Livability Study What We Learned Report Sparwood Livability Study - What We Learned Report

Sparwood Livability Study What We Learned Report Sparwood Livability Study - What We Learned Report

Prepared for the District of Sparwood by Intelligent Futures Submitted April 2019 Photos from District of Sparwood unless otherwise noted

District of Sparwood 136 Spruce Ave, V0B 2G0 Sparwood, BC

Contents 2 Executive Summary 4

Section 1 Introduction...... 6 Contents 1.1 What is the Sparwood Livability Study...... 6 1.2 Proccess Overview...... 7 1.3 Environmental Scan...... 8 1.4 About this Report...... 10

Section 2 Sparwood Livability Study Approach...... 12 2.1 Sls Overview...... 12 2.2 Inputs and Indicators...... 12 2.2.1 Inputs...... 12 2.2.2 Indicators...... 13

Section 3 Research...... 14 3.1 Research Approach...... 14 3.2 Research Summary...... 15 3.2.1 Policy...... 15 3.2.2 Resource Jurisdictions...... 17 3.2.3 Livability Research and Measurement Precedents..... 18

Section 4 Sparwood Livability Study Engagement.... 21 4.1 Engagement Overview...... 21 4.2 What We Asked...... 21 4.3 Engagement Strategy Implementation...... 22 4.3.1 Engagement Response Overview...... 24 4.4 Who Did We Hear From?...... 24 4.5 How is Sparwood Doing?...... 26

Section 5 Focus Areas...... 27 5.1 Focus Area Development...... 27 5.2 Draft Focus Areas...... 27 A. Social Engagement & Cohesion...... 27 B. Environmental Sustainability...... 30 C. Healthcare...... 32 D. Economy...... 35 E. Education...... 37 F. Mobility...... 38 G. Housing...... 40 H. Recreation...... 42 I. Social Space...... 44

Section 6 Citizen Aspirations...... 46

Section 7 Our Next Steps...... 47

Section 8 Bibliography...... 48

3 Sparwood Livability Study - What We Learned Report Executive Summary Overview

The Sparwood Livability Study

The goal for the District of Sparwood’s Livability Study (sls) is to understand, improve and monitor the quality of life for the residents of Sparwood. A collaborative effort by The District of Sparwood, and the local community, the sls development will take place from January through June 2019. It’s primary focus is to identify specific, contextual livability focus areas and accompanying goals and indicators, but it will also help inform community planning and development activities in coming years. By laying the foundation for a more strategic approach to the collaborative identification and manifestation of community priorities and values, the sls will support the achievement of a safe, sustainable and positive future in Sparwood.

The intended audience for this study includes the residents of Sparwood, as well as those who work in and visit the community but live elsewhere.

A comprehensive community engagement process is a key component of this study. Community members have been given numerous opportunities to share their insights on what they value most about Sparwood, how to best measure the community’s quality of life, and ways to ensure residents have an outstanding quality of life well into the future.

This What We Learned report summarizes the research and engagement findings from Phase One, as well as related insights that have surfaced during the project team’s exploration of the context, issues and relevant data that inform community wellbeing in Sparwood.

A variety of research and engagement approaches informed this report, including consultant immersion in Sparwood, feedback from an engagement sounding board placed in various locations throughout the community, a questionnaire, pop-up engagement sessions, subject matter expert interviews (Chamber of Commerce President, Community Health Facilitator, etc.), and several interactive stakeholder workshop (see more detail regarding engagement tactics in Section 4.3). To ensure that the sls is both locally informed and rooted in contemporary, relevant thinking and practice related to the field of livability, the team’s desk research focused on livability definitions, indicators and actions from academia, institutions and other jurisdictions, as well as the local Sparwood context and current state of livability.

The report is structured in seven parts: • Section 1 offers relevant background information related to the sls and this What We Learned report • Section 2 describes the underlying project approach • Section 3 relays the research findings • Section 4 describes the engagement approach taken • Section 5 is a discussion of key insights, themes and highlights that emerged from research and engagement • Section 6 is summarizing highlights related to citizen solutions • Section 7 talks to the next steps in the sls project

Executive Summary 4 Phase Two and Phase Three of the process will be focused on further consultation with Sparwood’s residents, subject matter experts and Council. This will allow the project team to hone in on the specific elements of livability upon which the community should focus. There will also be an opportunity during these phases to plan for the future, by considering current performance, goals and progress measurement plans for each livability focus area.

The end result of these phases will be a comprehensive, community-owned livability study that offers:

• A baseline assessment of the current state of livability in Sparwood • A ‘Made in Sparwood’ livability definition • Livability focus areas, goals and indicators informed by research and engagement • Recommendations related to progress measurement and solution development

The engagement activities that took place in Phase One included input from residents and workers of Sparwood, tourists, District of Sparwood staff, local subject matter experts and the sceeac. Connecting with nearly 1200 stakeholders in total.

Focus Areas

Engagement responses provided a comprehensive, community-focused picture of the common needs, desires and challenges facing Sparwood residents, workers and visitors. All feedback received during the engagement process was reviewed by the consulting team, including questionnaire answers and comments, verbal feedback and ideas generated during in-person conversations, interviews, workshops, meetings, and sounding board comments. These inputs from community members were compiled and coded over a period of two weeks, resulting in over 9000 ideas related to livability, that informed the focus areas. These themes—informed by an extensive coding process and a number of other inputs (see Section 2.2)—were then grouped into focus areas and reviewed to ensure they are relevant to Sparwood and appropriate given academic and best practice research.

The focus areas that the project team has identified as being the most critical for maintaining and improving livability in the Sparwood Context are as follows:

• Social Engagement and Cohesion • Mobility • Environmental Sustainability • Housing • Healthcare • Recreation • Economy • Social Space • Education

5 Sparwood Livability Study - What We Learned Report Section 1 Introduction

1.1 What is the Sparwood Livability Study?

The intended audience for this study includes the residents of Sparwood, as well as those who work in and visit the community but live elsewhere.

Section 1: Introduction 6 opportunities to participate, sharing their unique perspectives and priorities. As such, engagement opportunities will continue to be available throughout the sls process.

1.2 Process Overview

The Sparwood Livability Study is being managed by The District of Sparwood, with support by Teck Resources. The study is guided by the requirements of Condition 21 of the Provincial Government’s Environmental Assessment Certificate #M16-01, which is related to Teck’s Baldy Ridge Extension (BRE) project. This extension of the mining area and activities on Sparwood’s Baldy Ridge will increase the operation’s disturbance area by 862 hectares, and will bring Teck Resources Ltd. mining operations closer to the community of Sparwood than ever before. The extension will also allow for mining activities and associated job creation to continue within the Elk Valley region for an additional 25 years as the operation’s production capacity will be expanded by 6.8 million tonnes/year.1

As part of the environmental approval for the Baldy Ridge Extension, the Province of The District of Sparwood’s Socio-Community British Columbia’s Environmental Assessment Office (EAO) has included Condition and Economic Effects Advisory Committee 21 in an effort to better understand and monitor the social and economic affects the (SCEEAC) is made up of councillors, Teck expansion could have on Sparwood’s residents, visitors and businesses. This condition staff and several representative community has led to the development of this study, as well as the launch of The District of members from a number of different Sparwood-led Socio-Community and Economic Effects Advisory Committee (sceeac). backgrounds. The SCEEAC’s mandate is to: • Make recommendations to Council and While Condition 21 is focused on supporting increased understanding and improved Teck for consideration with respect to management of the quality of life effects of open pit mining operations, the undertaking implementing Condition 21; of the sls also represents a new strategic direction for The District of Sparwood, Teck • Provide a broad community voice; and local organizations and residents. Once complete, the sls will clearly articulate • Act as a two-way conduit between the community’s shared goals, needs and desires related to wellbeing, informing the Teck Elkview Operations, The District of actions that need to take place to make Sparwood the most livable town it can be. Sparwood and citizens – and to build trust between all three groups; Through best practice research, the analysis of existing livability studies in comparable • Advise on engaging the broader communities and extensive consultation within the community, the sls will result in a community of Sparwood; customized, innovative and responsive approach that meets the specific needs of the • Review results for other Management Sparwood community in general and the Baldy Ridge Extension project in particular. Plans related to the BRE; • Assist in identifying on-going socio- The sls is being developed using a three-phase approach, including: community impacts and possible solutions for adaptive management • Phase One: Orientation and Analysis, December 2018 to March 2019: This phase has been focused on undertaking extensive research related to Sparwood’s local context (via comprehensive public engagement) and the concept of livability in general. Insights from academia, institutions and other jurisdictions have been combined with the citizen feedback to gain insights on the current state of livability in Sparwood, and the livability indicators that may best suit Sparwood’s priorities and context. • Phase Two: Development of Livability Definition and Indicators, April 2019 to May 2019: The second phase of the SLS has been designed to allow for a period of focused review. An iterative process will allow the public, city council and project team members to provide feedback to the consulting team on the draft livability focus areas, and any other recommendations that resulted from the research and engagement inputs in Phase One. A draft definition, goals and indicators associated with each focus area will also be developed during this phase.

