2024 Annual Report

Dani Fenn is completing their Master’s in City Planning at the University of Manitoba. They are a Red River Metis Citizen with the two-spirit local. While they didn’t grow up with Indigenous ways of knowing, Indigenous design principles and worldviews now inform their perspectives and processes especially as they build community and kinship connections. Dani has a background is Fine Arts and came to Planning with an interest in social change, citizen empowerment, and Indigenous Planning. Dani is inspired by Ted Jojolo’s approach to planning in recognizing that “every person is beautiful.” They understand this to mean that people themselves don’t need to be changed but rather supported and uplifted through systems change. They believe it is necessary to de-centre oneself when working with communities and listen with care and compassion.

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"Receiving this bursary not only empowers me in my scholarly pursuits but it helps me gain skills to bring and share with my family, community, and maybe one day the nation."

My name is Dezmond Coyes-Loiselle and I was born, grew up, and continue to live in central Edmonton, Alberta. I come from a large Métis family on my dad’s side, and an equally large French family on my mom’s side. My ancestors on my dad’s side lived off the land northwest of Edmonton—Lac St Anne and later Big Lake—for generations before me, leading to my dad growing up in the same area before moving into the city. Living here, I’ve always had an appreciation for cities and an interest in many aspects of their form. I am currently in my fourth year of a BA in Planning at the University of Alberta where my passion for planning continues to grow. Some of my main interests include the planner's role in ending the housing crisis, all things active transportation, and the decolonization of the planning practice. In my free time, I love playing sports, looking at maps, travelling, eating food, playing guitar, and riding my bike.

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"Being selected as a recipient of this bursary is an incredible honour, and it encourages me to keep working hard. I am very grateful for the opportunities that both the bursary and the National Conference may lead to in my academic and professional journey!"

I’m a student at Dalhousie University, pursuing a double major with Honours in Urban Planning and Sustainability, alongside a certificate in Geographic Information Science. Since moving to Halifax eight years ago, I’ve been a community volunteer with a background in climate action, project management, creative placemaking, real estate, and public speaking. As an artist, the concept of creative placemaking—using art to connect people with their surroundings—truly resonates with me. As Chair of Halifax Regional Municipality's Youth Advisory Committee, I help Regional Council evaluate municipal policies and services impacting youth with my team, focusing on inclusion, mental health, and climate action. I aspire to dedicate my career to meaningful public engagement and culturally sensitive planning, driven by the belief that effective planning can mitigate historical injustices and create more inclusive and resilient communities. Pursuing a career in planning has shown me that societies are capable of positive change by balancing organic growth and order.

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"Receiving this bursary is such an honour. It means a great deal to me, acknowledging my journey as a first-generation university student and woman of colour in urban planning. This support empowers me to further my commitment to creating inclusive and equitable communities through my studies and future career."

I am a fourth-year planning student with a specialization in urban design, at the University of Waterloo. My current passion stem from sustainable development, climate action, internationalism, and multiculturalism. Recently, I have been delving deeper into the importance of mental health awareness, in the coop job I am currently employed at. I love to cook, read, dance and I am an avid fanatic of musical theatre. I also love learning languages. I can speak English and French, and I am learning Spanish and Mandarin Chinese. In fact, I have recently been preparing to go on my first exchange to Taiwan, in the fall of 2025! My greatest dream is to continue travelling the world, exploring different cultures, learning different languages and interacting with diverse people from all walks of life. Through these experiences, I aim to gain a profound understanding of the unique stories and perspectives of various cultural and ethnic communities. My ultimate goal is to bridge these insights with the Canadian context, fostering greater empathy and understanding among people from all backgrounds.

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"Being the recipient of the 2024 Ages Foundation Diversity Impact Bursary is a tremendous honour, and I am deeply grateful to the CIP/ICU Planning Student Trust Fund for recognizing my dedication and potential. This support will be invaluable in helping me pursue my academic and professional goals, motivating me to use my skills and knowledge to contribute to global sustainability and create positive change in my own, and many other, racialized and ethnic communities nationwide."

