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Kickoff recap · Civic welcome · 1:05 p.m.

Abundance has to be shared. Resilience has to be built on purpose. Both depend on the choices made now.

Alan Ho opened the Canada2080 kickoff with a welcome about 2080: a future of abundance and resilience. Soaring technology, cleaner energy, longer lives, and thriving communities are a picture. They are not a promise.

The work, as he set it out, starts in four places.

  • Protect water, parks, and climate.
  • Plan housing and transit for every generation.
  • Take up innovation, and still safeguard dignity.
  • Strengthen local food, health, and social connection.

Resilience, in his definition, is more than surviving a shock. It is adapting, recovering, and growing together. Abundance is more than having more. It is enough opportunity, and enough hope, for everyone.

He pictured Markham, and places beyond it, where seniors are supported, young people can afford to stay, newcomers belong, and neighbourhoods stay green and safe. That takes courage, collaboration, and a longer view than the next political cycle.

Imagine boldly. Plan wisely. Act together.

Full Transcript

Cleaned up transcripts.

Well, good afternoon everyone, and welcome. My name is Alan Ho, York Regional Councillor for the City of Markham. I'm also the Chair of Markham's Culture and Economic Development Committee. It is my great, great pleasure to be here today with you all, and today it is an honour to open this important conversation about 2080: a future of abundance and resilience.

When we imagine 2080, we may picture soaring technology, cleaner energy, longer lives, and thriving communities. That future is not guaranteed. Abundance must be shared and resilience must be built deliberately.

It begins with choices we make today: protecting our water, parks, and climate; planning housing and transit for all generations; embracing innovation while safeguarding dignity; and strengthening local food, health, and social connection.

Resilience is not only surviving shocks. It is adapting, recovering, and growing together. Abundance is not only having more. It is ensuring everyone has enough opportunity and hope.

In the City of Markham and beyond, we can create a future where seniors are supported, young people can afford to stay, newcomers belong, and neighbourhoods are green and safe.

That future demands courage, collaboration, and long-term thinking. So let us move beyond short-term politics and build lasting prosperity. Let us imagine boldly, plan wisely, and act together.

Thank you for being part of this journey towards 2080: a future of abundance and resilience for all. Thank you very much.

At the kickoff

  • Alan Ho at the podium. The slide behind him is the civic welcome. Opening the civic welcome.
  • Francis Wang and Alan Ho hold a framed City of Markham proclamation. With Francis Wang and the City of Markham proclamation.
  • Alan Ho signs the Canada2080 kickoff banner. Signing the kickoff banner.
  • Alan Ho with speakers and guests holding the Canada2080 kickoff banner. With speakers and guests, and the kickoff banner.
  • The kickoff group, including Alan Ho, holding the signed banner. The room, with the banner.