Planning Intern; CMHC Indigenous Youth Internship Program Job Toronto area,Ontario Canada,Government

Position: Planning Intern (CMHC Indigenous Youth Housing Internship Program)

This internship opportunity at SHS is being offered through the CMHC Indigenous Youth Housing Internship Program and is intended for Indigenous youth (First Nations, Inuit, and Métis) who are 30 years of age and under.

Key Responsibilities
1. Planning Support

Assist Senior Planners and Development Leads with day‑to‑day planning‑related project work, including background research, highest and best use analysis, planning justification reports, planning applications, consultant and client coordination, and meeting preparation, including public and Council meetings.

Support the administration of planning applications by organizing public and agency comments, compiling submission materials, and tracking application progress.

Conduct site‑specific research, including zoning reviews and the interpretation of municipal and provincial policies, legislation, and regulations.

Provide preliminary input on site development potential, land use compatibility, and design direction based on research, planning principles, and the client’s project vision.

Support policy projects by researching cross‑jurisdictional policies, demographic trends, and best practices in urban planning.

Review and summarize documents and studies, clearly communicating key takeaways and implications.

2. Data Analysis

Identify the type of data needed to inform planning decisions and address client needs.

Extract relevant insights from quantitative and qualitative datasets, applying foundational statistical and analytical concepts.

Demonstrate an understanding of housing market trends and the broader housing policy landscape.

Present data clearly using charts, tables, or visuals that support effective storytelling and decision‑making.

3. Report Writing

Assist in organizing research findings and data into coherent and structured reports.

Help incorporate relevant literature and evidence to support project conclusions and recommendations.

Contribute to building persuasive and well‑supported arguments within written materials.

Support the development of clear, accessible content that meets the needs of diverse audiences, including clients, stakeholders, and the public.

The ideal candidate will demonstrate many of the following qualifications, skills, interests, and lived experiences:

Indigenous youth (First Nations, Métis, or Inuit) with an interest in exploring careers connected to housing, planning, community development, or public policy

Currently pursuing or recently completed post-secondary studies in urban planning, geography, Indigenous studies, public policy, urban studies, social sciences, housing, or a related field — or equivalent lived, community, or work experience

Interest in affordable housing, Indigenous housing, community development, land use planning, and improving housing outcomes for communities

Interest in learning about housing policy, housing development processes, municipal planning, and local government housing strategies

Curiosity about housing solutions that support equity‑deserving, underserved, and marginalized communities, including Indigenous communities

Strong research, communication, analytical thinking, and problem‑solving skills

Willingness to learn in a collaborative, mentorship‑oriented environment and contribute to a team‑based consulting setting

Ability to manage tasks, take initiative, and adapt in a dynamic work environment

Experience working with community organizations, student groups, volunteer initiatives, or Indigenous communities is considered an asset

Familiarity with Microsoft Office, Google Workspace, mapping, research, or data analysis tools is considered an asset, but not required

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