District of Squamish endorses a 'Just Recovery'

After hearing from a delegation of Squamish residents, District council endorsed principles that have been espoused by an advocacy movement sweeping the country.

In a unanimous vote on July 21, elected officials promised to ensure that Squamish's bounce back from the COVID-19 pandemic would be based on "Just Recovery" principles that have been endorsed by hundreds of organizations throughout Canada.

During the meeting, the Squamish chapter of the Just Recovery movement — which consists of climate writer Nick Gottlieb, river scientist Daphnee Tuzlak and social scientist Heather Mann — urged council to abide by five values.

For recovery efforts, the group is asking the municipality to put people first; recognize the interdependence of societal, economic and planetary welfare; include the marginalized; create a resilient circular local economy; and empower the community to be part of the process.

These values, which were recommended by the Squamish chapter, are largely based on the principles endorsed by the national organizers of Just Recovery.

"By endorsing these principles, we think that the District can both lead our community in its commitment to a just recovery and join a nationwide movement in signalling to the provincial and federal government what our priorities are," said Tuzlak.

Mayor Karen Elliott said that the values the group outlined had much in common with the District's goals in the Official Community Plan.

"I think that the direction that we're already taking in considering our recovery are aligned with these principles," Elliott said.

"I think the recovery is an all-community effort, and certainly, not all the ideas will come from city hall. I believe that innovation often comes outside these four walls...and I won't put all of that responsibility on the District in endorsing these principles. I think that we have always tried to reach outside these four walls and collaborate with others to find solutions, and I think that will be part of our way of working for many years to come."