Affordable housing policy – one size doesn’t fit all
by Dan Wilson, Whistler Centre for Sustainability Creating more affordable housing in British Columbia is a hot topic these days, and many communities and individuals in BC appreciate the renewed focus on this issue from both the provincial and federal governments....
read more
Encouraging, Supporting and Inspiring Indigenous Entrepreneurs from the Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Líl̓wat Stl’atl ́imc Nations
The Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Líl̓wat Stl’atl ímc Business Start-up Program (SLSBSP) has eleven participants elbows deep in the hard work of developing their businesses. The program, being spearheaded by the Whistler Centre for Sustainability in partnership with the Squamish...
read more
Regional food task force identifies actions for immediate implementation
In the fall of last year, the Centre convened a regional Food Task Force with the goal of gathering expertise and ideas for collaborative action to advance region-wide initiatives for food system sustainability. This project builds on existing plans and policies,...
read more
Building Sustainable Communities: Innovation Through Collaboration
The 7th Annual Building Sustainable Communities: Innovation Through Collaboration conference is on November 21-24, 2017 at the Delta Grand in Kelowna, BC. Hosted by the Fresh Outlook Foundation (FOF) this highly acclaimed and hugely popular event draws people from all...
read more
Alberta, elections are finished, now get everyone moving in the same direction!
If you’re welcoming in a new, or predominantly new, Council, getting everyone working as a team and moving in the same direction is critical. In addition to Council orientation that is typically done, strategic planning is another key undertaking to get your team...
read more
Upcoming Workshops: Building Knowledge and Capacity for Affordable Housing in BC Small Communities
Is your community facing an affordable housing crunch? Do you have some good policies in place but aren't sure how to move forward? Affordable housing remains a challenge for communities large and small throughout BC. Although the magnitude of affordable housing...
read more
Nicolette Richer – From Social Venture Challenge to Dragons’ Den
Nicolette Richer has found her purpose. She loves being a social entrepreneur and can’t imagine doing anything else. She sees no differentiation between work, life and play anymore and every day she wakes up excited, energized and inspired. She claims that the hardest...
read more
Social Venture Challenge 2017 Pitch Event Winner: Gear Share Hub!
The average Canadian has $4,000 worth of ‘stuff’ sitting idle in their home, 80% of which gets used less than once per month. Keith Hammermeister presented these staggering stats during a convincing pitch for his venture Gear Share Hub during the Social Venture...
read more
Building Capacity in BC’s Small Communities for Affordable Housing
Affordable housing remains a challenge for communities large and small throughout BC. While almost all communities in BC have policies in their Official Community Plans (OCPs) supporting the development of affordable housing, implementation of these policies and...
read more
Baby boomers are entering their 70s. Is your community age-friendly yet?
Seniors now account for 18% of BC’s population, and for some small BC communities the proportion is closer to 30%. And while the definition of ‘senior’ seems to be changing and up for debate, one thing is for sure: we’re all aging. And baby boomers – the largest...
read more
Growing the local economy: Our 2017 Social Venture Challenge wraps up
Is it possible to grow the local economy, support new entrepreneurs, protect the environment and do good for the community? The Centre created the Social Venture Challenge to do exactly that. We’ve just wrapped up the program for the third year in the Sea to Sky...
read more
Social Venture Challenge Success Story – Ski Heaven Diverts Over One Metric Tonne of Waste from the Landfill
Any skier who has thrown out an old pair of skis can appreciate the pain involved in the process. A non-skier might think “what’s the big deal?”, but a skier knows that a simple pair of skis can represent innumerable mountain memories… laughter, tears, joy, awe,...
read moreHousing Needs Assessment Funding
Unions of BC Municipalities (UBCM) announced the Housing Needs Report Program. Applications are due May 31, 2019 and November 29, 2019. For help with your application, contact us today.