October 2023 Forum Review
Fifty-three elected officials, staff and observers gathered in the Longhouse at the Squamish Lil’Wat Cultural Centre in Whistler, Friday, October 13th, 2023, for the Howe Sound Community Forum hosted by the Resort Municipality of Whistler.
The Forum began with a territorial welcome from Sḵwx̱wu7mesh Úxwumixw member Tsawaysia, Dominique Nahanee, and Council member Joyce Williams. Whistler Councillors Morden, Ford, and Jewitt, stepping in for the Mayor, welcomed everyone and provided an overview of the community.
Following a summer of drought, threats of wildfire and affordability, there was not nearly enough time for all the news. Representatives from the Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Uxwumixw, municipalities of Whistler, Squamish, West Vancouver, Gibsons, Bowen Island and Lions Bay, plus regional areas of West Howe Sound, Sunshine Coast Regional District, Squamish Lillooet Regional District and the Gambier Island Local Trust Area, gave short updates on actions and issues in their communities. Jordan Sturdy, MLA West Vancouver Sea to Sky and Patrick Weiler, MP West Vancouver/Sunshine Coast/Sea to Sky, shared relevant news.
Ruth Simons summarized the activities of the Ocean Watch Action Committee since the April forum held in Gibsons and the collaborative efforts of several groups present in the room. Marie Rupisan, Fisheries Management Officer, Marine Conservation Targets, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, provided an update on the status of the Glass Sponge Reef/Rockfish Conservation Area realignment delay to early 2024.
Attendees enjoyed networking over lunch and visiting the exhibits at the SLCC Cultural Centre.
Dr. Ellen Flournoy, Regional Manager for Squamish Valley at Capilano University, gave an overview of the next steps for Capilano University following the purchase of Quest University. Meetings with the community are underway, gathering information to help shape curriculum and serve the community.
Ruth Simons provided an update from the Howe Sound Biosphere Region Initiative Society. September marked the second anniversary since UNESCO designation. The Nchu’ú7mut/Unity Plan is drafted and available for review. Recruitment to the Roundtable has begun, and following the Forum in April, nominees to the Roundtable from the SLRD and SCRD have been put forward. More information can be found here.
In support of biodiversity conservation goals, Andrew Banks explained the collaboration with the Biosphere to support local governments by registering conserved and protected lands that would contribute toward BC and Canada’s commitment to Target 3. Murray Journeay with the Squamish Environment Society shared an overview of Finding Refuge, the Wildlife Connectivity Project and work towards a Biodiversity Conservation strategy.
Karen Elliott, GM of Community Engagement and Cultural Services at RMOW, shared Whistler’s experience engaging the community in imagining Whistler’s future. The successful engagement, the Whistler Sessions, is encouraged as a model for the communities to consider four scenarios in the future and their roles. This was followed by roundtable discussions on Communicating with the Community in these Complex times. Summaries of the three questions discussed can be read here.
The District of West Vancouver will host the next Howe Sound Community Forum in April 2024.
