of commissioners and CAOs say they can keep theirs. One could imagine occasions when passionate council members feel their smarts are incontestable, and pose complex questions to commissioners and CAOs. Municipal leaders caught in the political crosshairs may lose access to their smarts and struggle to produce a satisfactory response.

Additional Findings We asked people, “Why are you smarter around some people than you are around others?” Of the 442 people who say they lose their smarts around certain people. ►► 17% say the reason is hierarchy.

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April 2017

►► 11% say they feel criticized or judged. ►► 10% say they don’t feel acknowledged. ►► 9% say they don’t feel engaged in the topic. ►► 9% say they don’t feel people are interested in what they have to say. We then asked people, “If the people who make you feel smart get 100% of your best thinking, what percentage do people get when you feel less smart?” The average response was 60 percent. If one in three municipal workers feel unable to offer 40 percent of their best thinking, several notable things could be impacted, including safety, quality, innovation, valuecreation, and the customer experience. The great news is, two-thirds of municipal workers feel they can access their smarts around all people. The survey revealed four key ways people keep their smarts: ►► 57% said, “I’m confident in my intelligence.” ►► 18% said, “I am skillful at showing up.” ►► 14% said, “I don’t let others define me.”

►► 9% said, “I can regulate my emotions no matter who I’m dealing with.” It is important to note that some respondents answered the survey question by indicating that intelligence is an objective measure (i.e., IQ score). These responses indicate that people may have misinterpreted the intent of our question. The survey is really asking, “Are you able to access more of your smarts in the presence of some people than you are in the presence of others?” It is possible that if we had phrased the question in this manner, we would have seen different results.

Conclusion The results gathered from this survey can help to highlight barriers that municipal employers can work on with their employees to overcome not applying their full level of intelligence. Fuller analysis of the results of this survey, and important steps municipalities can take to get the most out of their employees, are available at <municipalworld.com/feature-stories/page. php?postid=384>. MW

by Clark Somerville

RECONCILING

CANADA TOGETHER Indigenous input required for Canada’s future

There are few words more powerful in Canada right now than “reconciliation.” There are also few words more challenging. Thanks to the work of people like Senator Murray Sinclair, the terrible injustices committed against First Nations, Inuit, and Métis peoples are a part of the Canadian consciousness like never before. Moving from awareness to action will be a long and difficult journey. But, in cities and communities across the country, municipal leaders have already begun to play a key leadership role. Working in partnership with Indigenous leaders and orga-

nizations, mayors and councils are learning from one of Canada’s darkest and most painful chapters to better ensure the rights and aspirations of this country’s growing Indigenous population. The results are stronger, more inclusive communities – and some critical first steps on the path to true national reconciliation.

Coast-to-Coast Efforts More than 60 percent of Indigenous people live in Canada’s municipalities. In cities like Vancouver, Winnipeg, and Halifax – and in smaller regional hubs like Sioux

Lookout in Northwest Ontario – the modern legacy of Canada’s Indian Residential Schools continues to play out in the form of disproportionately high Indigenous poverty rates, racism, violence, and intergenerational trauma. It’s simply not possible to build the kinds of communities we want – or the country we want – until we address the underlying causes of these persistent inequalities. CLARK SOMERVILLE is President of the Federation of Canadian Municipalities – Canada’s national voice for local governments. He is also a town and regional councillor in the Town of Halton Hills and Halton Region, Ontario.

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MWDIGEST

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As the impact of the TRC continues to resonate across the country, what’s become clear is that tearing down old divisions can have incredible benefits for both Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities. That’s why municipal leaders were so inspired by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC). The commission’s work has profoundly affected many mayors and councillors, sparking significant changes in how they understand the issues and relationships with First Nations, Inuit, and Métis peoples. This has led to a growing movement for reconciliation at the community level. From coast to coast to coast, municipal leaders have already begun to honour the TRC’s 94 Calls to Action, forging a new relationship with Indigenous peoples based on empathy, understanding, and respect. For example, the City of Winnipeg declared 2016 its “Year of Reconciliation” and created the Mayor’s Indigenous Advisory Circle to help build bridges between the city’s Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities. Winnipeg is home to the largest urban Indigenous population in the country. Cities like Calgary, Ottawa, and Montreal also have committees that are working to create a more meaningful role for Indigenous communities. The City of Edmonton has committed to train more than 10,000 city employees on the history and impact

of residential schools by next year. Not only that, Mayor Don Iveson now opens council meetings with a treaty acknowledgment. In both Toronto and Vancouver, city council has officially endorsed the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.

