I’m gonna tell you a little bit about this concept of magnetic cities as you
this concept of magnetic cities as you
this concept of magnetic cities as you heard from my bio I live in a place
heard from my bio I live in a place
heard from my bio I live in a place called Victoria British Columbia and it
called Victoria British Columbia and it
called Victoria British Columbia and it pulled me I used to live here and it
pulled me I used to live here and it
pulled me I used to live here and it pulled me all the way across the country
pulled me all the way across the country
pulled me all the way across the country a long time ago with its magnet and
a long time ago with its magnet and
a long time ago with its magnet and we’ve worked on making it more and more
we’ve worked on making it more and more
we’ve worked on making it more and more powerful ever since and so I’m going to
powerful ever since and so I’m going to
powerful ever since and so I’m going to tell you a little bit about that but
tell you a little bit about that but
tell you a little bit about that but first a little background on where I
first a little background on where I
first a little background on where I came from so I grew up just on the other
came from so I grew up just on the other
came from so I grew up just on the other side of Lake Simcoe and Keswick I lived
side of Lake Simcoe and Keswick I lived
side of Lake Simcoe and Keswick I lived there and I think it’s fair to say that
there and I think it’s fair to say that
there and I think it’s fair to say that there’s not a person in my family that
there’s not a person in my family that
there’s not a person in my family that doesn’t live three hours from where I’m
doesn’t live three hours from where I’m
doesn’t live three hours from where I’m standing right now except for me and so
standing right now except for me and so
standing right now except for me and so I have a lot of roots here I’ve spent
I have a lot of roots here I’ve spent
I have a lot of roots here I’ve spent many summer vacations that was Sega
many summer vacations that was Sega
many summer vacations that was Sega Beach and and I even remember riding
Beach and and I even remember riding
Beach and and I even remember riding this concrete slide down Blue Mountain
this concrete slide down Blue Mountain
this concrete slide down Blue Mountain back in the day and so I so I was really
back in the day and so I so I was really
back in the day and so I so I was really excited about the opportunity to come
excited about the opportunity to come
excited about the opportunity to come here and I thought to myself Collingwood
here and I thought to myself Collingwood
here and I thought to myself Collingwood probably has what it takes to be a
probably has what it takes to be a
probably has what it takes to be a magnetic city and so it seems like a
magnetic city and so it seems like a
magnetic city and so it seems like a good place to be and I was I was walking
good place to be and I was I was walking
good place to be and I was I was walking down the street 8th Street in Victoria
down the street 8th Street in Victoria
down the street 8th Street in Victoria is a sunny day as there are often and
is a sunny day as there are often and
is a sunny day as there are often and then I get this phone call from Chris
then I get this phone call from Chris
then I get this phone call from Chris and he’s like we want to have you come
and he’s like we want to have you come
and he’s like we want to have you come out and do a TED talk about what you
out and do a TED talk about what you
out and do a TED talk about what you guys have done in Victoria we’ve heard a
guys have done in Victoria we’ve heard a
guys have done in Victoria we’ve heard a lot about it and cut to now you know
lot about it and cut to now you know
lot about it and cut to now you know I’ve had several beers with that panic
I’ve had several beers with that panic
I’ve had several beers with that panic monster that hangs out with my
monster that hangs out with my
monster that hangs out with my gratification monkey and now I’m
gratification monkey and now I’m
gratification monkey and now I’m standing here almost able to say that I
standing here almost able to say that I
standing here almost able to say that I have done a TED talk and so we’re closer
have done a TED talk and so we’re closer
have done a TED talk and so we’re closer to that goal the last time I was here
to that goal the last time I was here
to that goal the last time I was here was in 1996 and I came here to go skiing
was in 1996 and I came here to go skiing
was in 1996 and I came here to go skiing as many people do I remember it vividly
as many people do I remember it vividly
as many people do I remember it vividly I don’t remember every ski trip I ever
I don’t remember every ski trip I ever
I don’t remember every ski trip I ever took but I remember that one because I
took but I remember that one because I
took but I remember that one because I just had a cast cut off this arm and 24
just had a cast cut off this arm and 24
just had a cast cut off this arm and 24 stitches only eight actually on the
stitches only eight actually on the
stitches only eight actually on the outside taken out of this elbow because
outside taken out of this elbow because
outside taken out of this elbow because I just come back from Banff it was the
I just come back from Banff it was the
I just come back from Banff it was the first time I’d gone to Banff and
first time I’d gone to Banff and
first time I’d gone to Banff and apparently snowboard jumps have
apparently snowboard jumps have
apparently snowboard jumps have categories of classes and there’s
categories of classes and there’s
categories of classes and there’s something called the class 5 jump and it
something called the class 5 jump and it
something called the class 5 jump and it gets a big so I didn’t even know that
gets a big so I didn’t even know that
gets a big so I didn’t even know that came in classes and I was on skis and I
came in classes and I was on skis and I
came in classes and I was on skis and I lost and so that’s how I ended up all
lost and so that’s how I ended up all
lost and so that’s how I ended up all decimated I finally got everything off
decimated I finally got everything off
decimated I finally got everything off and I was able to come skiing and and I
and I was able to come skiing and and I
and I was able to come skiing and and I visited you’re sitting that was the last
visited you’re sitting that was the last
visited you’re sitting that was the last time I was here but that bamp trip it
time I was here but that bamp trip it
time I was here but that bamp trip it was actually started in motion and quite
was actually started in motion and quite
