Strategic Missions & Advocacy
Message from Hope Parnham, Manager of Advocacy and Strategic Initiatives
Dear Colleagues,
It has been a very busy spring on the advocacy front, and I wanted to take a moment to share what the CSLA has been up to on your behalf.
The CSLA submitted formal responses to several federal consultations including Canada's Strategy to Protect Nature (A Force of Nature), the Draft 2026–2029 Federal Sustainable Development Strategy, and the 2026 Pre-Budget Consultations before the Standing Committee on Finance. We also raised concerns regarding the proposed expansion of Billy Bishop Airport and stressed the importance of a public consultation process which we are happy to hear is now being undertaken.
Advocacy is strongest when national and provincial voices work together. This spring, the CSLA has also supported the OALA in preparing responses to proposed provincial legislation changes. And we provided a letter of support to SALA in their ongoing effort to secure name act legislation.
Looking ahead, there are several files on my radar, including the recently released Federal AI Strategy, the soon to be released progress report on the National Adaptation Strategy, and we continue to monitor for future funding and partnership opportunities. None of this work happens in isolation. A sincere thank you to the dedicated CSLA volunteers who have contributed their time and expertise. Your engagement is what makes meaningful advocacy possible. As always, if you have questions or want to connect on any of these topics, please don't hesitate to reach out.
Hope Parnham
New Advocacy Resource! Making the Case: Landscape Architects as Infrastructure Leaders in Canada
This paper makes the case for landscape architects as essential leaders in Canada's infrastructure transformation. The brief examines how the profession addresses three interconnected federal priorities: housing, mobility, and climate defence.
Featuring Canadian case studies that demonstrate nature-based solutions, systems thinking, and human-centered design, the brief demonstrates how early involvement of landscape architects in policy and design delivers more livable, sustainable, and resilient communities.
Public Practice Survey
Are you a landscape architect working in the public sector or academia? We want to hear from you.
The CSLA's Public Practice Task Force is conducting a survey to better understand how the CSLA can support landscape architects working in public practice, including at all levels of government, with ENGOs, and in academia.
We also welcome responses from those who have landscape architecture education or experience but are not currently registered members — public sector employers do not always require registration, and your perspective matters to this work.
If you know colleagues, contacts, or classmates who work in public practice, please pass the link along.
Deadline: July 10, 2026
Have your say! Public consultation on the future of Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport
The CSLA recently raised concerns about the proposed expansion of Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport with the Prime Minister’s office, including issues relating to public consultation processes, Indigenous rights, and environmental impact assessment. Read the letter here.
We are very pleased to see that the Federal Government has decided to proceed with a public consultation process on this important development.
The Government of Canada wants to engage with the public on the future of Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport. This will help inform the Government of Canada on the priorities of Torontonians, Ontarians, and Canadians as it relates to any potential changes to the airport and Toronto’s waterfront.
Submit feedback by:
- Completing the anonymous online survey
- Emailing written feedback to airportspolicy-politiquedesaeroports@tc.gc.ca with the subject line: “Consultation – Future of Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport”
landADAPT
Exciting news! All 12 projects in the CSLA’s landADAPT Case Study Series are now live on the CSLA website!
The landADAPT Case Study Series showcases real-world examples of how Canadian landscape architects are responding to the urgent challenges of climate change. By contributing to climate resilience and adaptation, ecological restoration and long-term environmental health, these projects illustrate how landscape architecture helps to protect Canada's rich ecological heritage, reduce climate-related risks, and contribute to the design of healthier, sustainable communities.
Go to the Adaptation Case Study Series
Thank you to all those who attended one or more events in the landADAPT webinar series. Recordings of all 12 webinars are now available on the CSLA website, on YouTube and in the CSLA Resource Library. Catch up on the webinars you may have missed or share with colleagues who may be interested!
Justice, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Training
Earlier this year, the CSLA asked members about their experiences with justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion training. Thank you to the 338 members who responded!
Here is a snapshot of what we heard:
- The majority of members (84%) feel at least somewhat confident applying these principles in their work, but only 27% feel very confident, suggesting most see room to grow.
- 69% of respondents had taken justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion related training in the past three years, most often through employer programs or online courses.
- The top topics members want more of are inclusive and accessible design; Indigenous rights, duty to consult, and reconciliation; and community engagement.
- Members were clear that training should be grounded in landscape architecture practice, not generic justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion education.
Based on this feedback, the CSLA is planning a new justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion focused training series for the fall. We are committed to making programming free, accessible, and relevant to how landscape architects actually work.
If you have recommendations for programs, resources, or speakers, please reach out to Hope Parnham at advocacy@csla-aapc.ca.
