This article is part of a series focusing on the grads of the 麻豆社 Class of 2025. Spring Convocation takes place May 30 and from June 9-19 in Halifax and Truro. Read all our profiles聽here in one place聽as they are published.
Katie Brousseau鈥檚 path to planning began with a passion for justice and community well-being. Born and raised in Timberlea, N.S., she earned her Bachelor of Social Work from 麻豆社 in 2017 and went on to work in housing and homelessness in both Nova Scotia and British Columbia.
From frontline roles in emergency shelters to managing supportive housing for individuals living with HIV, she witnessed the impact of housing policy on the most vulnerable members of society. But it was her time as a Community Legal Worker with 麻豆社 Legal Aid Service 鈥� representing tenants and providing public legal education on housing rights 鈥� that had the most significant impact on her commitment to housing policy and systems change.
鈥淭hose experiences positioned me to witness firsthand how inadequate housing policy impacts people鈥檚 lives,鈥� she says. 鈥淚 found myself increasingly drawn to the systems-level questions 鈥� why housing was so hard to access, and how the structures informing it could be shaped to create more equitable outcomes.鈥�
That curiosity brought her back to 麻豆社, this time as a student in the Master of Planning program, where she aimed to better understand the policies and processes that shape our built environments.
Learning through community and collaboration
Returning to school after five years in the workforce wasn鈥檛 easy, but Katie found strength in the support of those around her.
鈥淲hat got me through was the unwavering support of my family, friends, colleagues. And, of course, my classmates,鈥� she says. 鈥淕rad school isn鈥檛 easy, and I learned to lean on the people around me.鈥�
For Katie, the most meaningful part of the program was the community she found within it.
Shown left: Katie, front centre, with fellow classmates.
鈥淭he graduating class of 2025 is full of brilliant, passionate individuals. I learned from them every day 鈥� their perspectives, drive, and enthusiasm inspired me to grow as both a professional and a person.鈥�
She also found inspiration and mentorship in the faculty, particularly Dr. Eric Rapaport, who supported her independent research on how Canadian courts interpret 鈥渁dequate shelter鈥� in the context of encampment evictions.
鈥淗is mentorship positioned me to undertake this research with confidence and enthusiasm,鈥� she says.
Outside the classroom, Katie鈥檚 co-op with Tim Welch Consulting allowed her to support non-profits planning and funding affordable housing projects in Nova Scotia and Ontario 鈥� experience she describes as a major highlight.
Planning with empathy and vision
Katie鈥檚 foundation in social work continues to inform her values and vision as a planner.
鈥淧lanning is about looking ahead toward sustainable growth, change, and new possibilities for our communities,鈥� she explains. 鈥淎t the same time, social work taught me to always look back and ask: who might be getting left behind?鈥�
Real change happens when we work across difference with humility and care
This dual lens 鈥� combining systems thinking with real-world equity concerns 鈥� has shaped how she approaches planning today. 鈥淲e don鈥檛 do this work alone,鈥� she says. 鈥淩eal change happens when we work across difference with humility and care.鈥�
That ethos will guide her in her new role as a policy consultant with Turner Drake & Partners, where she鈥檒l continue to work at the intersection of housing development, policy, and community planning.
鈥淚鈥檓 excited to keep helping communities and individuals navigate complex housing challenges鈥攚ith empathy, creativity, and curiosity.鈥�
Advice and gratitude
Katie offers thoughtful advice for new planning students: 鈥淪tay curious and connected to the world around you. Follow the news from multiple sources. Pay attention to what鈥檚 being built, how people move through space, and what challenges and opportunities your community is facing.鈥�
鈥淟ean on your classmates and professors,鈥� she adds. 鈥淪ome of the best learning happens outside of class. You鈥檒l get as much out of the program as you put in 鈥� but don鈥檛 forget to rest and have fun.鈥�
As she reflects on graduation, Katie feels immense gratitude for her time in the program. 鈥淭his experience reaffirmed that growth is always possible and that meaningful change doesn鈥檛 happen in isolation. Earning a Master of Planning and continuing this work in housing is a profound privilege 鈥� one that means more to me than I can say.鈥