Main Streets in the City

This week Beyond the Headlines has partnered with the Munk School’s Urban Policy Lab to discuss the importance of main street support and recovery during the global pandemic. The COVID-19 virus has seriously impacted the small business sector, however, even prior to the pandemic main streets were already struggling to adapt to technological advancements that have changed the face of retail by shifting customers from brick and mortar shops to online stores. Small businesses employ a majority of the private sector labour force in Canada, and generate almost half of the nation's GDP, making them an essential part of our recovery process as we mitigate the effects of the pandemic.

Ariana Holt is Senior Planner at Canadian Urban Institute (CUI) and is the Director of the Bring Back Main Street project.

Dr. Jason Spicer is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Geography and Planning at the University of Toronto. He has a Masters degree in City Planning and a PhD in Political Economy, both from Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Some of his areas of research include urban, regional, and community economic development.

Brad Bradford is a Toronto City Councillor. Councillor Bradford represents Ward 19, Beaches-East York, and was elected in 2018 as one of the youngest members of Council. He holds a Masters degree in Urban Planning from the University of Waterloo, and worked in Toronto’s Chief Planner’s Office prior to becoming a Councillor.

Produced by:

Sara Szot - Graduate Fellow, Urban Policy Lab

Stephanie Bertolo - Graduate Fellow, Urban Policy Lab

Madison Leisk - Graduate Fellow, Urban Policy Lab

Erin Christensen - Executive Producer, Beyond the Headlines

Music:

“Heart of the City” by the Arkells

“We are the Tide” by Blind Pilot