was actually started in motion and quite a few changes in my life and I remember
a few changes in my life and I remember
a few changes in my life and I remember flying off to Banff and I pulled out a
flying off to Banff and I pulled out a
flying off to Banff and I pulled out a magazine look for something to read
magazine look for something to read
magazine look for something to read something to pass the time and there’s
something to pass the time and there’s
something to pass the time and there’s an article in there there’s a picture of
an article in there there’s a picture of
an article in there there’s a picture of a castle covered in ivy
a castle covered in ivy
a castle covered in ivy and if you’ve seen x-men its dr. Xavier
and if you’ve seen x-men its dr. Xavier
and if you’ve seen x-men its dr. Xavier school for the gifted in the movies but
school for the gifted in the movies but
school for the gifted in the movies but that was that’s Royal Road University
that was that’s Royal Road University
that was that’s Royal Road University and they had a new business school that
and they had a new business school that
and they had a new business school that I just launched that appealed to me it
I just launched that appealed to me it
I just launched that appealed to me it was new it was different and had a
was new it was different and had a
was new it was different and had a castle that seemed like that might be
castle that seemed like that might be
castle that seemed like that might be pretty cool and up until that time I’d
pretty cool and up until that time I’d
pretty cool and up until that time I’d only been a couple other places I’ve
only been a couple other places I’ve
only been a couple other places I’ve been to Disneyland and I’d been to
been to Disneyland and I’d been to
been to Disneyland and I’d been to Hawaii now Hawaii probably planted some
Hawaii now Hawaii probably planted some
Hawaii now Hawaii probably planted some seeds in my mind about islands in the
seeds in my mind about islands in the
seeds in my mind about islands in the Pacific and the pole of the West but
Pacific and the pole of the West but
Pacific and the pole of the West but besides that there would been ten years
besides that there would been ten years
besides that there would been ten years since I’d been anywhere and so after
since I’d been anywhere and so after
since I’d been anywhere and so after going through all that I flew home from
going through all that I flew home from
going through all that I flew home from BAMF and I was much worse for the wear
BAMF and I was much worse for the wear
BAMF and I was much worse for the wear but things were going great for me here
but things were going great for me here
but things were going great for me here I had I had gotten off to a decent start
I had I had gotten off to a decent start
I had I had gotten off to a decent start I was a full-time student at Trent
I was a full-time student at Trent
I was a full-time student at Trent University I was a city councilor in
University I was a city councilor in
University I was a city councilor in georgina where I lived in Keswick I had
georgina where I lived in Keswick I had
georgina where I lived in Keswick I had a small publishing company that I was
a small publishing company that I was
a small publishing company that I was running and I was even doing sort of
running and I was even doing sort of
running and I was even doing sort of regular spots on the CBC’s morning show
regular spots on the CBC’s morning show
regular spots on the CBC’s morning show Ontario morning and so I had
Ontario morning and so I had
Ontario morning and so I had opportunities here and things were good
opportunities here and things were good
opportunities here and things were good the following year a buddy of mine right
the following year a buddy of mine right
the following year a buddy of mine right before exams which this is a good time
before exams which this is a good time
before exams which this is a good time to take off said hey I’m gonna go off to
to take off said hey I’m gonna go off to
to take off said hey I’m gonna go off to Western Europe and backpack a little bit
Western Europe and backpack a little bit
Western Europe and backpack a little bit so I bought a train pass and got a
so I bought a train pass and got a
so I bought a train pass and got a backpack and skipped my accounting exam
backpack and skipped my accounting exam
backpack and skipped my accounting exam and I took off to to Western Europe for
and I took off to to Western Europe for
and I took off to to Western Europe for a month and and and it changed my life
a month and and and it changed my life
a month and and and it changed my life while I was there I learned how I
while I was there I learned how I
while I was there I learned how I learned a lot about foreign lands and
learned a lot about foreign lands and
learned a lot about foreign lands and getting around I learned an appreciation
getting around I learned an appreciation
getting around I learned an appreciation for architecture for the first time I
for architecture for the first time I
for architecture for the first time I was exposed to just massive cities up
was exposed to just massive cities up
was exposed to just massive cities up until then you know Toronto centre of
until then you know Toronto centre of
until then you know Toronto centre of the universe’s as we’re often told was
the universe’s as we’re often told was
the universe’s as we’re often told was really the biggest place I had been and
really the biggest place I had been and
really the biggest place I had been and there was this realization while I was
there was this realization while I was
there was this realization while I was there on that trip that I was gonna
there on that trip that I was gonna
there on that trip that I was gonna change my priorities and my values and
change my priorities and my values and
change my priorities and my values and what happened was I was 26 years old and
what happened was I was 26 years old and
what happened was I was 26 years old and I was thinking I was going to be a
I was thinking I was going to be a
I was thinking I was going to be a lawyer I thought I was gonna be a lot of
lawyer I thought I was gonna be a lot of
lawyer I thought I was gonna be a lot of things all of them sound noble and
things all of them sound noble and
things all of them sound noble and laudable and make make moms happy and at
laudable and make make moms happy and at
laudable and make make moms happy and at that time I thought I was gonna be a
that time I thought I was gonna be a
that time I thought I was gonna be a lawyer and I stood in the middle of
lawyer and I stood in the middle of
lawyer and I stood in the middle of Monte Carlo Monte Carlo is just a
Monte Carlo Monte Carlo is just a
