Municipalities are the most dynamic and innovative order of government in Canada. Being on the front lines of Canadians’ daily lives means that municipal leaders must be constantly responsive to new challenge and opportunities as they arise. That responsibility means we must constantly be learning and seeking new partnerships.
That’s why FCM is proud to present our newest webinar series: Collective. Through this series, we will bring to you in-depth conversations and discussions designed to connect you to the latest thinking around some of the most pressing challenges in Canadian municipal life.
These new connections—delivered alongside partners from the most cutting-edge leaders in the private sector—will help you re-examine your community’s needs and develop new solutions to stay ahead of the curve.
Join us as we present a moderated discussion with a wide array of panelists, and take your questions.
NEW WEBINAR
Advancing Transit Standards: A Collaborative Approach
Wednesday, March 26, 12 p.m. ET
Presented by Canadian Standards Association
Frequent and reliable public transit services are the lifeblood of economic growth in Canadian communities of all sizes and offer effective solutions for many of the challenges faced by Canadians. As our population continues to grow, expanding and maintaining transit systems across the country is an increasingly urgent priority.
The Canadian Standards Association (CSA) are joining FCM this month for a free webinar focusing on their work on transit standards and how those standards can support municipalities to enhance the efficiency, safety and sustainability of transit systems.
During the webinar, the CSA will discuss the current state of transit infrastructure, the challenges faced by municipalities and the innovative solutions being developed to address these issues. Topics of discussion will include:
- The role of CSA in developing and implementing transit standards
- Key challenges and opportunities in transit infrastructure projects
- The importance of accessibility and inclusivity in transit systems
- How standards can help improve the delivery of major transit and passenger rail projects
- Insights from recent research and case studies on transit standards
This webinar will provide municipal leaders, transit agencies, policymakers and industry professionals the opportunity to engage in meaningful discussions, share best practices, and explore collaborative solutions to improve transit systems across the country.
Panelists
Ana-Maria Tomlinson
Ana-Maria is the Director of Strategic and Cross Sector Programs within the Standards Division at CSA Group. In her role, Ana-Maria leads the implementation of new sector and cross-sector programs, focusing on establishing sustainable, impactful standards development initiatives that improve safety, health, the environment, and economic efficiency in Canada and beyond. She currently leads two standard development sectors: Transit and Passenger Rail, and Agriculture and Agrifood. Prior to her current role, Ana-Maria was a Manager of Strategic Initiatives at CSA Group, and successfully helped launch new standard development activities within climate change adaptation and resilience, natural and nature-based solutions, low carbon concrete, modular construction, building information modeling, and genomics. She coordinated impactful standards research activities, working with a broad range of academic institutions, government bodies and industry, nurtured relationships with key stakeholders, and established collaborations in key strategic areas.
Ana-Maria has been with CSA Group for 11 years. She holds a PhD in Chemical Engineering from the University of Edinburgh, and a Bachelor of Applied Science and Engineering from the University of Toronto.
Derek Hanson
Derek Hanson is the Vice President of Direx Solutions, a leading global adviser on investment and business strategy for transportation and logistics clients. He oversees a team of international specialists who hold expertise in rail infrastructure, transit and logistics, system design, alternative energy sources and operations who develop innovative, technical and commercial responses that support critical transportation challenges, including zero emission transport.
Derek brings direct operational experience to his role, having formerly been a fleet Director, where he led the organization’s battery electric and hydrogen programs. Derek oversaw the operations and deployment of a large fleet of battery electric buses and was the project lead for the Alberta Zero Emission Hydrogen Transit project, where the first hydrogen fueling station and hydrogen fuel cell buses were deployed into service in the Edmonton region. He holds direct experience in leading international and local, multi-modal clients in completing feasibility studies in the areas of rail expansion, energy transition, and the introduction of battery electric and hydrogen fuel cell vehicle technologies.
Derek is the Chair of the Canadian Standards Association (CSA) Strategic Steering Committee for Transit and Passenger Rail and was a technical advisor in developing the CSA codes and standards for hydrogen maintenance facilities (CSA B401.3). He has recently accepted the role as Chair of the Technical Committee for Climate Resilience in Transit and Passenger Rail.
Past webinars in this series
- District Heating and Cooling solutions for small communities
- Exploring residential wildfire resilience solutions
- Trials from the Trails
- Designing Destinations: Maximizing the Social, Cultural and Economic Impact of Tourism
- Creative collaboration for climate adaptation: Innovative models for community resilience
- How municipalities can get started with biogas & RNG projects
- Boosting the visitor economy, enriching communities and generating opportunities for all
- Cyber risks and municipalities
- From National Adaptation Strategy to local climate resilience
- Building the right workforce, with the right skills, right now
- Strength and innovation in rural Canada
- Creating Inclusive and Equitable Municipalities
- Main Street recovery—Reviving communities through data