Owen Sound’s Harmony Centre to Host National Conference on Small Community Solutions
Join the Small Communities Solutions Conference on March 29 to explore real solutions for local challenges. Open to the public; register by March 26.
Owen Sound’s Harmony Centre is bringing together experts from across the country for a one-day conference focused on tackling some of the most pressing challenges facing small communities today. Open to the public, the Small Communities Solutions Conference will take place on March 29, starting at 8:30 a.m. at Harmony Centre. Advance registration is required.
According to conference organizer and Harmony Centre board member Leigh Greaves, the event will showcase a variety of solutions to common community challenges, presented by leaders and innovators with first-hand experience implementing them.
Harmony Centre itself was created 13 years ago in response to the need for a space to host a soup kitchen in Owen Sound, making it a fitting venue for this gathering of forward-thinking community members and problem solvers.
Small Communities Solutions Conference: Event Details
📅 Date: Sunday, March 29
🕢 Time: 8:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
📍 Location: Harmony Centre Owen Sound, 890 4th Ave E, Owen Sound
💲 Cost: $50 per person (reduced fees available for those facing financial barriers)
🔗 Register online: https://harmonycentre.ca/scsc
📅 Registration closes: March 26
📧 More information: info@harmonycentre.ca
“There are a lot of thoughtful and ingenious projects happening locally and nationally that we can all draw inspiration from,” Greaves said. “This conference will highlight practical, effective solutions being implemented in Grey-Bruce right now, while also sharing proven approaches from other communities for issues that remain unsolved. It will be a day of creativity, connection, and hope.”
The speaker lineup includes:
Gwen Patrick from The Shorefast Institute in Fogo Island, NL;
Lori Pyne from Helping Hands in Squamish, BC;
Grey County CAO Kim Wingrove;
Owen Sound Police Chief Craig Ambrose;
Representatives from the Community Foundation Grey Bruce, the Institute of Southern Georgian Bay, and Owen Sound’s Safe ’N Sound.
A full list of speakers will be available on Harmony Centre’s website later this month.
“The Small Communities Solutions Conference presents a rare opportunity for experts and concerned citizens to hear directly from front-line specialists who will share their successes in addressing issues such as food insecurity, affordable and emergency housing, public safety, mental health services, and basic income,” said Greaves. “It will be an exciting forum featuring a diverse array of ideas, inspiring case studies, and pathways to meaningful change.”
Jeff Elie, Chair of the Board of Directors at Harmony Centre, emphasized that the conference is an example of a grassroots effort to explore new approaches to social issues and strengthen those that have already proven effective.
“Our steering committee is made up of a talented group of social service experts, activists, and municipal leaders, so it’s no surprise that the program reflects both the relevance and urgency of the issues facing small communities,” Elie said.
“This conference is especially timely, as small-town and rural communities seek ways to remain viable in a rapidly changing world—balancing tradition with progress and tackling unique local challenges head-on,” he added.