Monte Carlo Monte Carlo is just a strikingly beautiful place it’s a
strikingly beautiful place it’s a
strikingly beautiful place it’s a principality in France well it’s a
principality in France well it’s a
principality in France well it’s a principality surrounded by France it’s
principality surrounded by France it’s
principality surrounded by France it’s not part of France they’d like to know
not part of France they’d like to know
not part of France they’d like to know that and it’s beautiful and it’s
that and it’s beautiful and it’s
that and it’s beautiful and it’s manicured and pristine
manicured and pristine
manicured and pristine there’s escalators outside though the
there’s escalators outside though the
there’s escalators outside though the cheapest car I saw I think was a BMW
cheapest car I saw I think was a BMW
cheapest car I saw I think was a BMW 7-series and I just Ferraris as far as
7-series and I just Ferraris as far as
7-series and I just Ferraris as far as the eye could see there was a harbor
the eye could see there was a harbor
the eye could see there was a harbor full of yachts billions of dollars in
full of yachts billions of dollars in
full of yachts billions of dollars in yachts and I stood there and I thought
yachts and I stood there and I thought
yachts and I stood there and I thought so no matter what Jones you’re keeping
so no matter what Jones you’re keeping
so no matter what Jones you’re keeping up with there’s always another Jones
up with there’s always another Jones
up with there’s always another Jones there’s always another Jones there’s
there’s always another Jones there’s
there’s always another Jones there’s always another place you’re going to go
always another place you’re going to go
always another place you’re going to go and so it changed me for for forever
and so it changed me for for forever
and so it changed me for for forever my priorities changed in my
my priorities changed in my
my priorities changed in my changed and I was no longer gonna be
changed and I was no longer gonna be
changed and I was no longer gonna be worried about the material things would
worried about the material things would
worried about the material things would be a nomad that just changes the
be a nomad that just changes the
be a nomad that just changes the opportunity I wanted to chase
opportunity I wanted to chase
opportunity I wanted to chase experiences like the one that I was
experiences like the one that I was
experiences like the one that I was having it started to pull me into a
having it started to pull me into a
having it started to pull me into a different direction fortunately for me a
different direction fortunately for me a
different direction fortunately for me a year later another friend was going on a
year later another friend was going on a
year later another friend was going on a trip and they were off to Victoria
trip and they were off to Victoria
trip and they were off to Victoria because they’d been accepted to the
because they’d been accepted to the
because they’d been accepted to the University of Victoria’s Law Program and
University of Victoria’s Law Program and
University of Victoria’s Law Program and I thought that sounds like a good way to
I thought that sounds like a good way to
I thought that sounds like a good way to spend spring break so I got on a plane
spend spring break so I got on a plane
spend spring break so I got on a plane and I stepped off that plane and at that
and I stepped off that plane and at that
and I stepped off that plane and at that time I knew from what I’d learned in
time I knew from what I’d learned in
time I knew from what I’d learned in grade 10 geography class or maybe it was
grade 10 geography class or maybe it was
grade 10 geography class or maybe it was younger that it was on an island that
younger that it was on an island that
younger that it was on an island that was a capital of British Columbia that’s
was a capital of British Columbia that’s
was a capital of British Columbia that’s all I knew
all I knew
all I knew I didn’t I didn’t know much but my
I didn’t I didn’t know much but my
I didn’t I didn’t know much but my grandmother just come back in 96 and she
grandmother just come back in 96 and she
grandmother just come back in 96 and she told me that they had a huge snowstorm
told me that they had a huge snowstorm
told me that they had a huge snowstorm and that that was unusual that they
and that that was unusual that they
and that that was unusual that they don’t get snow that’s not interesting
don’t get snow that’s not interesting
don’t get snow that’s not interesting and that they’re not prepared to move
and that they’re not prepared to move
and that they’re not prepared to move any snow let alone three feet of snow
any snow let alone three feet of snow
any snow let alone three feet of snow and I can tell you now as a resident of
and I can tell you now as a resident of
and I can tell you now as a resident of Victoria people still talk about the
Victoria people still talk about the
Victoria people still talk about the storm of 96 today like it is like the
storm of 96 today like it is like the
storm of 96 today like it is like the Great Depression to Victoria so I
Great Depression to Victoria so I
Great Depression to Victoria so I stepped off this plane it’s February
stepped off this plane it’s February
stepped off this plane it’s February I’ve just flown from from Peterborough
I’ve just flown from from Peterborough
I’ve just flown from from Peterborough on the and the the peak of winter and I
on the and the the peak of winter and I
on the and the the peak of winter and I think of myself so this is this is
think of myself so this is this is
think of myself so this is this is actually a place and this is in Canada
actually a place and this is in Canada
actually a place and this is in Canada like I love I want to be a Canadian and
like I love I want to be a Canadian and
like I love I want to be a Canadian and I but I can’t believe it’s February it’s
I but I can’t believe it’s February it’s
I but I can’t believe it’s February it’s 15 degrees it’s sunny mountains
15 degrees it’s sunny mountains
15 degrees it’s sunny mountains everywhere I’m going golfing that
everywhere I’m going golfing that
everywhere I’m going golfing that afternoon like I think I think I might
afternoon like I think I think I might
afternoon like I think I think I might like it here I could go on and on about
like it here I could go on and on about
like it here I could go on and on about what I love about Victoria and I will a
what I love about Victoria and I will a
what I love about Victoria and I will a little bit more later but suffice it to
little bit more later but suffice it to
little bit more later but suffice it to say there was another pole another pole