1 District of Sparwood. 2016. Livability. Accessed March 20, 2019. https://www.sparwood.ca/livable. & Province of British Columbia. 2019. Baldy Ridge Extension - Environmental Assessment. Accessed March 20, 2019. https://projects. eao.gov.bc.ca/p/baldy-ridge-extension/detail.

7 Sparwood Livability Study - What We Learned Report • Phase Three: Feedback and Completion, May 2019 to July 2019: The final phase of the SLS is focused on improving and refining the focus areas, goals and indicators, resulting in a comprehensive plan that will inform decisions related to livability in Sparwood for years to come, as well as act as a baseline from which future progress can be measured. The finalsls will be approved by The District of Sparwood.

Once the sls is complete, The District of Sparwood will work with key partners (Teck, other levels of government, business, the nonprofit sector and the public) to continue to measure livability in Sparwood, and to take actions toward realizing Sparwood’s livability goals.

1.3 Environmental Scan

A thorough review of the local context has been completed in order to ensure the Sparwood Livability Study meets the specific and evolving needs of the community. This contextual scan will influence all stages of thes ls, ensuring that recommendations and strategies are customized to meet local realities.

Geography and Place The District of Sparwood is located at the heart of the Elk Valley in the East Kootenay region of British Columbia. Sparwood is surrounded by alpine forests, a wide variety of wildlife, beautiful mountains and glacier-fed rivers. Sparwood is also located in the traditional territory of the Ktunaxa Nation, which covers approximately 70,000 km² of southeastern British Columbia and historically included parts of Alberta, Montana, Washington and Idaho.2 riti oumia A self-proclaimed ‘mining town’, the Sparwood area has a rich mining and forestry history, which has largely shaped the stories and identities of community members.3 The fact that Sparwood exists and thrives economically is largely inspired by the enormous amount of metallurgic coal seams found in the surrounding mountains.

Today, Sparwood’s residents and industries support the mining operations of Saroo five nearby mines, all of which are all operated by Teck. The closest of these mines is Elkview Operations (EVO), which includes BRE, is located only two kilometres from the Sparwood townsite.

Town History When coal seams were first discovered in the Elk Valley in the 1800s, development in the region began in earnest. After the Crowsnest Coal Company was founded in 1889, people from across Canada, Europe and beyond began to flock to the region. Needing a place to stay and access basic services, a series of communities sprang up to support coal mining activities. Sparwood settled last and furthest from the mines, with the communities of Michel, Middletown and Natal preceding it, situated directly between the two mountains along Highway 3 that were being actively mined by the Crowsnest Coal Company.4

Designed to house settlers near the mining operations between 1899 and 1938, these communities were challenging places to live. The work was dangerous and the workers and their families endured continual boom and bust cycles that were

2 District of Sparwood. 2016. “Community Profile.” Sparwood. 3 Ibid. 4 Kinnear, John. n.d. Elk Valley Coal News . Accessed March 20, 2019. https://elkvalleycoal.com/history/.

Section 1: Introduction 8 dependent upon coal’s trading prices.5 During the post World-War II industrial boom however, Japan’s increased demand for metallurgical coal resulted in steady growth and prosperity as mining operations in the region continued to boom. The growing coal mines and associated operations eventually infringed on the surrounding communities, and the living conditions became quickly contaminated with mining-related pollution. Sparwood became the focus for a possible ‘‘urban renewal’ landing site, meant to take in residents from the smaller communities nearby.6

Urban renewal schemes were conducted across Canada during the late 1950s to the Urban renewal schemes were conducted late 1960s, focusing on fixing, moving or abolishing towns experiencing urban decay. across Canada during the late 1950s to the “Initially conceived in terms of the problem of bad housing conditions, [urban renewal late 1960s, focusing on fixing, moving or policy] was intended to address the needs of those Canadians who were living in abolishing towns experiencing urban decay. houses that were thought to be unsafe and unhealthy.”7 “Initially conceived in terms of the problem of bad housing conditions, [urban renewal In 1966, the federal, provincial and local governments organized and funded an urban policy] was intended to address the needs of renewal scheme to relocate the residents of Michel and Natal to Sparwood. Although those Canadians who were living in houses grant funding was offered to help with relocation costs, the move occurred right after that were thought to be unsafe and unhealthy.” some major investment in the mining industry in the Elk Valley, resulting in high land prices. When they were forced to move to Sparwood, many Michel/Natal residents struggled to afford new land and housing that was comparable to what they had in their previous villages.8 The relocation did, however, create a more central location in which mine workers could live, and allowed for more services to be centralized in one hub at the centre of all mining operations.9

Economy Sparwood is the central location for mining operations and mining-staff residences in the Elk Valley, with many supporting industries choosing to locate nearby to support mining operations and Sparwood’s townspeople. As a result of both the move and the expansion of mining operations, Sparwood has grown significantly over the years, but the community, its residents and economy remain resource-dependent. While the companies that manage the mines have shifted over the decades, Teck is currently the largest employer in the region, operating five mines in the surrounding region, and employing nearly 5,000 people. Teck’s shift to four-on-four-off scheduling has resulted in a significant increase in transient and temporary residents, as the shift change allows for people to work in the nearby mines for four days, and then return to their home communities for their four days off.10

Tourism is expanding gradually in the region, due largely to the proximity to the neighbouring Fernie and the growing popularity of the East Kootenays region as a recreation destination. Sparwood is expanding the audience for its many outdoor recreation and tourism opportunities, including hiking, biking, camping, fishing and motorsports.11

Demographics • 3,784 people live in the District Municipality of Sparwood. While the overall growth trend has been decreasing by -0.04% per cent per year over the past 15 years,

5 Sparwood 50th Anniversary Committee. 2016. “Sparwood Mining History and Heritage.” Sparwood Celebrating 50 Years 6 Scott, Michael (Director). 1970. _That’s the Price_. National Film Board. 7 Smith, P.J. 1985. Comprehensive Planning Theory and the Urban Renewal Program in Canada. Winnipeg: The Institute of Urban Studies, University of Winnipeg. 8 Scott, Michael (Director). 1970. _That’s the Price_. National Film Board. 9 Ibid. 10 The Districts of Elkford & Sparwood. 2012. “Housing Needs & Demand Assessments.” Sparwood and Elkford. 11 Ibid.

9 Sparwood Livability Study - What We Learned Report Sparwood’s population grew by 117 people between 2011 to 2016.12 • The average age in Sparwood is 39.2. 67.73 per cent of Sparwood’s residents are of ‘working-age population’ (between the ages 15 to 64 years old), while 19.26 per cent are below the age of 15 and 13.2 are above the age of 65.13 • 240 people in Sparwood are visible minorities and 275 people are aboriginal.14 • The 2019 median house price in Sparwood was $292,000, down $14,000 from 2015. Housing is approximately 10 per cent higher than in Elkford, but slightly more than half the cost of housing in Fernie.15 • 73.5 per cent of men in Sparwood are employed, earning a median income of $93,760, while 55.3 per cent of women are employed, earning a median income of $25,963.16 • The median household income in Sparwood is $103,538.17 • One-third of the Sparwood labour force works directly in mining, a rate much higher than surrounding communities.18 The top five categories of employment include: 1. 33.6 per cent mining 2. 8.7 per cent retail 3. 7.5 per cent health care 4. 7.0 per cent construction 5. 5.9 per cent wholesale • In Sparwood, 36 per cent of the population has a post-secondary education (degree, diploma or apprenticeship). This is 10 per cent less than the provincial average of 46 per cent.19

1.4 About this Report

12 Townfolio. 2017. Sparwood, BC. Accessed March 20, 2019. https://townfolio.co/bc/sparwood/demographics. 13 Ibid 14 Ibid. 15 BC Assessment. 2019. Kootenay Columbia 2019 Property Assessments in the Mail. Accessed March 20, 2019. https://info.bcassessment.ca/news/Pages/Kootenay_Columbia_2019_Property_Assessments_in_the_Mail.aspx. 16 Statistics Canada. 2019. 2016 Census - Sparwood, District Municipality. Accessed March 20, 2019. https:// www12.statcan.gc.ca/census-recensement/2016/dp-pd/prof/details/page.cfm?Lang=E&Tab=1&Geo1=CS- D&Code1=5901006&Geo2=PR&Code2=01&Data=Count&SearchText=Low&SearchType=Begins&Search- PR=01&B1=All&TABID=1&. 17 Ibid. 18 Townfolio. 2017. Sparwood, BC. Accessed March 20, 2019. https://townfolio.co/bc/sparwood/labour-force 19 Townfolio. 2017. Sparwood, BC. Accessed March 20, 2019. https://townfolio.co/bc/sparwood/education

Section 1: Introduction 10 The report is structured in seven parts: • Section 1 offers relevant background information related to the sls and this What We Learned report • Section 2 describes the underlying project approach • Section 3 relays the research findings • Section 4 describes the engagement approach taken • Section 5 is a discussion of key insights, themes and highlights that emerged from research and engagement • Section 6 is summarizing highlights related to citizen solutions • Section 7 talks to the next steps in the sls project

During Phase Two, the findings and insights summarized and presented in this report will be shared with the residents of Sparwood, the sceeac, District of Sparwood staff and Sparwood Council. This will ensure the preliminary direction and draft focus areas outlined in this report accurately reflect Sparwood, its residents and their vision for a livable community.

