Urban Nation: Why We Need to Give Power Back to the Cities to Make Canada Strong

In a thoughtful and provocative book Alan Broadbent looks at the two major forces that have shaped Canada, urbanization and immigration, and makes a clear case for creating cities as a powerful order of government. As a longtime proponent of a more central role for Canada’s cities, he argues that city-level government is the body citizens encounter most regularly and the one that most influences their lives. Yet cities are hamstrung by a lack of financial and governing clout with which to exercise any real control of their destinies. Urban Nation looks at American and European models, examines the now ubiquitous “New Deal for Cities” and shows how citizens and action groups are coming together for practical urban reform solutions. Urban Nation is an essential new book for all Canadians concerned about their cities – and their country’s future.

Published by HarperCollins, now available in trade paperback.

Available where books are sold, including www.amazon.ca and www.chapters.indigo.ca.