CSLA News
2026 Recognition Award Recipients
The Canadian Society of Landscape Architects is pleased to announce the recipients of the 2026 Recognition Awards. The Recognition Awards honor the work and commitment of Canadians to the profession of landscape architecture.
This year's recipients are:
- Peter North, Teaching Award
- Glenn O'Connor, Schwabenbauer President's Award
- Malaka Ackaoui, Lifetime Achievement Award
- Margot Long, Lifetime Achievement Award
- Jeryn Mackey, Emerging Professionals Award
- The Atlantic Coastal Action Program (ACAP), Community Service Award
Tender Notice: Public Works and Government Services Canada
Public Works and Government Services Canada (PWGSC) is inviting consulting firms with Landscape Architecture expertise to submit proposals for Standing Offers. Learn more about the submission process at the page below.
2026 CSLA-APALA Congress Photo Gallery
Thank you to all who attended our annual Congress, which was held in Halifax from from June 4th-6th. Browse through photos capturing the event at the link below.
KEEP Program: Meet the Mentors
Looking for a mentor? Are you a Fellow interested in mentoring? KEEP is an informal mentorship program that aims to pair students, associates (interns), emerging practitioners, and mid-career professionals with Fellows.
Visit the page below to find out how to participate.
Current Volunteer Opportunities
Are you interested in volunteering and supporting the work of the CSLA? Our volunteers contribute to professional advocacy, government relations, and the advancement of issues of national relevance to our members. There are many ways to get involved:
- Roster of Climate and Biodiversity Champions
- Municipal Roundtable
Component News
AAPQ: Annual Conference and Call for Contributions for PAYSAGES 2027
Colloque 2026
October 15
AAPQ is pleased to announce that tickets are now on sale for its 2026 annual conference, which will be held on Thursday, October 15, 2026, at the Grand Quai du Port de Montréal. Under the theme “Landscapes and Economic Perspectives: Resources, Cycles, and Collaborations,” the event will bring together professionals in landscape architecture, urban planning, and land use planning for a day of presentations, discussions, and networking.
PAYSAGES 2027
AAPQ is launching a call for submissions for the 2027 issue of the journal PAYSAGES, which will be published next spring under the theme “Influence and Landscape.”
Important Dates:
- June 4, 2026: Online submission form opens
- August 24, 2026: Deadline for submitting proposals
- August 24–September 15, 2026: Editorial committee deliberations
- November 1, 2026: Submission of final manuscripts
LACF News
Summary of the Motions of the June, 2026, LACF Board Meeting
- Paul Marsala, OALA, CSLA, was appointed to the Finance Committee as an external advisor
- The revised Travel and Reimbursement Policy was approved as modified.
- The revised Donald Graham Grant was approved as presented.
- The revised Gunter Schoch Grant was approved as presented.
- The revised Committee Manual was approved as presented.
- The revised Policy Manual was approved as presented.
- The revised Board Manual was approved as presented.
- The CSLA-LACF Management Contract for 2027 was approved as presented.
LACF-Funded Research Report
Brendan teBrinke submitted a final report for the research project Decarbonizing Concrete. The project set out to undertake a holistic review of Class C2 concrete and aims to develop a set of tangible outcomes for Landscape Architects to specify low-carbon concrete, through speaking to to representatives across industries, agencies, academia, and practitioners to understand constraints, existing solutions and solutions in research and development.
Partner News
Waterfront Revitalization and Urban Renewal Conference
Toronto, ON
September 23-24, 2026
The Waterfront Revitalization and Urban Renewal Conference by Trueventus will take place in Toronto from 23rd - 24th September 2026 —the essential platform to explore innovative strategies that respond to the evolving needs of growing and emerging communities.
Gathering leaders from government, policy, local councils, urban planning, development, investment, and community organizations, this conference will showcase exclusive case studies and actionable insights to drive sustainable growth and overcome the complex challenges of modern urban renewal.
CSLA members get a 10% discount on registration.
IFLA: Call for Nominations for the New Board of Directors
This is the most consequential call IFLA has issued in a generation. The individuals appointed to the new Board of Directors will shape the governance, strategy, and direction of the global landscape architecture profession for years to come.
Deadline: 26 July, 23:59 (UTC -07:00 — Mountain Time [US & Canada])
PEERS webinar: The Netherlands - 30 years of nature based coastal adaptation
July 9th, 8:00 a.m. ET
The webinar will first give a perspective on Dutch coastal adaptation from a governance perspective. This introduction sets the context and highlights the specificities of a well consolidated multi-level process, before sharpening the focus on dunes and beaches.