11 Sparwood Livability Study - What We Learned Report Section 2 Sparwood Livability Study Approach

2.1 Sparwood Livability Study Overview

Phase One of the Sparwood Livability Study (sls) was designed, primarily, to ensure that all members of the community had a voice in discussions around livability and quality of life. Considerable efforts were made to unearth and understand local issues and assets, as well as citizens’ hopes for the future. While the sls will be informed by relevant external data and contextual research on livability, it will primarily be rooted in the unique local knowledge that affects the lives of Sparwood’s residents and reflects their definition of livability for Sparwood today. The results of Phase One, outlined in Section 4 and 5 of this report have provided a foundation for the development of the finals ls.

Phase Two and Phase Three of the process will be focused on further consultation with Sparwood’s residents, subject matter experts and Council. This will allow the project team to hone in on the specific elements of livability upon which the community should focus. There will also be an opportunity during these phases to plan for the future, by considering current performance, goals and progress measurement plans for each livability focus area.

The end result of these phases will be a comprehensive, community-owned livability study that offers:

2.2 Inputs and Indicators 2.2.1 Inputs The overarching objective of the sls is to develop contextually relevant and well- rounded livability focus areas, goals and indicators. While the broad activities that occurred to lead toward this objective are research and engagement, numerous ‘inputs’ that inform those activities have been used to create a holistic understanding of the subjects and measures that require focus in the Sparwood context.

Together, these six input factors represent the extent of subject matter that is necessary to consult, understand and connect, in order to build a conceptually adept and contextually relevant livability analysis:

Section 2: Sparwood Livability Study Approach 12 Community Learnings from Consultation Leading Jurisdictions

Inputs from Inputs from Engagement Research

Subject Matter Sparwood Academic and Experts Livability Indicators Institutional Standard

Inputs from Current State Both Local Priorities and Policies

Current State: The current state of livability in Sparwood, as understood through available data, existing indicators and community engagement. Community Consultation The concerns, thoughts, feelings and ideas of the public. Subject Matter Expert (SME) Opinion: Relevant information, thoughts and ideas that emerged during interviews and resource-sharing with local subject matter experts and institutions. Learnings from Leading Jurisdictions: The methodologies used by other towns and cities—either leaders in the field of livability or in jurisdictions with similar context—to set livability goals, measure progress and achieve outcomes. Local Priorities and Policies: The policies at the federal, provincial, and district levels which influence, align with and/or impact livability outcomes. Academic and Institutional Standards: Standards inspired by peer-reviewed and institutional research related to livability.

The inputs have been developed to both guide research and engagement activities in Phase One, and also as a reference point from which to review collected data and develop a balanced and comprehensive list of draft focus areas for the sls (described in Section 5.2).

2.2.2 Indicators To support comprehensive livability performance measurement going forward, The District of Sparwood, with support from Teck, has committed to investing the time and resources required to collect necessary baseline and indicator data to monitor progress toward livability goals.

The indicators that result from the sls will be used to indicate positive or negative trends and facilitate planning and decision making at the community-level during the tenure of the Baldy Ridge Extension. Livability indicators, similar to indicators used to measure progress in a variety of subject realms, “must be measurable and quantifiable using valid data sources, defined explicitly, linked to theory, and be sensitive to changes in public policy.”20 Further, both subjective and objective data are important for informing indicators when it comes to livability, whereby a balance of concrete facts and individual beliefs or perceptions about the local environment are considered in tandem.21

20 Lowe, Melanie et al. May 2013. “Liveable, Healthy, Sustainable: What are the Key Indicators for Melbourne Neighbourhoods?” Research Paper, Place, Health and Liveability Research Program, State Government of Victoria; University of Melbourne. 21 Ibid.

13 Sparwood Livability Study - What We Learned Report The information that has been collected and analysed to inform the draft focus areas presented in Section 5.2, has also laid the foundation for the identification of possible indicators which will be employed to measure the various determinants of livability in Sparwood. Section 3 Research

3.1 Research Approach

The Sparwood Livability Study’s (sls) research approach supports the development of a broad understanding of the leading interpretations and practices related to livability. In addition, the study explores the current reality of livability in Sparwood today.

The following research questions were used to guide data collection and analysis, and to develop a foundation for Sparwood’s draft focus areas presented in Section 5.2:

• How are academia, relevant organizations/institutions and other jurisdictions defining and measuring livability? • How (if at all) is understanding, measuring and improving livability different in mining/ resource communities? • What factors are unique to Sparwood that might influence its livability? • What is currently being measured in Sparwood related to livability, and what does this data tell us?

To answer these questions, a wide range of research methods were employed, including:

• Broad search and analysis of academic and institutional resources, policies and standards focused on livability • An in-depth scan of livability language, policies and strategies employed by other jurisdictions—both those commonly identified as ‘livability leaders’ and those with various contextual similarities to Sparwood • A review of Sparwood-focused news articles, academic reports, documentaries, policies and strategies with livability intersections • Real-time observational livability assessments

A comprehensive range of sources were also consulted to answer Real-Time Livability the research questions, and to inform other investigative and 5 Local Policy engagement activities focused on capturing real-time, contextual Assessments Conducted And Context 10 data. A summary of the sources is detailed here, while a full listed of Precedent Sources Examined consulted documents and jurisdictions is outlined in Appendix A: Communities Livability-Focused Consulted Resources from The consultant team spent more than three weeks in Sparwood Academia and during the research period. This immersion helped expand the Similar-Context Communities Consulted Institutions Consulted59 different perspectives and angles from which the team was able to 32 view, understand and analyze the research being gathered. It also

Section 3: Research 14 led to the development of stronger relationships with local subject matter experts and key stakeholders, and thus a deeper understanding of the stories and meaning behind the data we were collecting.

The research findings that resulted (briefly summarized in Section 3.2 below) support the insights presented in this report, and will also be used as a foundation from which to complete the remaining project phases.

3.2 Research Summary 3.2.1 Policy During Phase One of the sls process, a policy review was undertaken to identify the existing policies and actions that directly or indirectly address livability and quality of life in Sparwood. This review has also helped to identify policy areas where there are gaps in livability focus and planning.

The following section provides a brief overview of the relevant policies reviewed, outlining their basic purposes and points of intersection with livability (See Section 5.2 for more in-depth and specific descriptions of the policies and their relevance with regard to the sls):

District of Sparwood Official Community Plan – 2015 Our Vision In 2035, Sparwood will be a caring, The District of Sparwood Official Community Plan (ocp) is a comprehensive neighbourly and sustainable community with plan outlining the community’s vision and goals, and their associated objectives pride in our natural environment. A unique and policies. The ocp is a municipal bylaw that guides planning and land-use and vibrant downtown will be the social, management, a reflection of Sparwood’s community values, and a road map for cultural and economic heart of our community, meeting Sparwood’s anticipated needs and fulfilling it’s long-term community with opportunities to live, work, learn, shop, vision. The ocp outlines 13 different goals that inform The Plan’s implementation, and play in close proximity. A diverse and that focus on a wide range of social, economic and environmental assets economy will provide a range of jobs and and values held by the community. The ocp has particular relevance in the context services to supplement the mining industry, of livability due to its overarching and cross-sectoral vision and goals, and the which will continue to be our economic wide range of subject matter is addresses that is deeply connected to community lifeblood. A diversity of housing options will well being. allow residents with a range of ages, income levels and lifestyles to live comfortably in District of Sparwood Community Sustainability Plan – 2009 Sparwood through all stages of their lives. A world-class multi-purpose network of trails, The Community Sustainability Plan (csp) is a multi-faceted plan focused on parks, and recreational areas will support an balancing the five pillars of sustainability (social, cultural, environmental, active, healthy, and highly livable community. economic, and governance) in Sparwood. Informed by a local ‘Community Sustainability Advisory Committee’, the csp was developed to act as a community resource, and includes a holistic and contextual view of the community’s current sustainability performance as well as an action plan for the future. The csp highlights a variety of determinants for livability in the community, and gives guidance related to the types of policies and actions that are already addressing them or may work well in the future.

Sparwood Age-Friendly Plan – 2016

The Sparwood Age Friendly Plan was created to support the community to better address it’s aging population and the changing needs of older residents. The Age-Friendly Plan’s goal is to retain retiring workers and attract new residents who want to stay in Sparwood long-term and age in a community that can support them. The plan addresses residents’ concerns related to spending their

15 Sparwood Livability Study - What We Learned Report later years in Sparwood, and provides corresponding recommendations to ensure a high quality of life for current and future seniors. While focused on seniors, a number of The Plan’s recommended strategies and actions have various connections with livability and accessibility for all of Sparwood’s current and future residents.

