Fergus Linley-Mota

Fergus is Advisor to the Cities + Climate Initiative (CCI). Since helping to start CCI in 2021, Fergus has held a number of roles within the team, including as Program Coordinator. He is fascinated by 'in-between' spaces – particularly at the intersection of nature and politics, and technology and society – and much of his work and studies have been focused on exploring and driving change in these areas.

Fergus holds a BA from SFU's School of International Studies, and an MSc in Global Governance and Diplomacy from the University of Oxford. In his spare time, he enjoys playing soccer, making and listening to music, and exploring the world with his friends and family.

What is your role at the Centre for Dialogue?

As Advisor to the Cities + Climate Initiative, one of two initiatives in the Centre's Multilevel Climate Action portfolio, I support efforts to deepen the local-federal relationship on climate in Canada through targeted dialogue, promote collaboration among key stakeholders in the Canadian climate policy community, and plug-in to global initiatives around multilevel climate action. This includes helping to guide CCI's strategy, building out domestic and global networks, and supporting the design and delivery of programming like our national dialogues and engagements at the UN COP conferences.

Over my years here I’ve been able to interact with a wonderful Canadian climate ecosystem full of passionate people and organizations, and it feels like there’s always something new to learn. It’s truly a wonderful place to work!

What does dialogue mean to you?

Dialogue, slightly counterintuitively, is first and foremost about listening. By holding a space for stakeholders of any kind to come together and listen to one another, and leaving room for the complexity, friction, empathy, and motivation for change that can emerge (sometimes all at once!), it can be truly wonderful to watch the results unfold.

What is a common assumption you'd like to de-mistify?

I think a lot of young Canadians feel like their voices don’t matter – that politics simply isn’t going to be influenced by our participation. While I really understand that feeling, I want to demystify the assumption that youth engagement doesn't make a difference.

History is filled with examples of young activists and voters driving significant change. From civil rights movements to climate action, young voices have been instrumental in shaping policies and pushing for progress. So, whether it’s at the voting booth or through programs and events of the kind put on by the Centre, Public Square, CityHive and more, by actively participating in our democracy, young people can help shape a better future for ourselves and generations to come.