Jayden Cote, a proud Métis student from Penetanguishene, Ontario, is committed to connecting the dots between urban and rural communities. He earned his Bachelor of Commerce in Government, Economics, and Management from the University of Guelph and is now pursuing a Master of Science in Rural Planning and Development with a collaborative focus on International Development Studies. Jayden’s professional background spans municipal and federal government work. As a part-time Junior Data Analyst at Indigenous Services Canada, he turns complex data into meaningful insights that drive greater accountability and open new avenues for Indigenous engagement in federal procurement. Previously, he oversaw bylaw compliance and business licensing for the City of Guelph and provided administrative support for the Township of Georgian Bay. Rooted in his passion for equitable and sustainable planning, Jayden blends academic knowledge with hands-on experience to tackle pressing issues faced by both rural and urban areas. His goal is to champion inclusive approaches that uplift underrepresented communities and lead to fair, forward-thinking planning solutions.

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"I am incredibly grateful and deeply honoured to receive the SOAR Professional Services Indigenous Student Bursary. I sincerely thank the CIP/ICU Planning Student Trust Fund for this generous recognition of my commitment to sustainable planning and supporting Indigenous communities. This financial support provides invaluable relief at a critical time in my studies, enabling me to continue advancing my work in bridging urban and rural divides, empowering underrepresented communities, and helping Indigenous communities thrive for generations to come."

Jennifer Khuu is a fourth-year undergraduate urban planning student at Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU). Her planning interests include community engagement, environmental sustainability, public transportation, and creative placemaking. She has previously worked at the City of Brampton, Halton Region, MapYourProperty, BA Consulting Group and Metrolinx, which has allowed her to deepen her research, communication and collaboration skills. Her academic performance and contributions to her community have been recognized by both Toronto Metropolitan University and the School of Urban and Regional Planning specifically, as well as the Ontario Professionals Planners Institute, the Canadian Urban Transit Association, and WTS Toronto. She is currently the Executive Vice President for SMASH, a student group at TMU focused on promoting mental health and wellbeing. When she is not learning or working, you can find Jennifer going out for sunset runs, baking a new recipe, or getting lost in the latest YA romance novel.

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"I am honoured to be the recipient of the 2024 College of Fellows Undergraduate Bursary, which will provide financial support in obtaining my Bachelor of Urban and Regional Planning by covering tuition costs and associated program costs. I am extremely grateful to the CIP/ICU Planning Student Trust Fund for supporting students like myself in pursuing a meaningful career in shaping resilient and equitable communities for all."

I am a first-year student studying at UBC's Master of Community and Regional Planning program with a concentration in Indigenous Community Planning. I am a recent graduate of McMaster University's interdisciplinary Honours Arts & Science Undergraduate Program.

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"I am very honoured to have been selected as the recipient of the 2024 David Palubeski Bursary. This bursary provides invaluable financial support and allows me to dedicate more time to exploring my academic interests and creating positive change in my community. I am very grateful to have this support as I continue my academic, professional, and personal learning journey."

Timothy Fung is a Master of Urban Planning student at McGill University, with an Honours Bachelor of Arts in Architectural Studies at the University of Toronto. He has worked as an architecture consultant and as a member of various university clubs, including being the Vice President of Housing Advocacy at the Habitat for Humanity UofT Student Chapter. His recent undergraduate thesis proposes an architecture competition that repurposes underutilized parking to add a network of public spaces in downtown Winnipeg. This work culminates from his fascination with understanding spatial interactions within urban settings, with the goal of creating sensible and elegant public spaces. In his free time, he enjoys biking using the city’s bike rental systems and exploring the various summer and winter markets that a city has to offer. He plans to pursue a career in urban design and planning.​

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"I am incredibly grateful to the CIP-PSTF for granting me the Ted Fobert and Robert Tennant Planning Merit Bursary. It provides great support and encouragement as I begin my journey in urban design and planning."

Timurul Hoque Kazi is a 4th-year B.E.S. Planning student at the University of Waterloo. Having worked internships in co-operative housing, federal sustainable finance, and municipal development and environmental planning, he has gained an interest in climate and housing work. He hopes to pursue this interest through a thesis on municipal climate adaptation and international research and work opportunities. In addition to his studies, Timurul served as the OPPI Student Liaison Committee Chair and one of the Waterloo undergraduate Planning Students Association Co-President for 2023-2024. Beyond his undergraduate degree, he hopes to work and pursue further studies in urban resilience and climate adaptation, and continue to be involved in his communities through service and advocacy.​

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"I am honoured, humbled, and deeply grateful to the CIP-PSTF for awarding me the 2024 John Bousfield Bursary for my work and studies in climate adaptation. I hope to live up to the recognition of my efforts thus far by using this support to continue pursuing research and practice in this field, making a meaningful contribution to the planning profession, and our communities."