Group Z
World Setting
Year
2034
City
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Overview
Our new world is set in the Toronto of 2034 - ten years into the future, but what feels like a lifetime away. The city has a familiar energy to today, with the iconic CN Tower still gracing the skyline, though there is a marked increase in the density of high-rise buildings spreading outward from the city centre as the purchase of a fully-loaded "smart" condo in the sky has more appeal to many than the prospect of renovating an older "dumb" home. Familiar challenges of housing, transit, and climate persist, though incremental strides have been made to address them, including the locally-relevant completion of the long awaited Ontario subway line. The streets have seen a gradual decline in commuters - certainly by car - but by foot and bicycle as well, as Toronto adapts to a world where work, socializing, and education - in particular - have become increasingly remote and interconnected. New and more accessible technologies - like virtual reality - bridge the gap between physical and digital life, weaving the city into a networked hub where once distinct neighbourhood lines (a former Hallmark of the 6ix) have blurred and blended somewhat seamlessly with global communities.
State of Society
Political Climate
The political landscape is marked by tension between tradition and transformation - the swinging of the political pendulum from one extreme to another has persisted, with less tolerance for middle-ground grey. The government is grappling with balancing the needs of increasingly diverse urban populations, while addressing the persistent challenges of housing affordability, wealth inequality (which is becoming more pronounced and visible as the digital divide rises to the surface of nearly every interaction at home, work, and school), and climate change. Public trust in traditional political institutions remains fragile, and grassroots political movements are becoming more popular and gaining steam at an increased rate given the advanced digital platforms available to connect those who, 10 years ago, would not normally have been connected. In particular, these grassroots movements are looking for far more transparency and accountability from their elected leaders. Global issues like climate change, cybersecurity, and AI regulation are regular topics on the domestic political agenda - local, provincial, and federal - as leaders find themselves navigating these interconnected challenges. Youth of 2034 have a more vested interest and involvement in civic engagement overall, as new technologies have allowed them the ability to participate more directly, reshaping what it means or looks like to be politically active. Youth voting is at an all-time high as Gen Alpha seeks to drive Toronto toward a future that truly reflects their priorities for equity, innovation, and sustainability.
Social Justice
Social justice is a central force of the political landscape of 2034. Historically marginalized communities have increased access to more advanced communication tools to help amplify their voices, expose systemic inequities, and demand change in real time. However, technical advancements in AI and surveillance technologies (see surveillance section below) have the possibility to be weaponized by government to suppress perceived dissent. This isn't necessarily a new practice in 2034, but rather a practice that is slowly becoming more prevalent in Western society.