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Government of Canada Housing and Infrastructure Data and Research Conference
About
Join us for two days, from 8:50AM EST to 4PM EST on Wednesday, November 12 and Thursday, November 13 for this free, bilingual event.
This two-day event on data and analysis brings together policymakers, data experts, and practitioners from governments, private sector and academia to discuss the evolving role of data and research in informing housing and infrastructure policy. Through keynote speeches and panel discussions, the conference aims to foster collaboration, highlight innovative data practices, and identify future data needs to support evidence-based policy and decision-making.
The conference addresses the need for better data to guide housing and infrastructure decisions. It supports efforts to close data gaps, modernize practices, and foster collaboration across sectors to build affordable, resilient, inclusive communities.
If you have any additional questions, or for more information, please contact [[1]]
Agenda
Facilitators and Panelists
| Session: | 9:30AM - 10:30 AM: Realizing the vision: Supporting decision making through data sharing and modernization |
|---|---|
| Facilitator: | |
| Panelists: | Josée Bégin, Assistant Chief Statistician, Statistics Canada |
| Kevin Hughes, Deputy Chief Economist, Canadian Mortgage and Housing Corporation | |
| Session: | 11:00AM - 12:00 PM: Meeting the moment: Housing system data to meet housing needs |
|---|---|
| Facilitator: | |
| Panelists: | Jim Dunn, Associate Dean, Faculty of Social Sciences, McMaster University |
| Session: | 12:45PM - 1:45 PM: Measuring the production of Housing |
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| Facilitator: | |
| Panelists: | Aled ab lorwerth, Deputy Chief Economist, Canadian Mortgage and Housing Corporation |
| Tony Bonen, Executive Director of Economic Research, Conference Board of Canada | |
| Session: | 2:35PM - 3:45PM: Innovation and Housing Data: Promises, Practices, and Possibilites |
|---|---|
| Facilitator: | Jens von Bergmann, Housing Economics and Insights Scholar in Residence, Canadian Mortgage and Housing Corporation |
| Panelists: | Saeid Molladavoudi, Director, Centre for AI Research and Excellence, Statistics Canada |
| Session: | 9:30AM - 10:30AM: Infrastructure for Economically Resilient Communities |
|---|---|
| Facilitator: | Mary Rowe, CEO, Canadian Urban Institute |
| Panelists: | John McNally, Head of Research, Canada Instrastructure Bank |
| Andrew Ghattas, Director, Critical Minerals Centre of Excellence Policy and Economics Branch, Land and Minerals Sector, Natural Resources Canada | |
| Polina Hristeva, Director, Data and Digital Solutions, National Supply Chain Office, Transport Canada | |
| Session: | 11:00AM - 12:00PM: Infrastructure for Environmentally Resilient Communities |
|---|---|
| Facilitator: | Dr. Ursula Eicker, Concordia University |
| Panelists: | |
| Session: | 1:00PM - 2:00PM: Presentation on Housing, Infrastructure and Community Modernization |
|---|---|
| Facilitator: | Kate Burnett-Isaacs, Acting Chief Data Officer, Housing, Infrastructure and Communities Canada |
| Presenters: | Howard Ramos, Professor, Western University |
| Session: | 2:30PM - 3:30PM: Municipalities, Provinces and Territories: Forward-Looking Infrastructure Data |
|---|---|
| Facilitator: | |
| Panelists: | Scott Butler, Executive Director, Good Roads Association |
FAQ
Is there a cost to attend the event?
There is no cost to attend the event.
Will food and beverages be provided?
Yes. Lunch, snacks, and beverages will be provided during break times throughout the conference.
Is the event bilingual (English and French)?
Simultaneous interpretation between English and French will be available for all sessions, this includes all opening and closing remarks, presentations, keynotes, and panels. Participants are encouraged to speak in the official language of their choice.
How do I access simultaneous interpretation?
Virtual participants may access it by selecting the language channel for their preferred language before they join or at any time during the conference.
| 1 | Before you join (or during the conference), click Interpretation. 
|
| 2 | Select your preferred interpretation language or Original audio (floor), if you want to hear the audio without interpretation. |
| 3 | Click Join meeting.
If the original audio is in the same language as your preferred interpretation language and the interpreter stops speaking, after a few seconds, you hear the original audio. |
How do I access Real-time translation?
Each participant can select their own preferred caption language for translations. The preferred caption language can be chosen by selecting the “show closed captions” button 
at the bottom left of the screen once in the meeting. Then, simply select Caption language and choose the desired language.
How do I get to the conference venue?
The conference will be held at Statistics Canada in the Simon Goldberg Conference Room, R.H. Coats Building, 100 Tunney's Pasture Driveway, Ottawa.
Statistics Canada is an approximately 5-minute walk from OC Transpo's Tunney's Pasture station, which is served by many bus routes on the rapid transit network and by train on the OC Transpo Line 1 (Confederation Line). For more information, you may consult the OC Transpo website.
Is Parking available?
Visitors are permitted to park in areas designated by a sign that reads "Parking for Tunney's Pasture employees and visitors."
How do I pay for visitor parking at Tunney's Pasture?
Visitor parking is managed by Reef Parking and available throughout the Tunney's Pasture Complex. You can pay using payment kiosks near parking spots, or you can use the PayByPhone app on your personal phone. PayByPhone is available on the Blackberry App World, Google Play, and the iOS App Store. Instructions for all platforms can be found on PayByPhone's website.
Please consult the City of Ottawa parking website or Parkopedia for information on additional parking nearby. Since parking spaces in the area are limited, the use of public transit or carpooling is recommended.
What do I do when I arrive?
Upon arrival, please enter through the main entrance to the R.H Coats Building at 100 Tunney's Pasture Driveway. You will be greeted at the entrance and escorted down to the Simon Goldberg Conference Conference Room.
Presentations
| Session: | State of Infrastructure |
|---|---|
| Panelists: | Boafoa Kwamena (Municipal Lead, Ministry of Infrastructure, Ontario Public Service) |
Post-Conference Summary Report
A post-conference summary report will be circulated in the weeks following the conference, highlighting key findings, major talking points, and next steps.