The Districts of Elkford and Sparwood: Housing Need and Demand Assessment – 2012

The Housing Need and Demand Assessment was completed in 2012 as a collaboration between the communities of Sparwood and Elkford (a community a 20-minute drive to the north of Sparwood that shares many similar characteristics). This study identifies current and emerging housing needs—with a specific focus on affordability and the unique accommodation requirements of contract industrial workers—and provides an increased understanding of currently available housing stock and its associated issues. Further, it provides pointed direction related to addressing the major housing issues in both communities, for local government and other relevant stakeholders. As housing availability and affordability are widely considered to be key livability determinants in any community—the findings of this assessment are foundational for the sls.

District of Sparwood: Parks, Recreation and Cultural Master Plan – 1999

The Parks, Recreation and Cultural Master Plan was developed in 1999, and provides the most up-to-date strategic direction for services and programs in these subject areas. This plan demonstrates the various ways that publicly sponsored parks, recreation and cultural services support citizens and foster a sense of community, and its philosophies, goals and objectives intersect with livability research in a number of different ways.

2019 - 2022 District of Sparwood Strategic Priorities Report

The Strategic Priorities Report, updated every four years, outlines the current council’s topics, possibilities and priorities and is meant to inform The District of Sparwood’s work-plans and decision-making processes throughout the 2019 to 2022 term. This plan provides insight into priority subjects and projects, by assigning specific strategies to specific departments. The focus areas and actions align with the ocp, other active strategies and with numerous livability determinants.

Environmental Assessments Office: Reason for Ministers’ Decision Baldy Ridge Extension Project – 2016

The Baldy Ridge Extension Project report from The Province of British Columbia’s Environmental Assessments Office details the various parameters used to inform the decision to approve Teck’s ‘Baldy Ridge Extension’ request. It outlines the assessment data and recommendation details, and also explores the province’s duty to a) address environmental and socio-economic issues associated with the request, b) provide appropriate consultation with Aboriginal groups, and c) consider other issues relevant to the decision. The socio-economic risks identified in this report are among the key influencing factors that led to thiss ls.

Section 3: Research 16 3.2.2 Resource Jurisdictions The Challenges

While Sparwood has a unique history and context, there are lessons to be learned from the experiences of other resource-based communities in Canada and across the world. Understanding the challenges and solutions of similar communities can contribute to the understanding of livability in Sparwood, highlighting the successes to emulate and the mistakes to avoid. Unless specifically referenced, the following insights were summarized from a review of a range of sources, all of which are detailed in the Livability in Resource Towns or Jurisdictions section of Appendix A of this report.

Resource industries tend to dominate the economy in the regions in which they function— “ ’Boom and bust’ towns tend to experience also influencing the social and environmental realms of life in a range of both obvious rapid economic and population growth during and subtle ways. While they indeed provide significant economic benefits to an times when market conditions for their industry area, they also contribute to the narrowing of the economic base in the jurisdiction or are favourable, yet they often face sudden jurisdictions they support. Since resource prices are dependent on often unpredictable and catastrophic decline (including extensive global markets, economies dependant on a single resource are particularly susceptible job losses, outmigration, disinvestment and to fluctuations in commodity prices. Almost always, this dependency leads to amplified in some cases even town closure) when the ‘boom and bust’ cycles. boom ends.” Roger Hayter, 2008 (“Single Industry Resources Towns”) Communities with a narrow economic base also appear to have fewer opportunities for recovery when a ‘bust’ or economic downturn occurs. Many resource communities are small towns, built to support the extraction of a resource where it lays, which means there is a smaller pool of talent and labour to participate in—and lead—economic recovery efforts. This issue is exacerbated by the national and global trend of increased urbanization, particularly among young people who are looking for varied educational and employment opportunities.

In recent years, a separation of home and work has been seen more often within the resource industry and in resource towns. This means that workers are finding it increasingly convenient to ‘fly-in / fly-out’ of the jobsite, rather than settling near it long term. In these situations, workers reside in the resource community only when they are actively working, often in temporary or shared accommodation. While this set-up may improve the wellbeing of certain individuals, en masse it can contribute to further narrowing of the economic base and less social cohesion in the communities they’re ‘flying in and out of’. The majority sentiment in the community of Sparwood is that the shift toward four-day-on / four-day-off shifts at the nearby mines have resulted in similar impacts.

Depending on the type of resource driving a town’s economy, it’s location and the methods used to extract it, adverse health effects are a common concern for townspeople. When it comes to mining, dust, vibration, blasting, and increased traffic and noise can cause a number of physical and mental health issues, especially for more vulnerable members of the population.22 Finally, environmental degradation resulting from resource extraction processes, can lead to numerous air, soil, and water quality effects, and can also result in soil erosion and biodiversity and habitat loss—amongst other issues.23

22 Institu National De Sante Publique Du Quebec (INSPQ). “Individual and Social Effects of Changes Related to the Resumption of Mining Activity in MAlartic: 2006-2013.” Accessed April 1, 2019. https://www.inspq.qc.ca/en/publications/2115 23 Canadian Mining Innovation Council. “Environmental Analysis of the Mining Industry in Canada. Accessed April 1, 2019. http://www.cmic-ccim.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/HatchScopingReport.pdf. Schmidt, Adrienne. 2014. The effects of coal mining on health in Appalachia: global contect and social justice implications. University of Richmond, UR Scholarship Repository.

17 Sparwood Livability Study - What We Learned Report The Opportunities

While there are significant challenges related to living in and sustaining resource-based communities, stories of successes and failures from around the world have shown that useful approaches do exist to successfully address common issues. Of course, given the complex connections between global and local markets, social wellbeing and community identity, no single solution can improve community resilience. Rather, resource communities determined to lay the foundation for a long, healthy and prosperous future, need to commit to an inclusive, strategic and multi-dimensional approach.

The Sustainability Options for Resource Based Rural Communities notes that a key concept in improving livability is that “development must be rooted in authenticity.”24 This means that while best practice examples and evidence are both helpful and available, solutions must be grounded in the unique aspects of a community, and tailored to align with their specific needs and assets.

For some locales, they can focus on their natural beauty and amenities, or local services. For others, human resources, intelligent infrastructure and tax advantages might be key. Using the novel circumstances and strengths of a community to develop quality of life improvement strategies helps build upon existing strengths and act as a counterbalance to the reliance of the economy on global markets. Building these kinds of solutions can also increase community morale and cohesion whereby “increased community ownership encourages an increase in local patronage, as well as partnerships between local suppliers and services. This networking creates a multiplier effect whereby more money is spent locally and stays in the local economy.”25

Just as no single action can develop and maintain economic diversity in resource communities, no single actor can resolve their unique challenges alone. A collaborative approach between government, industry, entrepreneurs, community organizations and citizens is an absolute requirement when it comes to creating the diverse conditions and solutions necessary to build resiliency and livability. Given the vulnerability of these communities around global commodity prices, research shows a proactive and strategic approach to developing new solutions for quality of life improvements during a boom is more effective than waiting for a bust to occur.

The experience of resource communities across Canada and around the world suggests “Today, Canadian resource-dependent that diversifying the local economy to improve resilience and livability is a daunting towns are less likely to be exclusively prospect. That said, recognizing the challenge, identifying unique local assets and focussed on supporting the local industry mobilizing a diversity of local changemakers can be essential and effective elements to and, instead, have expectations of longevity improving life in resource communities. even if the industry leaves. Many single- industry communities now have a greater sense of permanence in these places and the 3.2.3 Livability Research and Measurement Precedents heightened expectation of...a new future for their community.” Source: Walisser, Brian, What is Livability Brent Mueller, and Celia McLean. 2005. “The Resilient City.” Vancouver Working Until recently, Gross National Product, or GDP, was the most commonly used Group Discussion Paper for the World Urban measurement of a country’s well-being. Upon the realization that economic activity Forum. Vancouver: Ministry of Community alone is an insufficient well-being measure, new indicators began to emerge. Over Aborigional and Women’s Services, time, more and more focus is being placed on non-material measurements of well- Government of British Columbia.

24 Luigi Fusco Girard, Tuzin Baycan and Peter Nijkamp, ed. 2016. Sustainable City and Creativity: Promoting Creative Urban Initiatives. Vol. 2. London: Routledge. 25 Martin, Antonio Ruiz, Manuel Rodríguez Díaz, and José Antonio Ruíz San Roman. 2014. “Measure of the Mining Image.” Resources Policy 41: 23-30.

