Community Activities

Community Forums

Beginning in December 2007, the Social Planning Council has been organizing and holding forums in each of the neighbourhoods that make up Squamish. The first was in Downtown, followed by forums in Brackendale and Valleycliffe. Garibaldi Highlands will be the next forum in early April 2009, and forums in Northyards and Dentville will follow later in the Spring. The purpose of the forums is to allow residents in each Squamish neighbourhood to discuss three main topics: what they value, what they feel is at risk, and what they and their neighbours can do to work toward a sustainable future for their communities. The forums incorporate mapping and participatory methods to enable all voices to be heard—and there’s always food! The results of the forums will be written up and the results made available through a variety of media and methods, including posting on this website, an article in The Chief, and radio interviews. The Social Planning Council will also produce a written report to be presented to municipal council to ensure that local government is made aware of the forum results. The Social Planning Council’s objective is to inform local planning policies and processes and to work toward the development of a strategic social plan for Squamish.

The Squamish Mapping Group

The Housing Options Group

In collaboration with other local social service agencies and non-profit groups, the Social Planning Council is part of the Housing Options Group, which is working toward the development of affordable housing options for Squamish residents. Currently, the Housing Options Group is working on the development of a housing project for those who are homeless or at-risk of homeless in our community, in cooperation with the District of Squamish and BC Housing. As currently envisioned, the project will house the Helping Hands Drop-in Centre, a permanent shelter facility, and supportive housing.