say there was another pole another pole
say there was another pole another pole that changed the direction of my life
that changed the direction of my life
that changed the direction of my life this magnet was starting to pull me in
this magnet was starting to pull me in
this magnet was starting to pull me in and I’d found the place resonated with
and I’d found the place resonated with
and I’d found the place resonated with me and that very week I filled in an
me and that very week I filled in an
me and that very week I filled in an application for that school with the ivy
application for that school with the ivy
application for that school with the ivy and the castle at Royal Roads and then
and the castle at Royal Roads and then
and the castle at Royal Roads and then the following year I transferred to
the following year I transferred to
the following year I transferred to their Bachelor of Commerce program at
their Bachelor of Commerce program at
their Bachelor of Commerce program at that time what you think of Victoria
that time what you think of Victoria
that time what you think of Victoria probably still today was largely true a
probably still today was largely true a
probably still today was largely true a lot of people still think of what it was
lot of people still think of what it was
lot of people still think of what it was 40 years ago
40 years ago
40 years ago a government town retirees lots of
a government town retirees lots of
a government town retirees lots of tourism and there’s this great saying
tourism and there’s this great saying
tourism and there’s this great saying that we propagate more than anybody else
that we propagate more than anybody else
that we propagate more than anybody else so the newly weds and the nearly dead
so the newly weds and the nearly dead
so the newly weds and the nearly dead that’s what people love to describe I
that’s what people love to describe I
that’s what people love to describe I mean that wasn’t that was largely the
mean that wasn’t that was largely the
mean that wasn’t that was largely the case but things have changed a lot in
case but things have changed a lot in
case but things have changed a lot in Victoria now tech is our number one
Victoria now tech is our number one
Victoria now tech is our number one industry it’s four billion dollars a
industry it’s four billion dollars a
industry it’s four billion dollars a year and we have 904 tech companies with
year and we have 904 tech companies with
year and we have 904 tech companies with 15,000 direct employees tourism is still
15,000 direct employees tourism is still
15,000 direct employees tourism is still thriving and growing we have more
thriving and growing we have more
thriving and growing we have more restaurants per capita than anywhere
restaurants per capita than anywhere
restaurants per capita than anywhere else in Canada which is really fun
else in Canada which is really fun
else in Canada which is really fun San Francisco has more than us per
San Francisco has more than us per
San Francisco has more than us per capita in North America but though the
capita in North America but though the
capita in North America but though the only ones I’d like to say you can’t
only ones I’d like to say you can’t
only ones I’d like to say you can’t throw a taco and Victoria without
throw a taco and Victoria without
throw a taco and Victoria without hitting a coffee shop and you can’t
hitting a coffee shop and you can’t
hitting a coffee shop and you can’t throw a latte without hitting a taco
throw a latte without hitting a taco
throw a latte without hitting a taco shop there it is it’s prolific it’s the
shop there it is it’s prolific it’s the
shop there it is it’s prolific it’s the cradle of the craft beer revolution a
cradle of the craft beer revolution a
cradle of the craft beer revolution a lot of people don’t know that the first
lot of people don’t know that the first
lot of people don’t know that the first brew pub in Canada was in Victoria and
brew pub in Canada was in Victoria and
brew pub in Canada was in Victoria and there’s 13 craft breweries going strong
there’s 13 craft breweries going strong
there’s 13 craft breweries going strong in there today and I can also tell you
in there today and I can also tell you
in there today and I can also tell you that if you ever come to Victoria if you
that if you ever come to Victoria if you
that if you ever come to Victoria if you come to visit me and you show up at a
come to visit me and you show up at a
come to visit me and you show up at a party and you bring any kind of major
party and you bring any kind of major
party and you bring any kind of major brand that isn’t made in Victoria they
brand that isn’t made in Victoria they
brand that isn’t made in Victoria they will ask you to leave
will ask you to leave
will ask you to leave there’s over 1200 live music shows a
there’s over 1200 live music shows a
there’s over 1200 live music shows a year there’s 29 art galleries there’s 10
year there’s 29 art galleries there’s 10
year there’s 29 art galleries there’s 10 live theatre venues and still we have
live theatre venues and still we have
live theatre venues and still we have one acre of parkland for every 20 people
one acre of parkland for every 20 people
one acre of parkland for every 20 people 33% of the people walk or cycle to work
33% of the people walk or cycle to work
33% of the people walk or cycle to work and 365 days of the year’s barbecue
and 365 days of the year’s barbecue
and 365 days of the year’s barbecue season so that’s the end of the
season so that’s the end of the
season so that’s the end of the commercial I get carried away but I have
commercial I get carried away but I have
commercial I get carried away but I have to line that because really what I’m
to line that because really what I’m
to line that because really what I’m doing is I’m saying to you that there’s
doing is I’m saying to you that there’s
doing is I’m saying to you that there’s a thing called a magnetic city and a lot
a thing called a magnetic city and a lot
a thing called a magnetic city and a lot of places can be a magnetic city it
of places can be a magnetic city it
of places can be a magnetic city it takes a little bit of work to build the
takes a little bit of work to build the
takes a little bit of work to build the things it’s about combining quality of
things it’s about combining quality of
things it’s about combining quality of opportunity with quality of life and
opportunity with quality of life and
opportunity with quality of life and purpose a place that pulls people based
purpose a place that pulls people based
purpose a place that pulls people based on shared values by offering superior
on shared values by offering superior