funding for local Indigenous organizations so they can provide timely, culturally-appropriate services. We also urged her government to invest significantly in affordable housing to tackle the disturbing rates of homelessness among Indigenous peoples living in cities. And, we asked that Advancing the Cause the minister ensure her government at a National Level takes into account the unique needs of Indigenous peoples living in smaller These are just some of the local communities – including rural and actions highlighted by the Federation of Canadian Municipalities in its northern areas. FCM welcomed the federal govPathways to Reconciliation. Released ernment’s announcement of a National last September, this guide outlines Inquiry into Missing and Murdered the concrete steps municipalities are Indigenous Women and Girls. This is taking to respond to the TRC’s historic Calls to Action – from fostering something municipal leaders called community alliances and recognizing for overwhelmingly at FCM’s Annual Conference in Edmonton two years Indigenous rights to improving the ago. Last year, at our conference in health and wellness of Indigenous Winnipeg, local leaders came together peoples. It’s an inspiring read and a once again to call on the federal govblueprint for further action. As the national voice for Canada’s ernment to declare September 30 as local governments, FCM continues to National Orange Shirt Day to honour residential school survivors, their make reconciliation a priority in our outreach to the federal government. In families, and communities. FCM’s board of directors has been very vocal September, I wrote to Carolyn Benas well in urging our federal partners nett, the Minister of Indigenous and Northern Affairs, to offer the munici- to implement the TRC’s Calls to Action. Municipal leaders across the pal perspective on her government’s country stand ready to work in partUrban Aboriginal Strategy. FCM nership to rebuild the nation-to-nation urged Minister Bennett to increase

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relationship as the heart of reconciliation. In fact, FCM’s Big City Mayors’ Caucus has established a reconciliation working group to help do just that. As the impact of the TRC continues to resonate across the country, what’s become clear is that tearing down old divisions can have incredible benefits for both Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities. FCM’s First Nations-Municipal Community Economic Development Initiative (CEDI) works with the Council for the Advancement of Native Development Officers to help municipalities and neighbouring First Nations create joint economic development and land management partnerships. These partnerships are creating jobs, improving services, and forging new community bonds. Nowhere is this more evident than in northern Manitoba, where the Town of The Pas, the Rural Municipality of Kelsey, and the Opaskwayak Cree Nation came together

MWDIGEST

April 2017

through CEDI three years ago to sign a Friendship Accord. Together, they’ve formed a tri-council to work in collaboration on common infrastructure and land use challenges. They’ve even launched a website to help attract new investments to the region. This growing relationship is a powerful example of reconciliation in action. The theme of collaboration is also central to another FCM initiative, the Community Infrastructure Partnership Project (CIPP). Funded by Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada, CIPP provides First Nation-municipal partnerships with the tools they need to tackle common challenges together. In December, six partnerships were chosen to jointly develop solid waste management service agreements that will encourage local sustainability.

A Change in Approach These steps unfolding in cities and communities are just the begin-

ning. National reconciliation, after all, isn’t just a series of actions – it’s a change in approach. At FCM, we’ve made important strides in convincing federal, provincial, and territorial governments that Canada is better off when municipal leaders have a seat at the decision-making table. What the TRC showed us is that the future of this country can no longer be shaped without Indigenous leaders at the table as well. True reconciliation will only occur at a four-cornered table, where everyone who calls Canada home can move forward together. After the TRC, it can no longer be business as usual. We need a new direction – one that involves an honest retelling of our history. One that embraces dignity, prosperity, and opportunity for Indigenous peoples and cultures. Municipal leaders will continue to do their part. Because only by shining a light on our dark past can we ensure a brighter future for all of Canada’s children. MW

Presented by Canadian Tire Jumpstart Charities

A Better, Brighter Future Le Club de L’Espoir gives kids hope and opportunities to chart a new path

