Sustainable Region Initiative

The Future of the Region Sustainability Dialogues and Sustainability Community Breakfasts are outreach components of Metro Vancouver’s Sustainable Region Initiative. They involve a series of high-profile debates and discussions intended to help decision makers shape the future of the region by presenting a range of views and stimulating fresh thought on regional issues such as housing, industry, labour and immigration, drugs and crime, regional economy, transportation, energy and agriculture. Please check the web site often to find out about future dialogues in your community.

Sustainability Dialogues: Paying For Our Cities
By most accounts, the Metro Vancouver region is in an enviable position – renowned for its livability, natural beauty and pursuit of a sustainable future. Yet, the pressure to compete in a global economy combined with a growing population, expanding cities, and aging infrastructure is creating significant regional challenges for local governments and citizens. Services that keep people healthy, safe and active every day – such as transit systems, parks, playgrounds, clean drinking water, recycling services, garbage disposal and waste reduction – are costly. They need infrastructure that must be maintained, renewed and replaced over time. But who pays and how? Are increases in property taxes, user fees or government transfers in the form of grants the answer? And if so, what is the role of different levels of government in easing the burden on citizens? Are there other roles to be played by businesses? What might be the full range of financing and design strategies that can keep our region healthy, safe, livable and sustainable? The latest in our Future of the Region Sustainability Dialogues will feature, among others, representatives of the Canada West Foundation, the Federation of Canadian Municipalities, Translink, KPMG Management Consulting, and locally elected officials. Check online (http://www.metrovancouver.org/region/dialogues/Pages/default.aspx) for details as additional panellists are confirmed. They take place at the following locations and times:

 

Vancouver –  Tuesday, April 9, 2013
11:30 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. (lunch from 11:30 a.m. to 12:00 noon)
Morris J Wosk Centre for Dialogue
580 West Hastings Street
Register at http://apps2.metrovancouver.org/sustainability/Smailing_list/EventRegistration.asp?EventID=187

 

South of the Fraser – Wednesday, April 10, 2013
3:30 – 6:00 p.m. (light refreshments from 3:30  to 4:00 p.m.)
Eaglequest Coyote Creek Golf Club
7778 – 152nd Street, Surrey
Register at http://apps2.metrovancouver.org/sustainability/Smailing_list/EventRegistration.asp?EventID=188

 

North Shore – Tuesday, April 16, 2013
11:30 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. (lunch from 11:30 a.m. to 12:00 noon)
Eagles Hall
170 West 3rd, North Vancouver
Register at http://apps2.metrovancouver.org/sustainability/Smailing_list/EventRegistration.asp?EventID=189

 

Central Northeast – Wednesday, April 17, 2013
3:30 – 6:00 p.m. (light refreshments from 3:30  to 4:00 p.m.)
Executive Plaza Hotel and Conference Centre
405 North Road, Coquitlam
Register at http://apps2.metrovancouver.org/sustainability/Smailing_list/EventRegistration.asp?EventID=190

 

These dialogues are a key component of Metro Vancouver’s Sustainable Region Initiative, and are intended to help the citizens of Metro Vancouver shape the future of the region by presenting a range of views to challenge and stimulate discussion on significant regional issues. Metro Vancouver’s view is that the exploration of new and innovative approaches to regional issues by a broad spectrum of interested stakeholders is fundamental to the ongoing livability and sustainability of our region, and your participation in these dialogues is encouraged and greatly valued.