{"id":20998,"date":"2025-11-03T15:39:05","date_gmt":"2025-11-03T20:39:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/metropolisconference.ca\/?post_type=event&p=20998"},"modified":"2026-06-16T17:03:08","modified_gmt":"2026-06-16T21:03:08","slug":"the-9th-metropolis-identities-summit","status":"publish","type":"event","link":"https:\/\/metropolisconference.ca\/en\/event\/the-9th-metropolis-identities-summit\/","title":{"rendered":"The 9th Metropolis Identities Summit"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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The 9Th MEtropolis IDentities Conference<\/strong><\/mark><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

October 22 and 23, 2026
Sheraton Fallsview Hotel
Niagara Falls, Ontario<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Restoring Trust, Strengthening Relationships: Identity, Diversity, and Social Harmony in Canada<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Canada\u2019s identity is at a moment of uncertainty as converging challenges test long-held narratives and raise new questions about unity, trust, and harmony. Debates around separation in Quebec and Alberta, changing views on immigration, and reduced migration targets coexist with ongoing conversations about Indigenous identity affirmation and reconciliation, and discussions about the enduring role of francophone communities and institutions, reminding us that Canada\u2019s identity is not singular but evolving and often contested. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

In an international context marked by heightened geopolitical tensions and growing concerns about prejudice and hate, and language which struggles to keep up with the complexity of current realities, there is a growing need for vigilance, effective policy responses and renewed efforts to restore trust and strengthen relationships across communities. This summit will bring together scholars, policymakers, community leaders, journalists, educators, and practitioners to reflect on these developments and to explore how Canada can restore trust, strengthen relationships, and sustain social harmony in an era of demographic change, political tension, and evolving identity discourse.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The co-chairs<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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Elise Herzig<\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Elise Herzig is the Executive Director of JIAS (Jewish Immigrant Aid Services) Toronto, a settlement  agency that has been serving newcomers and refugees for over 100 years. In this role, Elise has  exponentially grown the agency\u2019s clients, programs, revenues, and partnerships. Prior to joining JIAS in  2019, Elise worked as a senior executive and consultant in the private and public sectors creating  transformational changes and helping organizations remain relevant and sustainable. Elise is a huge  advocate of creating trusted collaborations that resonate with the values of each stakeholder so that  new possibilities emerge. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Elise has a long-standing relationship with McMaster University. In 2016, she helped create and design  the McMaster Indigenous Research Institute to address the urgent need of creating a harmonized  approach that utilizes both Indigenous Knowledge and ways of knowing (IK) and mainstream research  practices and protocols. As Director of Commercial Operations for the McMaster Nuclear Reactor (MNR),  Elise spearheaded the turnaround of the reactor, which had been scheduled for shutdown. She made  MNR a financially viable operation that became the largest global supplier of Iodine-125 and increased  MNR\u2019s revenues 25-fold. Elise has worked in multiple fields, including five years in the energy sector as  CEO of the Ontario Energy Association. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Elise is the recipient of the King Charles III Coronation Medal and the National Metropolis Service  Provider Award (Non-Profit). She has a Bachelor of Commerce degree from McGill University and a  Master of Business Administration from the Schulich School of Business. <\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Ahmed Hussein<\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ahmed Hussein has served as the Chief Executive Officer of TNO \u2013 The Neighbourhood  Organization, a Toronto-based multi-service agency, since 2014. Under his visionary  leadership, TNO has grown from a modest team of 35 staff to an organization of over 300  employees, delivering a wide range of services across Ontario. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

With over 30 years of leadership in the community and settlement sector, Ahmed has been a  driving force in responding to the evolving needs of newcomers and communities across Canada.  He has played a critical role in the transformation of the settlement and community-based service  landscape, aligning programs and strategies with changing immigration policies and integration  frameworks. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ahmed\u2019s impact goes beyond Canada\u2019s borders. He has led the development of innovative  programs in regions across Africa and the Middle East, helping to build capacity in global  community service delivery. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is a respected voice in national and provincial settlement discourse, regularly contributing to  forums such as the Ontario Council of Agencies Serving Immigrants (OCASI), Immigration,  Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), and the Canadian Council for Refugees. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ahmed holds academic credentials in Public Policy from the Caledon Public Policy Institute and  a Master\u2019s degree in Infrastructure Planning (MIP) from the University of Stuttgart in Germany. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

One of Ahmed\u2019s signature accomplishments is his leadership in integrating social and health  services to improve access for newcomers through a \u201cone-stop\u201d model. This innovative approach  allows individuals to access settlement services, primary healthcare, and other supports all in one  place. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

He was also instrumental in the creation of the Thorncliffe Park Hub, a $25 million centre that  has become a cornerstone of newcomer support in the community. Ahmed successfully brought  together all levels of government and private donors to support the Hub\u2019s construction, making it  a model for collaborative service delivery in urban communities. <\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n\n\n

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Call For Proposals<\/mark><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

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The call for proposals is now closed. Thank you for your interest in this event.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n\n\n\n

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Registration<\/mark><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Please note that earlybird registration is available until July 31st.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

No refunds will be issued after October 1, 2026.<\/p>\n\n\n

[wctable]<\/p>\n<\/section>\n\n\n\n

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Book a Hotel Room<\/mark><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Sheraton Fallsview Hotel<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

5875 Falls Ave, Niagara Falls, ON L2G 3K7<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hotel guestrooms are available at the conference rate from $209 (plus applicable taxes) per night.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Use this link to book your hotel room at the group rate<\/a>* for Metropolis Identities Conference.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Please note that this special rate is available for bookings checking in as of October 20, 2026 and checking out no later than October 24, 2026.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The deadline to obtain the special conference rate is September 29, 2026. Limited rooms are available. Following September 29 the rate and\/or availability of rooms is no longer guaranteed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For further details about the hotel (the conference venue) , visit the Sheraton Fallsview Hotel\u2019s website<\/a>.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

*Note the message at the top of the landing page when you use our booking link which explains cancellation policy and warns about pricing display.
(When you browse rooms, the price displayed will include a Resort Fee. This will be deducted from your reservations costs at check-out as this fee is waived for group reservations.)<\/em> <\/p>\n<\/section>\n\n\n\n

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Travel information<\/mark><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Getting there<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Please note that this summit takes place in Niagara Falls, and that the Toronto Pearson airport (YYZ) is approximately 125 kilometres away. The John C. Munro Hamilton airport (YHM) is approximately 85 kilometres from the hotel in Niagara Falls.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


We recommend consulting the Toronto Pearson airport\u2019s website<\/span><\/a> or the Hamilton airport\u2019s website<\/span><\/a> to see the different options to get from Toronto to Niagara Falls.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Airline discounts<\/mark><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Air Canada<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

To book a flight at the conference\u2019s reduced rate, book your flight at aircanada.com<\/a> and enter the promotion code WDMJDD31<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The discount applies to flights to and from Toronto<\/strong> between Thursday, October 15, 2026 and Friday, October 30, 2026.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Discount rates:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

North America:<\/p>\n\n\n\n