Municipal World is partnering with Canadian Tire Jumpstart Charities to raise awareness about the program and the value it brings to communities, and to showcase the power of sport in effecting positive social change. Last month’s article, “Helping New Canadians Feel at Home,” explored how sport can be used to integrate new immigrants – particularly children – into the community. Previous articles examined other benefits, including better academic and behaviour outcomes, as well as positive opportunities for neglected populations. This fifth and final article looks at the power of sport to impact not only the lives of youth, but the community as a whole – using Le Club de L’Espoir, a program run by City of Montreal Police Service officers in St. Michel, Quebec, as an example. For kids, the opportunity to participate in sport is about more than getting active. Sports equip kids for life by fostering self-esteem, developing pro-social behaviours, and teaching them important skills like courage, confidence, and teamwork. For kids from high-risk neighbourhoods, sport can

be a catalyst for a change in trajectory toward success. That shift in trajectory can impact not only youth, but also bring about larger societal change to benefit the community as a whole. However, there are many well-defined barriers that exist to getting kids active and involved in physical activity and sport. The mandate of Canadian Tire Jumpstart Charities is to help remove some of those barriers. In recent years, Jumpstart has funded a unique and effective program in St. Michel, QC, the impact of which has benefited those enrolled, as well as the larger community.

lar programming results in restlessness and boredom, which often leads to anti-social behaviour, including aggression and bullying. Many financially-disadvantaged youth are at high risk for dropping out of school and joining local gangs because, unfortunately, gang life is often the only alternative to the realities of poverty and exclusion. Previous police efforts to fight and disband the gangs were unsuccessful; and, kids who ended up in prison typically came out tougher, due to contact with other criminals, perpetuating the problem for police and the community.

Case Study: St Michel’s Le Club de L’Espoir In the heart of Montreal is the community of St. Michel – the third poorest neighbourhood in Canada. With a population of just over 55,000, the community – made up of mostly lowincome apartment housing – has very little green space. Because of this, kids spend much of their summer vacation loitering in the street to escape non-air conditioned apartments; during the winter months, the lack of extracurricu-

LANDON FRENCH is President of Canadian Tire Jumpstart Charities <http://jumpstart. canadiantire.ca>, managing Canada’s largest portfolio of community partnerships, dedicated to removing financial barriers so kids across Canada have the opportunity to get off the sidelines and get into the game. Jumpstart’s core purpose is to enrich the lives of kids in need through sports and physical activity – assisting with the costs associated with registration, equipment and/or transportation, and helping kids explore a range of options by supporting over 70 different activities.

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The program has caused a paradigm shift: police officers in full uniform often attend the boxing classes to watch and support the kids. In 2011, the introduction of a new program offered positive opportunities for the community. After numerous unsuccessful attempts to rehabilitate youth and fight gang presence, the local police officers decided to take a different approach; instead of working against the gangs, they began to work with them. With the help of funding from Canadian Tire Jumpstart Charities, Montreal police officers at Station 30 implemented a program called Le Club de L’Espoir (The Hope Club), which offered soccer and basketball programs for local youth in community parks. The parks, which had previously been overrun by the gangs, were now host to games for the local kids. Since many of the gang members had younger siblings participating in the new program, they did not interfere during the activities. The parks quickly became much safer, and the success of the soccer and basketball programs led to the inception of the Contact Martial Arts Club. This provided dozens of youth with further options for physical activity in the community. Since the programs began, the streets of St. Michel are much safer. Although gangs still exist, they now work alongside police officers to ensure the activities continue for their siblings. Gangs are also having a harder time recruiting new members, because the sports programs are now a more attractive extra curricular alternative. The park, once a dark and dangerous place, is now a safe, welcoming recreational space with synthetic turf and stands where kids meet to play. Now, the police officers have the ability to encourage good behaviour. Prior to the club, many kids who acted out had nothing to lose, and were therefore hard to punish. However, that has changed. After a recent incident of bullying at the local elementary school, the police officer who was called to the school to assist, told the bullies that dealing with issues at school would cut into his availability to run the soccer program. In short, if the bullying didn’t stop, and the police officer was

