Foundation for a Path Forward Joins 2025 High Ground: Tipping Points
High Ground 2025, the twentieth edition of the annual civic governance forum, gathered elected officials, policymakers, and community leaders from across Canada to engage in transformative discussions on public safety, climate action, political polarization, digital hostility, and community resilience. Held from March 7-8 at the Coast Coal Harbour Hotel in Vancouver, the event brought together progressive mayors, councilors, regional directors, and school trustees to explore the theme Tipping Points: Navigating Turbulent Times—a deep dive into whether the current state of political, social, and environmental affairs is truly unraveling or if it simply feels that way.
The Foundation for a Path Forward played a critical role in shaping the dialogue on digital hostility and political safety, with Co-Founder Tariq Tyab leading the workshop Cyber Hostility and Political Figures: A Crisis in Mental Health and Equity. This session examined the increasing threats of online hate and harassment against public figures, exploring strategies for fostering a more resilient and inclusive political landscape. Other key speakers in this session included Ankita Goyal, Research and Communications Coordinator at the Centre for Civic Governance, and a range of experts working on issues of equity and digital safety. The discussion underscored the urgent need for structural interventions to safeguard politicians and civic leaders from the growing toxicity of digital spaces.
The forum opened with a territorial welcome delivered by Carleen Thomas, Acting Principal of the Tsleil-Waututh Nation, and Hermender Singh Kailley, Secretary-Treasurer of the BC Federation of Labour. This was followed by an insightful fireside chat featuring Brittny Anderson, Minister of State for Local Governments and Rural Communities, and George Anderson, Parliamentary Secretary for Transit, moderated by Jonathan Fowlie, Chief Member Impact and Experience Officer at Vancity.
Workshops throughout the forum provided an opportunity for in-depth discussions on policy and community-led solutions. In From Eco-Anxiety to Action: How Local Leaders Can Implement Meaningful Climate Solutions, Abbey Piazza from Youth Climate Corps BC and Ian Picketts from the District of Squamish tackled ways municipalities can address environmental challenges with practical solutions. The toxic drug crisis was another major focus, with Amanda Erickson, Cindy Lise, Daniel Snyder, Leslie Payne, and Michelle Staples offering insights into Leveraging Community-Municipal Partnerships to Respond to the Toxic Drug Crisis.
Day two featured discussions on equity and advocacy, including Coalition Building in the Energy Transition Era, with insights from Andrew Williamson, Janet Andrews, Jessica Mcilroy, and Rita Steele, and Being an Active Bystander: What To Do and When To Do It, led by Mary Trentadue, Nadine Nakagawa, and Trudi Goels. Another standout session, Housing as a Human Right, featured contributions from Amy Lubik, Bailey Waukey, Rowan Burdge, and Véronique Sioufi, who examined policy strategies to ensure secure housing for all.
A key focus of the conference was the role of women and gender minorities in leadership, with a dedicated session featuring Mary Trentadue, Nadine Nakagawa, and Trudi Goels sharing their experiences and strategies for overcoming systemic barriers in politics. These conversations reinforced the need for intentional policy changes to support women and marginalized communities in leadership roles.
The forum’s final plenary, Political Polarization, Division, and the Rise of Conspiracy in British Columbia, brought together Erin Blondeau from the Climate Emergency Unit, Evan Balgord from the Canadian Anti-Hate Network, and Kay Kearley from the BC Flying Squad Against Transphobia. Moderated by Susan Kim, Councillor for the City of Victoria, this session examined the rise of disinformation and radicalization in public discourse and governance, offering strategies for civic leaders to counteract these challenges.
High Ground 2025 reaffirmed its role as a crucial space for civic leaders to collaborate, exchange ideas, and build a more resilient and forward-thinking society. The participation of the Foundation for a Path Forward highlighted its commitment to tackling digital hate, strengthening public safety, and fostering inclusive governance. As municipalities across Canada grapple with increasingly complex challenges, the conversations and partnerships forged at this forum will be instrumental in shaping future policies and community resilience strategies.