Section 3: Research 18 being, such as the UN’s ‘Human Development Index’ and the ‘Better Life Index’, introduced by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) in 2011. These indices (and more like them), include dimensions and determinants of well-being that are concerned with a wide range of subjects, such as housing, income, relationships, education, environment and work-life balance. The term commonly used to describe a location that addresses the human needs and determinants of well-being described above, is livability.26

An extensive scan of research and findings reveals that there is currently no definitive definition for livability. Theories and definitions vary widely according to population and location, as do the goals, indicators and actions that accompany them. Best practice encourages communities to develop definitions suited to their specific context and conditions, rather than searching for (or relying upon) a ‘one-size fits all’ general definition that residents may not be able to connect with.27

That said, even though a common definition isn’t practical, there is wide agreement that livability generally refers to the specific and comprehensive ways in which the community environment and its offerings influence the quality of life of residents.28 Furthermore, a livable community is one in which residents experience individual and shared well-being, and is typically a place “where people want to live now and in the future.” 29

Common Determinants

While the specific supports and qualities that each community needs to achieve acceptable livability can differ dramatically, general consensus among most research and practice authorities does exist. Liveable places or communities are widely considered to be “safe, attractive, socially cohesive and inclusive, and environmentally sustainable; with affordable and diverse housing linked to employment, education, public open space, local shops, health and community services, and leisure and cultural opportunities; via convenient public transport, walking and cycling infrastructure.”30 These key determinants align with a number of the commonly accepted social determinants of health which are used to measure well-being in urban areas throughout the world.31

The consulting team’s independent review of more than 82 research documents and 45 cities, supported the identification of several livability determinants that aligned with the consensus referred to above. These key livability-related factors were reviewed in conjunction with the citizen feedback generated in Phase One, and are explored in more detail alongside engagement results in Section 5.2.

Leading Communities

While it is impossible to fairly compare jurisdictions using their own different livability definitions, goals and indicators, a number of independent organizations have

26 Roshina, Irina, and Natalya Artyukhova. n.d. “Social Responsibility, Sustainable Development, Happiness and Well-being of Single Industry Towns’ Population.” III International Scientific Symposium on Lifelong Wellbeing in the World. The European Proceedings of Social & Behavioural Sciences. 27 Texas A&M Transportation Institute. n.d. “Definitions of Livability Handout.” Accessed March 20, 2019. https:// groups.tti.tamu.edu/transit-mobility/files/2013/05/3-Definitions-of-livability-handout.pdf. 28 Giap, Tan Khee, Woo Wing Thye, and Grace Aw. 2014. “A new approach to measuring the liveability of cities: the Global Liveable Cities Index.” World Review of Science, Technology and Sustainable Development 11.2: 176-196. 29 Lowe, Melanie et al., May 2013. “Liveable, Healthy, Sustainable: What are the Key Indicators for Melbourne Neighbourhoods?” Research Paper, Place, Health and Liveability Research Program, State Government of Victoria; University of Melbourne. 30 Ibid. 31 Ibid.

19 Sparwood Livability Study - What We Learned Report developed livability rankings systems and indices of their own to try to rank jurisdictions and their living conditions. Commonly known and utilized indices include the Human Development Index and Better Life Index mentioned above, as well as the Global Liveability Index, The Quality of Living Survey and Canada’s Best Places to Live List. According to these five indices, the global and Canadian livability ‘leaders’ are as follows:

Human Better Life Global Livability Quality of Living Canada’s Best Index Development Index33 Index34 Survey35 Places to Live36 Index32

United Nations OECD The Economist Mercer Macleans Organization Intelligence Unit Jurisdiction Type, Country-Level, Country-Level, City-Level, Worldwide City-Level, Worldwide City-Level, Canada- Geographic Worldwide 2018 Worldwide 2017 2 018 2 019 Wide 2018 Scope, Year

Recreation / Housing / Economic Housing / Income Environment / Wealth and / Jobs / Community Consumer Goods Economy / / Education / Stability / Healthcare / Availability / Public Affordability / What do they Life expectancy / Environment / Civic Culture and environment Services and Transport Population Growth measure? education / income Engagement / Health / / Education / / Political and Social / Taxes / Commute Life Satisfaction / Infrastructure Environment / Natural / Crime / Weather Safety / Environment / Socio- / Access to Health Work-Life Balance Cultural Environment / Care / Amenities / School and Education Culture /Medical and Health Considerations

1. Vienna, Austria 1. Oakville, Ontario 1. Norway 1. Norway 1. Vienna, Austria 2. Zürich, Switzerland 2. Ottawa, Ontario 2. Switzerland 2. Denmark 2. Melbourne, Australia 3. Vancouver, Canada 3. Russell Township, Rankings 3. Australia 3. Australia 3. Osaka, Japan 4. Munich, Germany Ontario 4. Ireland 4. Sweden 4. Calgary, Canada 5. Auckland, New 4. Saint-Bruno-De- 5. Germany 5. Canada 5. Sydney, Australia Zealand Montarville, Que. 5. Lacombe, Alberta

Of course, as with all rankings systems there are flaws with the above indices and the lists they produce. Many scholars, urbanists and citizens living in the ranked jurisdictions themselves have argued that measuring or benchmarking livability is a futile gesture, considering that notions of what makes a place livable are different everywhere. Further, the indicators used by the ranking systems and for whom the

32 United Nations Development Programme. 2018. Human Development Index. Accessed March 20, 2019. http:// hdr.undp.org/en/indicators/137506. 33 Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD). 2018. Better Life Index. Accessed March 20, 2019. http://www.oecdbetterlifeindex.org/. 34 Economist Intelligence Unit . 2018. The Global Liveability Index. Accessed March 20, 2019. https://www.eiu. com/topic/liveability. 35 Mercer. 2019. Quality of Living City Ranking. Accessed March 20, 2019. https://mobilityexchange.mercer.com/ Insights/quality-of-living-rankings. 36 MoneySense. 2018. Canada’s Best Places to Live 2018. Accessed March 20, 2019. https://www.moneysense. ca/canadas-best-places-to-live-2018-create-your-own-ranking/.

Section 3: Research 20 rankings systems are developed—lead to extremely varied results. While some lists are geared toward shifting government policy priorities (ex. The UN’s HDI), others are more focused on fair compensation for expatriates (ex. Mercer’s Quality of Living Survey). Finally, and most importantly when it comes to this report, these indices are typically focused on countries and cities, ignoring smaller jurisdictions and their unique challenges, needs and offerings. Livability indices and the jurisdictions they highlight are instructive to understand the breadth of influencing factors on livability. This can include citizen priorities, innovative policies and programs, and advanced economic and cultural activities. On the other hand, when it comes to assessing and improving livability, it is more important to consider each ordinary citizen and “their multi-dimensional sensibilities towards issues like economic well-being, social mobility, personal security, political governance, environmental sustainability, and aesthetics.” As such, learnings from livability leaders have been inspirational and foundational for this report and the sls in general, but the experiences of the people who live in Sparwood—and other places like it—have been prioritized.

Section 4 Sparwood Livability Study Engagement

4.1 Engagement Overview

The first phase of public engagement for the Sparwood Livability Study took place between January 14 and February 28, 2019, and included both residents of Sparwood as well as people who work and recreate in Sparwood but don’t have a primary residence there. Feedback from community residents was analyzed separately from the input from non-residents in an effort to better understand the livability-related needs and desires of people who could live in Sparwood, but choose not to.

The engagement activities that took place in Phase One also included input from District of Sparwood staff, local subject matter experts and the sceeac.

4.2 What We Asked

While pre-engagement research led to broad, well-being related subject areas from which to shape and start engagement conversations, the overarching goal of engagement was to allow citizens an opportunity to provide open-ended feedback on factors that impact their lives in Sparwood. As such, the engagement questions were purposefully general and open, organized to address four overarching life spheres:

21 Sparwood Livability Study - What We Learned Report health, connection, work and play. This approach allowed for key themes to be revealed naturally, rather than having them imposed or influenced by outside forces.

Further, language and questions were customized for specific audiences, and engagement processes were delivered across multiple platforms and channels, providing many chances for citizens to connect and share information. Below is a snapshot of engagement questions used in the questionaire (see Appendix 4.2 for a complete overview of engagement questions and materials).

What matters to you / impacts you / concerns you when it comes to your health? (This refers to your physical and psychological well-being)

What matters to you / impacts you / concerns you when it comes to your work? (This refers to your purpose and effort, paid or unpaid)

What matters to you / impacts you / concerns you when it comes to your play? (This refers to your enjoyment and recreation)

What matters to you / impacts you / concerns you when it comes to your connections? This refers to your quality of relationships and connections

The sounding board while located at the Recreation Centre.

4.3 Engagement Strategy Implementation

The following section outlines the engagement tactics (tools and activities) which were used to obtain Sparwood-focused livability insights throughout Phase One:

Online and In-Person Questionnaires

Citizens and non-residents who work in or visit Sparwood were encouraged to provide input via an online questionaire (also available in print). The questionnaire was made available online on The District of Sparwood website, as well as in print at a number of community locations (the recreation centre, Save-on-Foods, Lilac Terrace and others). The questionaire included 33 open-ended and likert scale question types, focused on

Section 4: Sparwood Livability Study Engagement 22 gathering information related to “what life is like in Sparwood” and how people in Sparwood/who spend time in Sparwood feel about their well-being/what they need for their well-being to improve. In addition, 13 demographic questions were designed to understand who was participating (see Section 4.4, Who Did We Hear From for more information on questionaire respondents).