continually called into the school, the soccer program would be cancelled. This was not a threat, it was simply the truth. And, it was a major incentive that worked. The bullies immediately ceased their bad behaviour to save the program, either for themselves or their younger siblings who were benefitting. The good behaviour extends beyond the walls of the school and into the community. For example, the Canadian Tire store in St. Michel had previously experienced serious and ongoing problems with theft; but, that has decreased dramatically since the program’s inception. According to police, the sentiment among the kids is to respect the store since the soccer, boxing, and summer camp programs wouldn’t exist without funding from Canadian Tire Jumpstart Charities. The success is evident for the individual children as well. Not only do they have a safe place to get active, but the activity is led by positive role models, whose presence no doubt changes the trajectory of their lives for good. Annie, a member of the kickboxing program for the past four years, is able to continue kickboxing outside of school thanks to Jumpstart funding; and, with the addition of two extra practices per week, she is now a brown belt. Beyond the obvious physical benefits, the program also helps foster transferrable skills such as leadership. Many of the kids from the soccer and boxing programs are employed at the summer camp, illustrating how kids who have positive role models can become positive role models themselves. Le Club de L’Espoir’s success is the result of multiple organizations coming together for the greater good. Jumpstart has provided the funding since 2011, and has invested nearly $125,000 to help more than 1,500 kids register. The police officers give a considerable amount of their own free time to coach and run the programs; the officers at Station 30 have completely bought into the idea, going so far as to get support from the union, and change shifts and vacations to accommodate practice times.

“Providing positive programs for youth in St. Michel has created major changes in the community, the schools, and, most importantly, the lives of the kids,” said Sergeant Aniello Infante. “Thanks to the hard-working officers who volunteer their time, and our partners who provide funding, these kids have access to positive role models and the opportunity to develop skills that will get them, and keep them, on the right path for life.” The program has caused a paradigm shift: police officers in full uniform often attend the boxing classes to watch and support the kids. These officers are no longer seen by the community as an imposing and intimidating presence, but as supportive coaches and mentors. The community is now a unified force for change thanks to the power of sport.

Conclusion As this and previous articles have shown, there is little doubt that sports can be used as a force for positive social change in the community. The impacts on the lives of children can be phenomenal – including the development of social and leadership skills, enhanced educational opportunities, improved community safety, a sense of belonging, and much more – and, such benefits last well into the future. As Plato said, “the moral value of exercise and sports far outweighs the physical value.” Investing in youth early can create a snowball effect of positive impacts that can last for generations. And, as shown, communities do not have to do it alone. Programs run successfully when multiple groups can invest time, resources, and expertise to help maximize success. Canadian Tire Jumpstart Charities has proven to be an organization dedicated to helping youth sport in communities across the country, with over 1.3 million kids impacted to date. By working with Community Partners going forward, the hope is that more children can overcome the barriers that are in place, allowing sports’ positive impacts to be felt by all.  April 2017

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Valuing for the Future An appraiser’s role within municipal government

Municipalities are consistently confronted with the important task of collecting all the appropriate information to make decisions about real estate. Whether it is to secure national or provincial infrastructure spending; to build, replace, or repair existing infrastructure; or ensure special projects are initiated effectively and efficiently, municipalities must undertake these complicated (and sometimes difficult) decisions to ensure prosperity for their citizens. Due to the importance of these decisions, it is vital that the right expertise and experience is engaged in the decisionmaking process. Real estate decisions should always be based on comprehensive research and analysis. This aptitude is found in designated appraisers, either on municipal staff, or outsourced from a reputable firm. Through municipal department initiatives, appraisers are called upon to ensure that real estate

projects succeed at both the residential and commercial level by promoting responsiveness, accountability, and transparency. In short, whether it’s urban planners, lawyers, engineers, senior managers, or other municipal staff, appraisers are used to assist the municipality in making decisions that affect where the residents live, work, play, learn, and shop. Below are examples of different areas of local government services in which appraisers can offer their expertise. Acquisitions and expropriations – Municipal acquisition and legal departments are constantly engaging valuation services from internal nonfee staff, as well as external fee-based appraisers, with regard to purchasing various real estate interests that are required for municipal purposes. These interests can involve portions of land or entire properties, vacant parcels, and improved sites. Examples include:

►► appraising a parcel of suburban development land for a future fire station; ►► estimating the value of above-grade and subterranean/underground lands for light rail transit expansion; ►► providing market value for the partial acquisition of an apartment complex that is adjacent to the city’s new arena site; and ►► conducting a study on the impact of road closures and how this will affect certain properties’ access and assigning a value to this impact.

