by John YoungA group of community leaders came together at Vancouver Island University’s Powell River campus on Tuesday, December 15.
The purpose of the meeting was to pick up where the 2014 Groundswell conference left off as a new project, Tapping the Groundswell, moves into high gear. The project will produce a practical and aspirational social plan for Powell River.
City of Powell River and Powell River Regional District have a number of plans underway for economic and sustainable development and service provision. It is a great deal of good work that addresses many of our challenges while celebrating all that is right with this remarkable place.
But Powell River has never had a social plan.
In part, that is because senior levels of government, provincial and federal, have traditionally been responsible for a wide range of social-policy priorities such as social housing, addressing child poverty, ensuring accessibility to vibrant public services for all citizens and substantively advancing the vital work of reconciliation with first nations.
Senior levels of government have moved away from what are sometimes called their “mandated responsibilities” and that has left town and city councils across Canada dealing with the fallout.
Powell River is a town in transition. We have many elders at the same time as we have newcomers (such as myself) arriving; people who love the beauty of the Sunshine Coast and the rare magic of a close-knit community.
A number of projects and initiatives are emerging in ways that could significantly impact community life, including a new university that could bring thousands of new students to town.
Amidst all of these currents, it makes sense to honestly and wisely address the changes that are already here while planning for those that might come.
How do we ensure Powell River retains and enhances its well-earned reputation as a friendly, welcoming, affordable place to live?
How do we guarantee those with few resources are able to live lives of dignity; safely housed and completely integrated in every part of community life?
How do we welcome many newcomers in the event they do come?
How do we address the fears and judgments that some of us may have as an old way of life becomes a new way of life?
How do we become ever better neighbours and friends with the Tla’amin (Sliammon) First Nation as it moves to full self-government and treaty implementation in April?
These are just some of the questions that Tapping the Groundswell will explore and seek to answer through a series of community consultations, including a conference at Powell River Recreation Complex on April 1 and 2.
City council is supportive of the work we have just begun and it is our hope that we are able, along with as many Powell River residents as possible, to provide a clear, concise, wise, practical and aspirational plan at the conclusion of our project in June.
John Young is the project coordinator for Tapping the Groundswell, a project of Powell River Diversity Initiative.