on shared values by offering superior quality of life and combining it with
quality of life and combining it with
quality of life and combining it with opportunity I’m not talking about the
opportunity I’m not talking about the
opportunity I’m not talking about the big megalopolises those places are so
big megalopolises those places are so
big megalopolises those places are so big they have their own critical mass
big they have their own critical mass
big they have their own critical mass they create gravity so New York San
they create gravity so New York San
they create gravity so New York San Francisco Vancouver Toronto Hong Kong
Francisco Vancouver Toronto Hong Kong
Francisco Vancouver Toronto Hong Kong London the the quality of life isn’t
London the the quality of life isn’t
London the the quality of life isn’t nearly as important because there’s just
nearly as important because there’s just
nearly as important because there’s just such a prolific amount of weight and
such a prolific amount of weight and
such a prolific amount of weight and opportunity that it naturally draws
opportunity that it naturally draws
opportunity that it naturally draws people to it and what’s important to
people to it and what’s important to
people to it and what’s important to know about those people that move there
know about those people that move there
know about those people that move there is they’re looking at opportunity first
is they’re looking at opportunity first
is they’re looking at opportunity first opportunity is the primary consideration
opportunity is the primary consideration
opportunity is the primary consideration if you have to overlook a long commute
if you have to overlook a long commute
if you have to overlook a long commute if you have to overlook your sense of
if you have to overlook your sense of
if you have to overlook your sense of community or your outdoor recreation or
community or your outdoor recreation or
community or your outdoor recreation or safety all for opportunity you’re
safety all for opportunity you’re
safety all for opportunity you’re willing to do that and and you know what
willing to do that and and you know what
willing to do that and and you know what that makes a lot of sense but as they
that makes a lot of sense but as they
that makes a lot of sense but as they say times are changing and what’s
say times are changing and what’s
say times are changing and what’s happening is we have a new generation
happening is we have a new generation
happening is we have a new generation that’s coming up that value a lot of
that’s coming up that value a lot of
that’s coming up that value a lot of different things more than just
different things more than just
different things more than just opportunity also there’s this concept of
opportunity also there’s this concept of
opportunity also there’s this concept of the creative index in the creative class
the creative index in the creative class
the creative index in the creative class that I Richard Florida is a professor
that I Richard Florida is a professor
that I Richard Florida is a professor and a researcher at the University of
and a researcher at the University of
and a researcher at the University of Toronto at the Rotman School of Business
Toronto at the Rotman School of Business
Toronto at the Rotman School of Business in the Martin Institute for Prosperity I
in the Martin Institute for Prosperity I
in the Martin Institute for Prosperity I think I think I got all the titles right
think I think I got all the titles right
think I think I got all the titles right but he became famous for the creative
but he became famous for the creative
but he became famous for the creative class concept in the creative index and
class concept in the creative index and
class concept in the creative index and what the creative index does is has
what the creative index does is has
what the creative index does is has three T’s of and I hold up four fingers
three T’s of and I hold up four fingers
three T’s of and I hold up four fingers reason three tees of economic
reason three tees of economic
reason three tees of economic development technology talent and
development technology talent and
development technology talent and tolerance and the fourth tee that
tolerance and the fourth tee that
tolerance and the fourth tee that they’ve added is quality of place so I
they’ve added is quality of place so I
they’ve added is quality of place so I guess the tea and that one is the
guess the tea and that one is the
guess the tea and that one is the quality of place so there’s the the four
quality of place so there’s the the four
quality of place so there’s the the four in the index values now they value
in the index values now they value
in the index values now they value technology for obvious reasons tech
technology for obvious reasons tech
technology for obvious reasons tech innovation improves competition it
innovation improves competition it
innovation improves competition it brings new ideas it creates new products
brings new ideas it creates new products
brings new ideas it creates new products it creates opportunity it creates
it creates opportunity it creates
it creates opportunity it creates abundance talent is obvious because not
abundance talent is obvious because not
abundance talent is obvious because not only do they do the production of all
only do they do the production of all
only do they do the production of all those ideas and create things but
those ideas and create things but
those ideas and create things but they’re also the ones that have the
they’re also the ones that have the
they’re also the ones that have the ideas so importing new people is the
ideas so importing new people is the
ideas so importing new people is the most important thing that you can do in
most important thing that you can do in
most important thing that you can do in your community tolerance is focused on
your community tolerance is focused on
your community tolerance is focused on and this one is more on the other side
and this one is more on the other side
and this one is more on the other side of magnet so those first two tech
of magnet so those first two tech
of magnet so those first two tech and-and-and talent that’s everywhere
and-and-and talent that’s everywhere
and-and-and talent that’s everywhere that’s every city now tolerance and
that’s every city now tolerance and
that’s every city now tolerance and quality of place are where the magnet
quality of place are where the magnet
quality of place are where the magnet gets its second Pole right so tolerance
gets its second Pole right so tolerance
gets its second Pole right so tolerance is openness inclusion and diversity the
is openness inclusion and diversity the
is openness inclusion and diversity the creative class and arguably Millennials