DAN BREWER AACI, P. App is the 2016/17 President of the Appraisal Institute of Canada with over 38 years of property valuation experience in the private sector. He is currently a senior appraiser and consultant for Appraisers Canada Inc. with offices in Richmond Hill and Barrie. He is a licensed Real Estate Broker, a licensed Mortgage Broker, and he holds the Real Estate Institute of Canada’s CRP designation for Certified Reserve Fund Planners.

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Property taxes and assessment – Fee appraisers are often contracted by municipalities to do studies on cap rates and market trends. The results of these studies are considered when completing mass appraisal valuations. City-wide planning – Planners often use appraisers to obtain a market valuation of lands involving municipal reserves, land exchange, the purchase or sale of lands, or the subdivision/development of lands. Property management and leasing – A municipality can be either a landlord or a tenant. Whether a municipality leases out its own residential and commercial properties, or a municipal department requires space in a privately-owned commercial building, it needs to ensure that rental rates are within market levels. As a result, appraisers are asked to complete a market study of leases and rents, which assists the municipality in its negotiations. Further, appraisers also provide opinions of market rent on vacant city-owned lands (or portions thereof) that private business owners or citizens want to lease for their own use – for example, a portion of sidewalk space for a

RAW EXPERIENCES. REAL STORIES. RARE COURAGE. A compelling look at the biggest issues facing local governments, and what it takes to be the leader that your community needs – and deserves.

Available in paperback and ePub format.

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April 2017

restaurant to use as an outdoor patio in the summer. Feasibility studies – These valuation projects tend to be a collaboration involving various departments pertaining to a parcel of land or project. For example, when a municipality’s various leases for multiple office spaces expire, it may consider the possible efficiencies and sustainability of relocating everyone into a single building. Appraisers may be asked to conduct a feasibility analysis from a financial perspective on whether it is better to construct a new building, lease a different building, or lease an existing space. Forecasting – An appraiser may be tasked with anticipating the lease rates for various spaces that will arise within a given area. This information can then be used for special tax purpose consideration. Whenever there is a proposed change in lease rates, vacancies, or some other factor in the analysis, appraisers may be asked to verify or comment on whether the proposed change is reasonable, based on their expertise and market conditions/trends.

Other studies – An appraiser may be asked to estimate the market value of a property based on different development regulations within different hypothetical scenarios. What if it’s this zoning versus that zoning? What if the building density is increased? What is the effect on value and what is the best-case scenario for the city? An appraiser’s role within municipal government is to guide administration to make virtuous real estate decisions that add to the quality of life within a community at a price that is fair for all taxpayers. It is important that municipalities continue to rely on the expertise that appraisers give them. With municipalities placing a focus on promoting accountability and transparency throughout their operations, allowing appraisers to provide expert advice regarding real estate within a city ensures that an unbiased and unfettered decision can be made. In the end, proper valuation is the cornerstone to enabling a municipality to make sound and prosperous real estate decisions to serve its citizens. 

by Robert Orland st Dige ve usi Excl ure Feat

Parkland Prose

Connecting people and places

Natural parks provide unique places within communities where residents can appreciate nature, learn about biodiversity, and benefit from outdoor exercise and recreation. Given the important link between people and the long-term preservation of treasured natural areas, how can park managers enhance the visitor experience to encourage greater appreciation of local hiking trails and nature reserves? Can communication tools such as interpretive signage foster an enduring sense of responsibility and stewardship toward the natural areas that many residents enjoy and utilize year round.

and local initiatives. A series of attractive signs can convey a consistent message to many people at any time – they are in place at all times and available 24 hours a day. With a wellexecuted messaging plan, interpretive signs can promote stewardship by helping to guide or modify visitor behaviour to reduce visitor impacts to sensitive features and habitats (e.g., species at risk, sensitive ecosystems).

