instigator-in-chief

Bruce Davis is a consultant specializing in communications, community outreach, development consulting and project management.  He is a facilitator, project manager, public speaker, writer and housing nerd with 30+ years working at the intersection of private business, government and the public.

        He is also the chief instigator at Public Progress.

        These days Bruce is primarily focused on the creation of quality, safe, affordable housing; he has worked on seven Rapid Housing projects since 2020 on community outreach or project management. He routinely works with clients to develop housing, from site selection to feasibility analysis to community engagement and project management.
       In the 1980's and 90's Bruce ran political campaigns across Canada and raised money for various charities. For nine years he worked for the Canadian Red Cross in fundraising, strategic planning and blood donor recruitment before moving to a small advertising agency. In 1997 he co-founded Urban Intelligence, a small municipal affairs consultancy, and Novae Res Urbis, a municipal news service. In 2002 he was a partner in the acquisition and relaunch of a small publishing company in the UK.
       Since 1997 Bruce has been involved in policy issues across Canada, including the passage of non-smoking by-laws across Ontario and the first Toronto by-law banning the cosmetic use of pesticides. His practice has also included work on economic development, real estate development, housing, energy, public health, environmental issues and tax policy.
       Bruce is no stranger to issues affecting Canada’s most vulnerable citizens. In 1990 he was the first Returning Officer in Canada to enumerate homeless voters. In 1995 as a volunteer he helped establish an Out-of-the-Cold program in downtown Toronto. He was a community outreach consultant on the redevelopment of Liberty House as supportive housing at 793 Gerrard Street East. Since then he has been involved in the launching of several affordable housing projects, respite sites, municipal shelters and consumption treatment centres. In 2021-2021 Bruce managed the City of Kingston's encampment working group, helping to manage challenging issues facing unhoused individuals and the community.
        Bruce has worked with young offenders, Somali-Canadian women focused on youth violence, and from 2000 to 2010 Bruce was a trustee on the Toronto District School Board -- at that time a $2.5-billion organization. He has sat on the board of a regional theatre and chaired a local BIA. In 2012 Bruce received the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal for his community service.
       In addition to his work on social justice issues and housing, Bruce has also owned and operated a B & B (2008-2016), founded a small craft brewery (2011-2018) and owned and operated a 100-seat bar (2016-2020).
       Bruce divides his time between Toronto and Kingston, Ontario.