The Power of Community: Building Hope in Uncertain Times

The 2026 Teeny Tiny Summits will focus on the theme “The Power of Community: Building Hope in Uncertain Times.”

These Summits will take place across Ontario:

• May 26 at the Clifford Community Centre, Clifford
• May 28 at the Burleigh Falls Inn, in Burleigh Falls
• June 3 at Our Lady of Lourdes Church, Manitouwadge

Teeny Tiny Summits focus on economic development for small communities. Providing practical examples, tools and opportunities to learn from leaders in these areas. Attendees can network with expert volunteers and active community leaders who share a passion for teeny tiny places. Whether you’re a community leader, rural volunteer, economic developer or entrepreneur this summit is ideal for you.

Welcome Keynote Leslie Fournier

We’re thrilled to welcome keynote speaker Leslie Fournier to every 2026 summit! With her powerhouse experience in rural placemaking, public space activation, and community‑driven development, Leslie brings a dynamic, inspiring approach that energizes audiences and sparks real action in rural communities.

Leslie will explore a dynamic range of topics including:

• Building excitement around rural communities and what becomes possible when people rally together
• Experiences working with communities across Canada, and successful creative strategies
• Stories of grassroots innovation that inspire and energize local champions
• What communities can accomplish with minimal budgets, driven instead by passion and collective effort
• Re-imagining local ideas, re-energizing volunteers, and sparking new momentum

Register now!

Don’t miss the opportunity to attend a Teeny Tiny Summit and be part of a transformative, hope-building community experience.

About Leslie Fournier

Leslie Fournier is the creator of Streets Alive, a renowned placemaking and public-realm animation program that has transformed her community’s downtown through interactive art and activity. Streets Alive has been featured in national publications, and Leslie has been recognized as Orillia’s Citizen of the Year and Business Women of the Year in 2013.

As a small-town retailer for over 20 years, Leslie understands firsthand the challenges faced by rural businesses and the need for communities to build a strong, vibrant sense of place. She frequently speaks at BIAs, tourism conferences, cultural summits and economic development events across Canada.

About Teeny Tiny Summits

The Ontario Ministry of Rural Affairs (MRA) in partnership with Rural Ontario Municipal Association (ROMA), supports Ontario’s smallest communities through Teeny Tiny Economic Development Summits. The Summits are focused on timely topics and challenges facing small rural communities. Since 2016, the Summits have reached over 2,750 participants from across Ontario.