creative class and arguably Millennials
creative class and arguably Millennials also can be defined along two lines they
also can be defined along two lines they
also can be defined along two lines they prize our individuality and ability for
prize our individuality and ability for
prize our individuality and ability for self-expression and they value diversity
self-expression and they value diversity
self-expression and they value diversity and openness and so it’s really
and openness and so it’s really
and openness and so it’s really important that your community is a
important that your community is a
important that your community is a welcoming open friendly place and not an
welcoming open friendly place and not an
welcoming open friendly place and not an angry one the fourth key quality of
angry one the fourth key quality of
angry one the fourth key quality of place is where it really land is for me
place is where it really land is for me
place is where it really land is for me because it’s the places that I love they
because it’s the places that I love they
because it’s the places that I love they talk about social and cultural things
talk about social and cultural things
talk about social and cultural things like museums libraries theaters and
like museums libraries theaters and
like museums libraries theaters and restaurants and bars all the things that
restaurants and bars all the things that
restaurants and bars all the things that I just listed they also look at the
I just listed they also look at the
I just listed they also look at the civic engagement how proud are people of
civic engagement how proud are people of
civic engagement how proud are people of their community and how involved are
their community and how involved are
their community and how involved are they because I I mean they’re an
they because I I mean they’re an
they because I I mean they’re an important engine to building any Kent
important engine to building any Kent
important engine to building any Kent community and empowering up your magnet
community and empowering up your magnet
community and empowering up your magnet and one of the key indicators for this
and one of the key indicators for this
and one of the key indicators for this if you’re ever wondering how you’re
if you’re ever wondering how you’re
if you’re ever wondering how you’re doing in a civic engagement side is look
doing in a civic engagement side is look
doing in a civic engagement side is look at your federal voter turnout that gives
at your federal voter turnout that gives
at your federal voter turnout that gives you an idea of how much people really
you an idea of how much people really
you an idea of how much people really really are paying attention and of
really are paying attention and of
really are paying attention and of course housing a transportation right
course housing a transportation right
course housing a transportation right population density housing affordability
population density housing affordability
population density housing affordability which has become very interesting in
which has become very interesting in
which has become very interesting in Canada in the last couple of years and
Canada in the last couple of years and
Canada in the last couple of years and public transit so those are the ones
public transit so those are the ones
public transit so those are the ones that the you know the big brains and the
that the you know the big brains and the
that the you know the big brains and the researchers have come up with to create
researchers have come up with to create
researchers have come up with to create an index and and not surprisingly
an index and and not surprisingly
an index and and not surprisingly Victoria does pretty well on that index
Victoria does pretty well on that index
Victoria does pretty well on that index now you can’t change the location of
now you can’t change the location of
now you can’t change the location of your place and so I have a really
your place and so I have a really
your place and so I have a really important point and this doesn’t have to
important point and this doesn’t have to
important point and this doesn’t have to apply to this doesn’t apply to call
apply to this doesn’t apply to call
apply to this doesn’t apply to call anyone because it’s beautiful here but
anyone because it’s beautiful here but
anyone because it’s beautiful here but some places they don’t have a beautiful
some places they don’t have a beautiful
some places they don’t have a beautiful surrounding they don’t have lots of
surrounding they don’t have lots of
surrounding they don’t have lots of natural elements but any city that’s
natural elements but any city that’s
natural elements but any city that’s looking to grow and expand and become a
looking to grow and expand and become a
looking to grow and expand and become a magnets that he has to play to its
magnets that he has to play to its
magnets that he has to play to its strengths so that’s one thing be
strengths so that’s one thing be
strengths so that’s one thing be whatever you have amplify that and don’t
whatever you have amplify that and don’t
whatever you have amplify that and don’t spend your time trying to be
spend your time trying to be
spend your time trying to be next whatever the number of times people
next whatever the number of times people
next whatever the number of times people said we want to be the next Silicon
said we want to be the next Silicon
said we want to be the next Silicon Valley to me is is just agonizing
Valley to me is is just agonizing
Valley to me is is just agonizing because it’s such a such a foolish idea
because it’s such a such a foolish idea
because it’s such a such a foolish idea also engage the willing so when you’re
also engage the willing so when you’re
also engage the willing so when you’re trying to do this some people won’t like
trying to do this some people won’t like
trying to do this some people won’t like the idea
the idea
the idea they’ll though I don’t want to swear
they’ll though I don’t want to swear
they’ll though I don’t want to swear though poopoo on your idea because they
though poopoo on your idea because they
though poopoo on your idea because they have their own agendas whatever that is
have their own agendas whatever that is
have their own agendas whatever that is engaged the willing to find the people
engaged the willing to find the people
engaged the willing to find the people that think like you and work hard with
that think like you and work hard with
that think like you and work hard with them and if you do those two things
them and if you do those two things
them and if you do those two things you’re already ahead of the game
you’re already ahead of the game
