Jason Thorne is a professional planner who leads the Planning and Economic Development Department at the City of Hamilton, Canada. He has worked on large regional planning initiatives like the Growth Plan and Metrolinx’s Big Move, on municipal scale land use and sustainability plans, as well as on rural development plans in West Africa and squatter housing upgrades in South America.

He oversees a team of 800 staff members, working across multiple portfolios including planning, building, development engineering, transportation planning, parking, arts, culture, and economic development. Best known historically as Canada’s industrial powerhouse, Jason and his team have helped to guide an urban renaissance in Hamilton that has gained national and international attention.