To ensure area youth had a chance to participate in the process, an age-appropriate version of the questionnaire was developed for high-school students, that also included a youth-focused section related to education. The questionaire was delivered (in print format) by Sparwood Secondary School staff.

The sceeac was also engaged in a unique way that leveraged their mandate as community representatives. These volunteers were given a ‘state of livability’ questionaire that asked them to evaluate how Sparwood is doing related to various key determinants of livability as determined by research. The purpose of this questionaire was to establish a subjective baseline of livability performance, from which to compare other engagement results and objective data from The District of Sparwood.

Copies of the above questionnaires are available in Appendix B.

Stakeholder Interviews

Throughout the engagement process, interviews were coordinated with key community stakeholders and subject matter experts in various livability-related fields (i.e. health care, economic development, youth services, seniors etc.). This allowed the project team to understand key determinants of livability through both a Sparwood and local expertise lens. These conversations supported a broader and deeper understanding of both the assets and challenges related to living in Sparwood, as well as the current state of well-being.

Stakeholder Interview questions are available in Appendix B.

Sounding Board

A sounding board (a large question board with information about the project and space for people to write responses/ideas) was installed in high-traffic locations to inform and engage the community ‘where they’re at’, out and about in public spaces. The boards were focused on educating passers-by as to the sls and it’s process, while also giving people who didn’t or couldn’t complete the questionaire an open and convenient way to contribute. It also gave people who did complete the questionaire, a space to add new ideas that had sparked since the engagement process began.

Questions asked via the Sounding Board are available in Appendix C.

In-Person Conversations

The engagement process also included drop-in ‘office hours’ that gave citizens a chance to have face-to-face conversations with the project team. These activities were delivered as an attempt to both make the engagement process more personal and connective, and to strike a balance between data breadth and depth. Whereas the questionnaire covered a lot of ground with a lot of participants, the in-person conversations allowed for dialogue and deep dives with a smaller number of people. These office hours were held at the Greenwood Mall and The Recreation Centre

23 Sparwood Livability Study - What We Learned Report throughout January 2019. In-person conversations about livability were also offered by District of Sparwood staff and Council at Winterfest, whereby residents attending the festival could connect one-on-one to learn more about the project and share their insights.

Data Walk Workshops

A ‘Data Walks’ workshop is an interactive engagement tactic that centers around data sharing as a focus for conversing with residents and subject matter experts about specific issues. In Sparwood, the data walks questions were designed to encourage participants to ‘dig deeper’ into key research and engagement data that had surfaced thus far. The workshops offered the opportunity for Sparwood’s residents to share their thoughts and insights related to the early themes that surfaced from the questionnaire, sounding board and in-person conversations. When tensions or trends emerged between the objective (i.e. fact) and subjective responses (i.e. feelings and opinions) related to a data point or theme, the team was able to better understand certain issues and how they might be appropriately and effectively tackled.

Four data walks workshops were held between February 19th and 20th 2019. Two with residents from Sparwood who answered an open call for participation, and two with Grade 8 and 9 students at Sparwood Secondary School.

Workshop data boards used to ground the conversations are available in Appendix C. Themes ranged from housing cost comparisons, to air quality standards, to social and retail establishment gaps.

Promotional Efforts

An extensive promotional strategy related to engagement opportunities was employed to ensure area residents, workers and visitors were aware of the sls in general, the engagement process and the numerous opportunities to have their voice heard. Information was shared using multiple public, non-profit and media resources and outlets, including The District of Sparwood’s website and social media, Teck’s staff communication channels, e-board messaging at the Recreation Centre, radio and newspaper.

A comprehensive list of promotional efforts is available in Appendix E.

4.3.1 Engagement Response Overview

The Phase One process engaged close to 1,200 citizens. The number of responses or points of contact and conversation are detailed below:

• Sounding Board: 45 Responses • Youth questionnaire: 74 Responses • In-Depth Interviews: 9 Participants • sceeac questionaire: 8 Responses • Workshops: 114 Participants • In-Person ‘Office Hours’: 90 Hours • Questionnaires: 823 Responses • Winterfest: 30 Responses

4.4 Who Did We Hear From?

The questionaire also provided the project team with an opportunity to gain more

Section 4: Sparwood Livability Study Engagement 24 demographic information about participants, allowing the project team to better understand the lives and stories of the people who live and work in Sparwood. Key highlights related to questionaire takers include: Participant Age: Primary Residence: 75+ 18-24 Cranbrook Other 65-74 Crowsnest Pass

55-64 Fernie

25-34 Elkford

45-54

35-44 Sparwood

Length of Residence in Sparwood: Length of Employment in Sparwood:

Prefer Not To Answer Prefer Not To Answer 0-5 0-5

20+ 20+

6-10 16-20 6-10 11-15 11-15 16-20

Industry of Employment: Health Care & Social Assistance Educational Services Administration & Support Professional, Scientiﬁc & Technical Services Prefer Not To Answer

Mining All Others

Full questionaire results available in Appendix D.

The insights generated during the engagement activities are foundational in the creation of the sls. Community members are the core collaborators for this study, and

25 Sparwood Livability Study - What We Learned Report the information they’ve shared as a result of this process will be used to inform related policies, programs and decision-making across the community for years to come.

4.5 How is Sparwood Doing?

The aforementioned ‘state of livability’ questionaire was given to the District of Sparwood’s Socio-Community and Economic Effects Advisory Committee (SCEEAC) which includes; councillors, Teck staff and several representative community members from a number of different backgrounds. The questionaire asked members to evaluate how Sparwood is doing’ related to various key determinants of livability as determined by research. Again, providing a subjective baseline of livability performance. The group was asked to respond to 75 questions about Sparwood today. In most instances, there was significant alignment in responses recieved. This ‘state of livability’ temperature check proved insightful to both the draft focus areas and to thinking about the potential measures of activity for evaluation focus areas over time. Notable results from the sceeac evaluation that highlighted levels of disagreement at or above 25% include: • 25 per cent of the sceeac group disagreed with the statement “People in Sparwood feel like they are part of a strong and cohesive community.” • 25 per cent of the sceeac group disagreed with the statement “People in Sparwood are not discriminated against or isolated due to their socio-economic status, religion, race, ethnicity, sexuality, gender or ability.” • 63 per cent of sceeac disagreed with the statement “The air in Sparwood is clean” • sceeac was split 50/50 on their agreement/disagreement with the statement “Sparwood is developing in a way that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs” • 75 per cent of sceeac disagree that “Sparwood will continue to thrive after the mines close” • 50 per cent of sceeac disagree that “Elkview Operations and the Baldy Ridge- Extension will leave our community better than it was before” • 38 per cent of sceeac said they disagreed that “The future population of Sparwood will have reasonable access to primary, secondary and higher education, as well as job training” • 50 per cent of sceeac said they disagreed that “People in Sparwood with physical disabilities and other mobility barriers are supported so they can fulfill their day-today transportation needs” • 38 per cent of sceeac said they disagreed that “There is sufficient and well-maintained active transportation infrastructure in Sparwood i.e. bike lanes, sidewalks, walking paths, etc.” • 75 per cent of sceeac said they disagree that “Transportation limitations (whereby day to day transport is limited or restricted) are not a common concern for people in Sparwood” • 88 per cent of sceeac disagree that “Sparwood has sufficient housing for temporary or non-permanent workers” • sceeac was split 50/50 on their agreement/disagreement with the statement “Sparwood has enough housing for everyone who needs a home” • 63 per cent of sceeac disagreed or were unsure whether “Sparwood has enough subsidized housing for everyone who needs help obtaining a home/place to live” • 88 per cent of sceeac said they agree that “ The parks and public spaces in Sparwood are used as places for people to connect and spend time together/do activities together.

Section 4: Sparwood Livability Study Engagement 26 Section 5 Focus Areas

5.1 Focus Area Development

Questionaire

Sounding Board Themes

Best Practice Themes Focus Areas SCEAAC Decision to include as a Focus Area: Themes •Prominent theme from engagement (heard several times and/or accross multiple sources) Interviews •Research supported (academic, other cities) Themes •Relevant to Sparwood Context (local policy alignment, local subject matter experts, contextual observations, Workshops collaboration with the DoS and Teck)

The focus areas that the project team has identified as being the most critical for maintaining and improving livability in the Sparwood Context are as follows:

• Social Engagement and Cohesion • Mobility • Environmental Sustainability • Housing • Healthcare • Recreation • Economy • Social Space It is important to note that for the purposes • Education of the What We Learned Report, certain key livability determinants that did not emerge The following section explores each of these focus areas in-depth, including a summary as top-of-mind or as an important issue as a of the research findings that describe and support the focus area, local plans and result of engagement in Sparwood, are not policies that are in alignment, and the specific, related themes that emerged from included in the analysis below. Those elements engagement. Each focus area includes comments received from participants in the will be added to the focus areas upon Phase One engagement process. finalization, and before theSLS is completed.