you’re already ahead of the game compared to most cities so how do i
compared to most cities so how do i
compared to most cities so how do i define a magnetic city well one they
define a magnetic city well one they
define a magnetic city well one they have to be easy to get around and so
have to be easy to get around and so
have to be easy to get around and so smaller population is better right so
smaller population is better right so
smaller population is better right so you have to have enough that there’s
you have to have enough that there’s
you have to have enough that there’s there’s opportunity but less than a
there’s opportunity but less than a
there’s opportunity but less than a million people between that you know
million people between that you know
million people between that you know hundred thousand and a million people is
hundred thousand and a million people is
hundred thousand and a million people is a real magic zone for magnetic cities
a real magic zone for magnetic cities
a real magic zone for magnetic cities natural beauty is really helpful if you
natural beauty is really helpful if you
natural beauty is really helpful if you have that it’s one of the only unique
have that it’s one of the only unique
have that it’s one of the only unique things about a place is what it looks
things about a place is what it looks
things about a place is what it looks like everything else can be replicated
like everything else can be replicated
like everything else can be replicated nearby education centers is really
nearby education centers is really
nearby education centers is really helpful because it brings you talent and
helpful because it brings you talent and
helpful because it brings you talent and if you don’t have a nearby Education
if you don’t have a nearby Education
if you don’t have a nearby Education Center then find ways to attract more
Center then find ways to attract more
Center then find ways to attract more young talent because they bring ideas
young talent because they bring ideas
young talent because they bring ideas they bring energy they bring enthusiasm
they bring energy they bring enthusiasm
they bring energy they bring enthusiasm and they end up creating jobs for
and they end up creating jobs for
and they end up creating jobs for themselves and so that’s vital strong
themselves and so that’s vital strong
themselves and so that’s vital strong connectivity and infrastructure you’re
connectivity and infrastructure you’re
connectivity and infrastructure you’re gonna you’re probably going to build a
gonna you’re probably going to build a
gonna you’re probably going to build a tech industry if you build a magnetic
tech industry if you build a magnetic
tech industry if you build a magnetic city and you’re gonna have to have them
city and you’re gonna have to have them
city and you’re gonna have to have them not worried about connectivity and
not worried about connectivity and
not worried about connectivity and infrastructure while they’re trying to
infrastructure while they’re trying to
infrastructure while they’re trying to get that done it because if that’s an
get that done it because if that’s an
get that done it because if that’s an impairment they’re immediately gonna
impairment they’re immediately gonna
impairment they’re immediately gonna have to find somewhere else of course
have to find somewhere else of course
have to find somewhere else of course again culture beer and food there’s a
again culture beer and food there’s a
again culture beer and food there’s a theme I actually have beers with my
theme I actually have beers with my
theme I actually have beers with my panic monster on a regular basis and so
panic monster on a regular basis and so
panic monster on a regular basis and so and of course if they’re independent
and of course if they’re independent
and of course if they’re independent diverse and local that’s even better and
diverse and local that’s even better and
diverse and local that’s even better and I tried calling wood whiskey last night
I tried calling wood whiskey last night
I tried calling wood whiskey last night and that is delicious so you know more
and that is delicious so you know more
and that is delicious so you know more of that of course safety is important
of that of course safety is important
of that of course safety is important room to grow is nice economic stability
room to grow is nice economic stability
room to grow is nice economic stability is vital if you want to have
is vital if you want to have
is vital if you want to have entrepreneurs in your magnetic city so
entrepreneurs in your magnetic city so
entrepreneurs in your magnetic city so in Victoria we have the government and
in Victoria we have the government and
in Victoria we have the government and we have tourism as two of the pillars of
we have tourism as two of the pillars of
we have tourism as two of the pillars of the economy what’s great about that is
the economy what’s great about that is
the economy what’s great about that is they’re reliable they’re repetitive and
they’re reliable they’re repetitive and
they’re reliable they’re repetitive and somebody in the household can work in
somebody in the household can work in
somebody in the household can work in government or at the university or in
government or at the university or in
government or at the university or in tourism then the other one can go and
tourism then the other one can go and
tourism then the other one can go and take risks and try and slay dragons and
take risks and try and slay dragons and
take risks and try and slay dragons and create and create companies and so that
create and create companies and so that
create and create companies and so that stabilizing force per household is
stabilizing force per household is
stabilizing force per household is really good and of course if you have a
really good and of course if you have a
really good and of course if you have a strong tourism industry then that’s a
strong tourism industry then that’s a
strong tourism industry then that’s a really good sign that you’re gonna have
really good sign that you’re gonna have
really good sign that you’re gonna have an easier time attracting people because
an easier time attracting people because
an easier time attracting people because if people are willing to pay to visit it
if people are willing to pay to visit it
if people are willing to pay to visit it they’re probably willing to live there
they’re probably willing to live there
they’re probably willing to live there right and so all of that leads to low
right and so all of that leads to low
right and so all of that leads to low unemployment technology provides some
unemployment technology provides some
unemployment technology provides some good fun jobs
good fun jobs
