The first step in saving Canada’s ailing downtowns: Tap into the power of pedestrians and make streets more welcoming: @globeandmail editorial theglobeandmail.com/opinion/… via @BrentToderian

Half of business owners on this #Toronto street estimated that more than 25% of their customers arrived by car. In fact, it was 4%. And the % for those who walked or cycled? 72%. Retailers routinely overestimate the # of “car customers.” Via @carltonreid forbes.com/sites/carltonreid…

Avenue du Mont-Royal is one of the major Montréal streets that is 'pedestrianized' for the summer. Do you the merchants are complaining about #CarFreeStreets? mtl.org/en/experience/steppi… via @MTL_Ville @BrentToderian

Montreal's pedestrian streets - in just three years, there are now 11 of them! - are coveted by the Buisness community and touted by the Tourism Board. No one wants to live in or visit a city that is choked with traffic, causing annoyance, air and noise pollution. But a city rapidly transforming with spaces for walking and linger and cycling? That is a place to go, a place to be. And a much better place to live. Density isn't our problem, Toronto. Cars are our problem. We need more places for people.

Lucas Goltz, Downtown's coordinator of the navigator outreach program, is employed by the downtown business associations to work closely with the unhoused population in downtown Halifax and provide them with the support they need. He brings a lot of experience and empathy from his time working with the unhoused in Victoria, BC. Downtown Halifax is lucky to have him. If you ever see him near one of the encampments, buy him a coffee. This man has seen things, and cares deeply about his work.

Toronto, Montreal and Vancouver should do this. Cleaner air, less traffic, revenue for transit, better city life.