27 Sparwood Livability Study - What We Learned Report 5.2 Draft Focus Areas

Focus Area A: Social Engagement and Cohesion Highlighted Questionnaire Data: Social engagement and cohesion are essential considerations in community • 27% of survey respondents indicated development, giving citizens a chance to connect, grow and thrive. A socially engaged living in Sparwood hinders their ability and cohesive society is one where all community members have opportunities and to develop and maintain connections, infrastructure for widespread participation in community and social life; strong social where 39% of respondents said living networks and bonds; and safeguards that ensure tolerance and mutual respect.37 here supports this ability. • 23% of Sparwood resident respondents What We Heard in Sparwood rate their quality of relationships/level of connection as neutral Throughout the Phase One engagement process, responses that noted the importance • 37% of youth respondents rate their of social connections within the community were among the most popular comments. quality of relationships/level of Many individuals referenced the importance of ‘community’ in their lives, as well as connection as neutral, with another 11% their personal network, feelings of inclusion and the general social structure of the town. being dissatisfied Comments reflected those who believe the inclusion and bonds within the community • 81% of students say they will leave are strong, as well as those who seek to strengthen or create stronger relationships and Sparwood post-high school thriving social networks.

The following are the most commonly shared themes and thoughts from engagement:

Family. Most who spoke about family—whether in the context of work, play or health—mentioned their desire to be near family, their affection for their family and the activities that strengthen and sustain their familial close relationships. Throughout section 5, the highlighted quotes “Family all lives here, third generation resident, roots in the community.” are ideas generated through the engagement “I make time to do the things my family and I enjoy when possible.” process. These are individuals’ opinions which align with the focus areas, and are not always Involvement and Participation. There was a common sentiment that residents of factual statements. Sparwood have a tendency to withdraw from life in the community and/or they aren’t willing to make an effort to expand their social networks. People feel that most Sparwood residents are spending time with their close social networks, working, or leaving town for other social excursions.

“I’m satisfied but I definitely think we could bring more into the community to make it more accessible and community driven.” “Locals don’t network, lots of people leave town.”

For many, lack of time seemed to surface as barrier for community involvement.

“4 on 4 off life makes it very difficult to spend time with others or create teams ..half the town is opposite each other.” “People’s busy schedules and narrow focus on what they need in the moment.”

Friendship. Having meaningful friendships both in and outside of work was seen as important to an individual’s well-being. Many respondents cited the importance of connection with people who are open and honest, as well as having friends who are supportive and kind.

“Being around positive people, helping others when in need. Being supportive and generous.” “Having genuinely good, caring and trustworthy people in my life.”

37 United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). 2013. “Culture: a Driver and Enabler of Social Cohesion.”

Section 5: Focus Areas 28 On the other hand, some noted the challenge of trying to maintain long-distance The following example indicators are connections from where they lived before and may plan to return, while nurturing commonly used to measure social a social life in a new community. Many respondents referenced the challenge of engagement and cohesion, and may prove relationship building when so many people in Sparwood are doing shift work. appropriate for the Sparwood context:1 • Percentage of population that reports “Concerns are the type of shift we work, makes relationship building challenging.” a strong sense of belonging to a local “One has to make a concerted effort to make connections in the community, or be left community isolated.” • Percentage of population volunteering for groups or organizations Inclusion. For some, feeling like they belong in Sparwood and fit into the local culture • Percentage of population with 5 or more could not be easier. close friends • Percentage of population experiencing “Meeting like-minded people. Places/activities to meet other professionals in a social discrimination in past 5 years based on setting.” ethno-cultural characteristics • Percentage of population that believes For others, there are feelings of isolation and exclusion. Some respondents cited that most or many people can be trusted uncommon interests and values as an important issue when it comes to feeling • Membership of local community excluded. Others noted they found it hard to break into the tight-knit nature of existing organization and decision-making residents and workers. bodies • Percentage of population that can get “It’s hard to make connections with people who hold similar views. Finding age-interesting help from friends, family and neighbours activities.” when needed “Sparwood is very insular.” • Percentage of population who agree “I am concerned about my mental health in regards to lack of social interactions.” that it is a good thing for a society to be made up of people from different Some respondents even noted that a certain level of prejudice and intolerance exists cultures toward certain people or groups, such as women and certain races or ethnicities. • Amount of time spent socializing

“Gossip and the way people judge others.” “Concerns? None. Frustrations? People who express and demonstrate beliefs of 1 Canadian Index of Wellbeing, University of intolerance / racism / sexism towards others.” Waterloo. n.d. “Domains and Indicators.” Accessed March 22, 2019. https://uwaterloo.ca/canadian- What the Research Says index-wellbeing/what-we-do/domains-and- indicators. Social engagement refers to those activities and opportunities that support and Lowe, Melanie et al., May 2013. “Liveable, strengthen “people’s sense of belonging to a community and their attitudes towards Healthy, Sustainable: What are the Key Indicators others.”38 People in socially engaged communities have strong relationships with family for Melbourne Neighbourhoods?” Research and friends, and regularly participate in community activities that foster both individual Paper, Place, Health and Liveability Research and community wellbeing.39 Program, State Government of Victoria; University of Melbourne. Social cohesion takes the notion of engagement one step further, including the Organization for Economic Co-Operation and important elements of equity and inclusion. A socially cohesive society not only has Development. 2017. “How’s Life in Canada?” Better high levels of social engagement, but it ensures that all people and communities within Life Initiative. Accessed March 22, 2019. https:// that society take part. According to the Government of Canada’s Policy Research www.oecd.org/statistics/Better-Life-Initiative- Subcommittee on Social Cohesion, it is “the ongoing process of developing a country-note-Canada.pdf. community of shared values, shared challenges and equal opportunity.”40

In the research conducted for this study, social engagement and cohesion were the second most commonly cited examples of livability focus areas. Experts cite social cohesion as a top priority when it comes to livability, and one of the key characteristics

38 Canadian Index of Wellbeing, University of Waterloo. n.d. “Domains and Indicators.” Accessed March 22, 2019. https://uwaterloo.ca/canadian-index-wellbeing/what-we-do/domains-and-indicators. 39 Ibid. 40 Jenson, Jane. 1998. Mapping Social Cohesion: The State of Canadian Research. Canadian Policy Research Networks Inc., Ottawa: Renouf Publishing Co. Ltd.

29 Sparwood Livability Study - What We Learned Report of a livable and connected community.

How Local Policy Aligns

Social engagement and cohesion are highlighted in three different key policy documents in The District of Sparwood: the Age Friendly Plan, the Community Sustainability Plan and the Official Community Plan. These documents all provide a level of vision and action related to improving the social cohesion of the community.

Sparwood Age Friendly Plan One of the prominent themes highlighted in the key issues affecting local seniors is the challenge of creating a “sense of community”. Despite the fact that ‘strong social connections’ were reported as one of the top reasons people stay in Sparwood as they age, it was also cited as one of the top concerns for younger people as they get older. In order to combat this, there are a set of actions outlined to create more senior-specific and intergenerational activities and programs to keep people active as they age.

District of Sparwood Community Sustainability Plan Social engagement is supported in two key pillars built into the Community Sustainability Plan: Cultural and Social. The cultural pillar focuses on generating a sense of community, building on the heritage of the community and bolstering the arts and other cultural activities. The social pillar promotes inclusive social activities, intergenerational learning and more emphasis on civic events and knowing the community. These pillars are supported by an extensive list of action items extending to 2025 and beyond.

District of Sparwood Official Community Plan Social engagement and cohesion are supported by one of the goals of the Official Community Plan: “Support a healthy, safe and engaged community through social development, community services and civic engagement.” A list of 10 non-binding actions are attached to this goal, which offer direction to support, explore and encourage various actions to bolster civic engagement.

Focus Area B - Environmental Sustainability

Concern about the environment in which citizens live, work and play was a key theme in the Phase One engagement process. Many who provided feedback expressed comments about the importance of the natural environment and their connection to it, and concerns related to the quality of air and water in Sparwood. Several participants expressed specific concerns about mining impacts and land stewardship.

What We Heard in Sparwood

Air Quality. Raised more often than any other topic throughout the engagement period, numerous stakeholders are concerned about the coal dust and air quality in and around Sparwood. Many stakeholders cited concerns about the visibly dirty streets, decks and patios, and wondered how the bad air quality and high dust levels are also affecting the local physical environment, wildlife, water and soil.

“The lack of concern about the air pollution.” “My concern is that the Valley creeks and rivers and air quality will become so poor that we are not able to recreate in it.” “Pollution and air quality is getting bad. There is a thick layer of coal dust that sticks to the

Section 5: Focus Areas 30 snow that make you wonder what is in our lungs.”