good fun jobs start having startup meetups or other
start having startup meetups or other
start having startup meetups or other groups user groups start encouraging
groups user groups start encouraging
groups user groups start encouraging ladies learning code get that started in
ladies learning code get that started in
ladies learning code get that started in your community because the next
your community because the next
your community because the next workforce are the ones that are gonna
workforce are the ones that are gonna
workforce are the ones that are gonna create the companies and create your
create the companies and create your
create the companies and create your burgeoning thriving tech sector and
burgeoning thriving tech sector and
burgeoning thriving tech sector and finally if you can all arrange it not
finally if you can all arrange it not
finally if you can all arrange it not being caught in the shadows of a nearby
being caught in the shadows of a nearby
being caught in the shadows of a nearby monster city one of those ones with all
monster city one of those ones with all
monster city one of those ones with all that gravity is really helpful because
that gravity is really helpful because
that gravity is really helpful because like for example santa cruz once came to
like for example santa cruz once came to
like for example santa cruz once came to visit me and we spent days together than
visit me and we spent days together than
visit me and we spent days together than i was saying this is what we’ve done
i was saying this is what we’ve done
i was saying this is what we’ve done over the last twenty years and they’re
over the last twenty years and they’re
over the last twenty years and they’re like we’re gonna go do all that i said
like we’re gonna go do all that i said
like we’re gonna go do all that i said one thing you have to figure out is how
one thing you have to figure out is how
one thing you have to figure out is how you get out of that shadow you’re two
you get out of that shadow you’re two
you get out of that shadow you’re two hours away from San Francisco and so
hours away from San Francisco and so
hours away from San Francisco and so that magnet or that gravity is just
that magnet or that gravity is just
that magnet or that gravity is just pulling them against your magnet and
pulling them against your magnet and
pulling them against your magnet and it’s a real struggle but they’re doing
it’s a real struggle but they’re doing
it’s a real struggle but they’re doing some great things they’re examples of
some great things they’re examples of
some great things they’re examples of great magnetic cities that I’ve seen our
great magnetic cities that I’ve seen our
great magnetic cities that I’ve seen our Boulder Austin Portland Granada Spain
Boulder Austin Portland Granada Spain
Boulder Austin Portland Granada Spain Reykjavik Iceland Helsinki Lisbon
Reykjavik Iceland Helsinki Lisbon
Reykjavik Iceland Helsinki Lisbon Bratislava Santa Cruz I just mentioned
Bratislava Santa Cruz I just mentioned
Bratislava Santa Cruz I just mentioned Wellington and I think one day soon
Wellington and I think one day soon
Wellington and I think one day soon Collingwood so the world is having an
Collingwood so the world is having an
Collingwood so the world is having an easier and easier time of doing research
easier and easier time of doing research
easier and easier time of doing research to learn about places they’re more and
to learn about places they’re more and
to learn about places they’re more and more choosing quality of life in
more choosing quality of life in
more choosing quality of life in combination with quality of opportunity
combination with quality of opportunity
combination with quality of opportunity and there’s a whole generation and
and there’s a whole generation and
and there’s a whole generation and creative class that are moving where the
creative class that are moving where the
creative class that are moving where the best place for them to be is and the
best place for them to be is and the
best place for them to be is and the most desirable communities are the ones
most desirable communities are the ones
most desirable communities are the ones that are gonna amplify and juice up
that are gonna amplify and juice up
that are gonna amplify and juice up their magnet to have those magnetic pull
their magnet to have those magnetic pull
their magnet to have those magnetic pull factors to pull them in so if you love
factors to pull them in so if you love
factors to pull them in so if you love where you live I heard you to put your
where you live I heard you to put your
where you live I heard you to put your shoulder to the wheel and start juicing
shoulder to the wheel and start juicing
shoulder to the wheel and start juicing up your magnet there’s rules that you
up your magnet there’s rules that you
up your magnet there’s rules that you can play 20 years ago by accident but
can play 20 years ago by accident but
can play 20 years ago by accident but Victoria pulled me in and ever since
Victoria pulled me in and ever since
Victoria pulled me in and ever since I’ve been dedicated to growing that tech
I’ve been dedicated to growing that tech
I’ve been dedicated to growing that tech sector we were 500 million when I got
sector we were 500 million when I got
sector we were 500 million when I got there were 4 billion now we have 900 for
there were 4 billion now we have 900 for
there were 4 billion now we have 900 for companies we have 15,000 great jobs and
companies we have 15,000 great jobs and
companies we have 15,000 great jobs and that’s all because of the magnetism of
that’s all because of the magnetism of
that’s all because of the magnetism of that city and the ability that that it
that city and the ability that that it
that city and the ability that that it offered us to build and grow our economy
offered us to build and grow our economy
offered us to build and grow our economy and somewhere out there your future
and somewhere out there your future
and somewhere out there your future community contributors are bouncing
community contributors are bouncing
community contributors are bouncing around from airplanes reading magazine
around from airplanes reading magazine
around from airplanes reading magazine articles to ‘bad ski jumps just waiting
articles to ‘bad ski jumps just waiting
articles to ‘bad ski jumps just waiting for your magnet to pull them in so
for your magnet to pull them in so
for your magnet to pull them in so thanks very much for having me I really
thanks very much for having me I really
thanks very much for having me I really enjoyed it and enjoy Ted today
enjoyed it and enjoy Ted today
enjoyed it and enjoy Ted today [Applause]
”
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