This first-of-its-kind national gathering will bring together leaders and changemakers from across the sector—and from allied fields such as health, equity, and climate resilience—to deepen collaboration, strengthen alignment, and amplify our collective voice. 

The Summit builds on the momentum of two major milestones: nationwide consultations for the renewal of the Framework for Recreation in Canada—which engaged more than 2,500 voices—and the Canadian Inclusive Green Spaces Symposium held in Saskatoon earlier this year. It will convene leaders and practitioners to share the findings of the Framework consultations and begin building consensus around shared priorities. This is a moment we cannot afford to miss. The Summit is designed as a living experiment—trying out new approaches, sparking collaboration, and strengthening alignment as our sector takes its next step. It may not be perfect, but with openness, patience, and a willingness to learn together, we can make this an important turning point for the sector. 

Success will depend on all of us working together, with patience and openness, as we explore how a Collective Impact approach can best serve the future of recreation and parks in Canada. Together, we will reinforce a shared identity, elevate the sector’s voice on Parliament Hill, and spotlight recreation’s essential role in advancing public health, climate resilience, equity, inclusion, and Reconciliation—all while creating meaningful opportunities for networking, professional development, and contributing directly to a coordinated national advocacy effort. 

Most importantly, the Summit will be an opportunity to strengthen personal connections and set the stage for the next chapter of sector-wide collaboration. 

The Forward Together Summit is hosted by the Canadian Parks and Recreation Association (CPRA).

On the Day of Partnership (November 24), during the Framework session, there will be two opportunities to participate in breakout rooms. Please register for the breakout room you would like to join for each session using the links below.

All worksheets for the breakout discussions are also available on this page — both for those participating in the sessions and for anyone who isn’t able to attend a particular room but would still like to share their feedback.

Register for Breakout Rooms

Building the Collective Worksheet

Developing a Shared Agenda Worksheet

Mutually Reinforcing Activities Worksheet

We want to ensure you are prepared for this event. We know it can be a lot, and it’s easy to overlook the little things. To help, we’ve put together a packing checklist for your convenience: 

The Essentials: 

• Business casual and/or association-branded attire: For all official proceedings. 
• Government-issued photo ID: Required to participate in meetings on Parliament Hill. 
• Business cards: For meetings and the networking reception. 
• Refillable water bottle: To reduce waste, those who are able may want to bring a refillable water bottle.

If you have any questions, please be in touch anytime. We look forward to seeing you.