Delivering Your Message

A number of key factors will help produce beneficial signage that will deliver your message effectively. Learn from others by reviewing signage from other municipalities and Interpreting Landscape partner organizations. Identify the and Place attributes that attract you. When planIncorporating interpretive park sig- ning for a series of trail or landmark nage is an effective way for a munici- signs, follow the rule of “quality over quantity” by creating the minimum pality to forge a key communication number of signs needed to convey link with its area of service for the purpose of informing, educating, pro- your message. Too many signs detract moting, and even recruiting. Interpre- from their effectiveness and can clutter natural areas. tive signs present site-specific inforFurther, good design isn’t free, so mation into a theme or experience to help visitors feel part of a park’s story. it is essential that design and fabrication are undertaken by experienced A successful interpretive sign can professionals. Establish a realistic act as an eye-opener, making visitors budget that will cover all stages excited about something they hadn’t from design and installation to future noticed or thought about before. Trail signs and interpretive panels maintenance and programming (such as guided tours and onsite activities. at points of interest can encourage community engagement and generate Park signage is a long-term investment that reflects the values of your a sense of value that leads to repeat visitation, volunteerism, partnerships, municipality. A hasty or low-quality

approach can communicate a lack of commitment to the care and long-term conservation and stewardship of your parks and nature reserves.

Trailhead, Gateway and Point of Interest Signage Content for a trailhead or gateway sign can include: a park map; entrance identification; points of interest; facilities; recreation opportunities; visitor safety; permitted and prohibited uses; wildlife viewing and ecology; historic use; natural and cultural features; and associations/partners/funders. And, always include your logo and website. Maps should have an easy-to-spot “You Are Here” marker, a legend, and indicate the direction of North. Include surrounding areas and facilities for safety and wayfinding such as: parking; first-aid station; payphones; roadways and exits; garbage disposal; and park centres/information buildings. Describe trails and indicate dif-

Founder and president of Orland Conservation, ROBERT ORLAND is the author of an upcoming book on land securement. He can be reached at <robert.orland@ orlandconservation.ca>. Since 2003, Orland Conservation has been dedicated to creating legacies of conservation and sustainability.

This article was originally published in the April 2013 issue of Municipal World. April 2017

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ficulty level (e.g., beginner, intermediate), and always note areas that are steep or prone to flooding. To communicate descriptive content along trails and at significant points of interest, a series of thematic signs can be a very effective storytelling tool. Here, it is important to focus on a specific theme or message incorporating site highlights and history, or even fun scientific facts to ignite visitor curiosity or a “take home” message.

A Way with Words – and Pictures Signage content should generally be undertaken in the early stages of a signage project. Text should be drafted prior to the design stage, then reviewed and proofread repeatedly. Conduct thorough research on the site’s natural and cultural history. Visit local archives and acknowledge key individuals such as land donors, community members, or partners who

In 2017, Canadians will receive a legendary birthday gift.

This 24,000-km trail of trails will symbolize the common values that connect us all, and will provide Canada’s 150th anniversary of Confederation.

have played vital roles in protecting the natural features of a particular site. The writing style should be engaging, people-friendly, and positive. Use vivid language and active verbs, while maintaining brevity – don’t overload the reader with too much detail. Technical language should generally be avoided. Also be mindful of gender-specific language and clichés. Paragraphs should be kept short, and bullet points can help convey your points effectively. Most park visitors will view images first, then headlines, followed by body copy. Many visitors will only skim a sign for information of interest before continuing on their way, especially since they are there to walk and enjoy the outdoors. Content should also be written so that it will still be current in the future. Keep in mind that people may be reading the same sign in a decade. Avoid statements that may date the sign at some point in the future and confuse the reader. When considering how much space to reserve for text on your sign, consult with standard guidelines on font size to ensure readability at a standing distance. Images are essential for activating your signs with life and colour. Outdated, low-quality photos are no substitute for professional photography. Sharp, vibrant, high-resolution digital images are the best way to ensure a professional-looking result. Always include informative captions with all photos to provide extra educational opportunities (e.g., identify species). Avoid the use of poor quality clipart or staged stock photos. Photographs should be carefully selected for quality and sharpness, and should provide an effective focal point to instantly convey site highlights to your visitors.

Design and Installation