Michael's Musings

Creating a Vision for Viable Sustainable Communities

By Michael J Morris

The Columbia Basin Rural Development Institute recently released its 2013 State of the Basin report, which serves as a benchmark to increase understanding and promote discussion in the region, according to Dr. Terri Macdonald, regional innovation chair.

In a report in Kootenay Business, Dr. Macdonald said, "“The goal is to benchmark and increase our collective understanding of well-being in the region and to promote discussion on where we are at and where we might want to go. In this report we provide a picture of this region at a given moment in time in a report that explores economic, social, cultural and environmental conditions and trends.”

The report contains valuable information that will enable community leaders, including municipal councils and school boards, businesses, investors, non-profits and individuals to make decisions that will enhance the work already being done to make the region stronger, according to the Kootenay Business story. 

"Working on the four pillars of the region – economic, social, cultural and environmental – the report gauges issues like the business climate, consumer confidence and a breakdown of growth sectors. It also explores areas like traffic volumes on regional highways, high school completion rates in each community and volunteer trends. Many aspects of life in the Columbia Basin are touched on in the report."

I have not worked my way through the entire report but decided to share a snapshot of some of its findings most particularly because 2014 is a municipal election year in British Columbia, and it provides valuable information that may very well form the basis for a healthy discussion and creation of a a vision for viable sustainable communities.

Here are some findings:

Although in 2013 the region experienced job growth for the second year in a row, what does the future hold, especially in terms of keeping young people in their communities.  In the key demographic of 19-24 year olds, the population of has declined by 23% in the last 2 years -- not a good sign

Also, most School Districts have experienced decreased enrollment over the last five years -- certainly not good news, but I hear very little about how this reality is being addressed, other than 20th century attitudes towards education. And, in interests of full disclosure, I taught at the secondary and post-secondary levels for 32 years.

The report notes that Seniors are expected to comprise 25% of the region’s population over the next 10 years and having joined that group, I would respectfully suggest that, at least in Cranbrook, the community is not well prepared. More on that one at a later date!

It notes that 86% of residents believe the water from their tap is safe to drink while 79% of dwellings are occupied by those who reside here at least 6 months a year. That indicates 21% are spending time elsewhere, not fully contributing to their local economy.

Over 4,000 residents visited a food bank in March 2012, sad news, but seemingly a reality of our times.

Half of the residents volunteer which I suppose is positive but seems low to me.

One in 3 residents say that the culture in the region is a significant reason why they live here and 1 in 4 residents have volunteered for a cultural initiative over the past year. Seems low.

Perhaps the most positive news in the snapshot was that 92% of residents feel that spending time outside is important to their quality of life.

The Columbia Basin Trust transferred responsibility of the State of the Basin initiative in 2011 when a partnership was created with Selkirk College to create the Columbia Basin Rural Development Institute.

“The release of the 2013 report is really just the beginning of our work at the RDI,” says Dr. Macdonald. “We now look forward to working with communities to support their efforts in using this data.”

For more information I encourage you to visit cbrdi.ca, to sign up for the RDI e-newsletter, and to explore the full text of the long report and the snapshot report. Access to the online survey can also be found using the links from the homepage.

My email is mj.morris@live.ca

Full disclosure: I am not now and never have been a member of the Citizens for a Livable Cranbrook Society; however, I did conduct a workshop for its members for which I was paid.