Belonging, Inclusion, and Community

Equity, diversity, inclusion, and reconciliation are central to building a healthy, connected city. A truly strong community is one where every person can see themselves, feel they belong, and participate fully in civic life. That means listening to lived experience, removing barriers, advancing accessibility, strengthening our relationships with the Squamish and Tsleil-Waututh First Nations, and ensuring our policies, services, programs, and public spaces reflect the diversity of the people who call this city home. This work is at the heart of our vision to become the Healthiest Small City in the World — because health is also about dignity, opportunity, safety, culture, connection, and belonging. When people feel respected, represented, and included, our whole city is stronger.

Since being elected Mayor, we have:

  • Created the first Poverty Reduction Strategy, with all local and indigenous governments on the North Shore
  • Introduced Solution Navigators as a new resource to support people cycling out of poverty
  • Approved the Community Wellbeing Strategy and Engagement Strategy
  • Convened and I Chaired the North Shore Homelessness Action Initiative
  • Continued to build and improve relationships with both Squamish and Tsleil-Waututh First Nation Councils and the broader indigenous communities
  • Advanced reconciliation within the City 
  • Endorsed the City’s EDI Action Plan
  • Certified, and re-certified, as a Living Wage Employer
  • Partnered with the Squamish Nation, the Orange Shirt Society to deliver the Every Child Matters crosswalk  
  • Delivered the first North Shore Pride Crosswalk
  • Hosted the Polygon Gallery’s Mayor’s Gala and raised over $1 Million dollars over 5 years for their Child, Youth and Family Programs ensuring every child has access to the arts and arts programming
  • Initiated the Mayor’s Food Bank Challenge partnered with the Greater Vancouver Food Bank and raised close to $1 Million dollars to support food security