Youth represent the ultimate litmus test for determining whether a city is experiencing truly inclusive growth, according to Jason Ribeiro, co-chairman and president of REAL Entertainment & Culture Inc. As one of three dozen community leaders contributing to a virtual think-tank established alongside the Postmedia Calgary project Countdown to 2 Million, Ribeiro emphasizes that urban development must benefit everyone, not just a privileged few.
The Challenge of Inclusive Ambition
"A rising tide lifts all boats," a phrase famously attributed to former U.S. President John F. Kennedy, serves as a crucial benchmark for cities at critical junctures. While creating dazzling ambition is relatively straightforward, cultivating ambition that ensures no one is left behind presents a far more complex challenge. Ribeiro contends that growth must elevate all community members, not merely select segments.
Calgary's Growth and Its Potential Pitfalls
Calgary is undeniably expanding, with new developments transforming its skyline, substantial investments flowing in, and economic diversification broadening its foundation. However, Ribeiro warns that unchecked growth can fracture opportunity, potentially creating what he describes as "a tale of two cities." This scenario would feature one city enjoying headline benefits and another where young people encounter diminishing opportunities.
Examining the Reflection of Our Future
When evaluating a city's trajectory, it is tempting to focus on positive indicators such as livability rankings and venture capital statistics. Yet Ribeiro stresses the importance of confronting less favorable realities: sports groups priced out of recreational spaces, students feeling unsafe on public transit like the CTrain, and neighborhoods surrounded by aging infrastructure that previous generations could access. Civic leaders must develop the capacity to acknowledge both achievements and shortcomings.
Youth as the Barometer of Inclusive Growth
Young people constitute the most transparent measure of inclusive growth. They represent the next generation of entrepreneurs, mentors, artists, and visionaries. If they perceive growth as "the worst of times"—characterized by escalating costs and limited pathways—they are likely to disengage or depart. Attracting, retaining, and empowering youth should therefore serve as the central metric of municipal success.
Pathways to a Youth-Optimistic Calgary
Ribeiro outlines several strategies for ensuring Calgary becomes a city of optimism for young residents:
Measurable Public Access Through Investment
Public investments must yield tangible public benefits. When tax dollars or incentives support projects, agreements should incorporate enforceable community-use hours and youth workforce pathways. This approach ensures that public assets generate concrete opportunities for the broader population rather than a select few.
Transparency and Accountability
Young people deserve clear answers and transparent reporting regarding how the city's growth considers their needs. Current data reveals concerning trends, including rising youth unemployment and nearly nation-leading income inequality rates, as reported by Vibrant Communities Calgary. Civic leaders must establish definitive policies and targets to address these issues, thereby rebuilding trust with the next generation.
Inclusive Governance Structures
Governance should expand participation. Major projects that reshape neighborhoods must include structured representation from community leaders, business representatives, and young people with genuine decision-making authority. Authentic shared ownership fosters enduring benefits and mitigates the risk that advantages accumulate in isolated pockets of the city.
Realizing Ambitious Growth
This comprehensive approach does not reject bold ambition; rather, it facilitates its realization. Ribeiro affirms that Calgary should pursue catalytic development and host global events, but ambition that excludes segments of the population can lead to superficial celebration and myth-making. The true measure of successful and sustainable growth is whether the city's reflection reveals more positive attributes and fewer deficiencies for young people across all neighborhoods.