Water Quality. Several stakeholders referenced concern related to both drinking and surface water quality. Many outdoors enthusiasts who take part in water-based recreational activities had a targeted concern related to the environmental state of local water bodies. Some noted the connection between river health and fish health, particularly with regard to selenium levels.

“I don’t believe that the air or water is good for us.” “Poor water, the fish have high levels of selenium.”

Land Stewardship. Many of Sparwood’s outdoor enthusiasts are concerned about local environmental health, particularly in areas prime for recreation, such as the local mountain ranges. Whether they enjoy fishing, hiking, climbing, skiing or camping, participants voiced a great deal of concern about the impacts expanding extraction activities will have on their ability to recreate and enjoy the outdoors. The loss of significant wilderness areas also concerns many.

“The negative impact the mines are having on our environment and what seems to be no accountability.“ “The mine is destroying our beautiful mountains.” “I have the concern that between logging & mining we will have no natural undisturbed areas left.” “Poor resource management, especially local forestry. Poor wildlife management resulting in record low populations of most ungulate species. Lack of MEANINGFUL cumulative effects thinking and management by the province.”

Responses in this category were also focused on a common appreciation of nature and its importance in resident’s lives.

“Love the outdoors and nature.” “Wilderness areas solitude, challenge, healthy environment, healthy wildlife populations.“ “Pristine surroundings close at hand.”

What the Research Says

A sustainable community is one that is able to meet its present needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet theirs.41 The environmental pillar of sustainability, in particular, refers to the maintenance of “intact and healthy ecosystems,” in which the different actors living within a community are able to have a variety of social, recreational, economic and material needs met without exceeding the capacity of the surrounding and supporting ecosystems to regenerate and maintain long-term health.42

While the definition of environmental sustainability is similar in communities throughout the world, the reasons why it is important to people are more unique. These reasons are inspired and informed by a number of different experiences and socio-cultural circumstances, and can vary significantly. For some, it’s about climate change and the responsibility or concern they feel related to stopping it. For others, it’s about caring for the land they walk on or recreate in, to make sure they can continue to enjoy and

41 International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD). “Sustainable Development.” Accessed March 21, 2019. https://www.iisd.org/topic/sustainable-development. 42 Government of Canada. 2017. “Environmental Sustainability.” Accessed March 21, 2019. https://international. gc.ca/world-monde/issues_development-enjeux_developpement/priorities-priorites/environmental_sustainability-via- bilite_environnement.aspx?lang=eng.

31 Sparwood Livability Study - What We Learned Report feel connected to the outdoors. And for some, it makes financial sense to protect the The following example indicators are environment so that they can continue to profit from its services and resources and commonly used to measure environmental avoid the costs associated with reclamation. sustainability, and may prove appropriate for For vulnerable people and those communities who depend directly on the environment the Sparwood context:1 for food, shelter, and income, environmental sustainability can be about survival.43 • Water quality • GHG emissions Environmental sustainability—and similar concepts including resource conservation, • Residential energy use energy efficiency, climate change and connecting with nature— was the most • Ecological footprint commonly cited livability focus areas and indicator subject in research consulted • Waste per capita for this study. The vast majority of sources examined considered the maintenance of • Recycling or diversion rate environmental health to be of foundational and universal importance when it comes to • Biodiversity livability. • Amount of forest area • Amount of threatened plant and animal How Local Policy Aligns species

Environmental sustainability is addressed in many guiding documents used by The 1 Canadian Index of Wellbeing, University of District, given the community’s location and industrial history and focus. The Community Waterloo. n.d. “Domains and Indicators.” Accessed Sustainability Plan and Official Community Plan in particular, include focus areas March 22, 2019. https://uwaterloo.ca/canadian- addressing the environment and provide actions in order to ensure environmental index-wellbeing/what-we-do/domains-and- sustainability over the years. indicators. Lowe, Melanie et al., May 2013. “Liveable, District of Sparwood Community Sustainability Plan Healthy, Sustainable: What are the Key Indicators Within the Community Sustainability Plan, the environmental pillar of for Melbourne Neighbourhoods?” Research sustainability has particular importance. It is broken into two sections: natural Paper, Place, Health and Liveability Research environment and the built environment. The natural environment component Program, State Government of Victoria; University of aligns with the environmental sustainability focus area, and has corresponding Melbourne actions geared toward responsible environmental management in and around Organization for Economic Co-Operation and Sparwood. Development. 2017. “How’s Life in Canada?” Better Life Initiative. Accessed March 22, 2019. https:// District of Sparwood Official Community Plan www.oecd.org/statistics/Better-Life-Initiative- In the Official Community Plan, goal 11 is to “promote environmental country-note-Canada.pdf. conservation best practices”. This goal is important, largely because of the trends seen in the area: such as increased wildlife / vehicle incidents, water demand increases, and air and water quality impacts related to the three coal mines in the region. This goal has 10 associated objectives and many supporting policies with varying levels of ambition.

Focus Area C - Healthcare

High quality health care and convenient access to services are key factors in determining an individual’s quality of life. During the Phase One engagement period, common health care themes included the need for a hospital and full-time emergency care, more family doctors and enhanced mental health support. Concerns about respiratory illness among residents were also raised by many stakeholders.

What We Heard in Sparwood

Access. Many participants expressed the need for a fully serviced hospital and around-the-clock emergency care. They spoke to the frustration around limited equipment at the existing health centre, and identified a lack of specialists as being a significant challenge to everyday life. For some, receiving treatment often means travelling long distances, sometimes in poor weather conditions, and often while

43 Ibid.

Section 5: Focus Areas 32 experiencing an illness or injury.

”We no longer have a hospital in Sparwood nor do we have a working inter-provincial healthcare network. Being sent to Vancouver or Kelowna is not affordable nor is it a safe journey.“ “Lack of medical care for my family and I. If something happens to my children, I have to drive to Fernie or Cranbrook. When the roads are bad this puts all of us at risk.” “...The lack of an emergency healthcare facility puts us at huge risk as well. Accidents don’t only happen during regular business hours when the town’s biggest industry works 24/7” “I wish we had a better health care system here.”

Many stakeholders also noted long wait times for seeing a general practitioner (GP) in Sparwood, while some individuals indicated they were unable to find a GP at all. Resolving problems around access to GP was a priority across all age ranges.

“Need to pay doctors more and incentives.” “Waiting weeks to get into see doctor or resources available at the health care having to travel/take day off to see any sort of specialist.” “Can’t get a local doctor. Have to travel to Cranbrook for one.” Highlighted Questionnaire Data: Collaborative Care. Several comments were made about challenges accessing • 59% of Sparwood resident Alberta Health Services (AHS) doctors in specialists, as well as emergency health care stakeholders are net satisfied with in Alberta. Other participants raised concerns about the long travel and wait times their physical health, compared to for appointments in Fernie, Cranbrook, Kelowna and Vancouver, especially when 68% of non-resident stakeholders. Alberta is so much closer. The desire for a stronger and more comprehensive services • 63% of Sparwood resident partnership between the provinces was raised by the public and professionals alike. stakeholders and 72% of non- resident stakeholders are net “Had to go to Fernie for my doctor, have to go to Cranbrook for CTs, MRIs, ultrasound, satisfied with their psychological surgery, specialists or have to go Lethbridge, Calgary for specialists. Had to go to Fernie health. emergency for intravenous treatments more than once @ 11 & 12 pm!!” “Being sent to Kelowna when we have 2-3 hour access in Alberta.”

Mental health. Participants emphasized the overall importance of mental health when it came to their quality of life and wellbeing. They also spoke to a shared ability to nurture and care for mental health by being proactive (building strong social networks or getting outside) whenever possible. For those who experience mental health challenges, accessing counselling services appears to be a common issue.

“Physical and mental health are both very important. For me that means being able to get outside and enjoying nature with my family.” “My primary concern is our mental health. Long winters and lack of community may have negative affects on our mental health.” “Need more psychologists in the valley to help with the growing number of patients. The wait for appointments is insane.” “I do believe there could be more publicly accessible health practitioners and access for psychological well-being. There is such a high need for counselling services. The wait lists are long and you may only be accepted if you are critically failing.“

Respiratory Health. Many comments were received about air quality and the possible impact of coal dust on respiratory health. Some questioned the validity of local respiratory disease data that has been shared, suggesting that incidences of respiratory problems may be under-reported as workers often access health care in other communities. Many cited the lack of access to physicians, and personal / family struggles with asthma.

33 Sparwood Livability Study - What We Learned Report “There is so much dust these days, it can’t be good for our lungs if we have to wear respirators at the mines.“ “Having already had cancer I am concerned about the amount of nuisance dust in our environment. I am frustrated because Teck cannot seem to find a solution to the issue. My stress level (is higher) because of my concern about our quality of life with regards to Baldy Ridge Expansion.” “My lungs and my family’s lungs. Some of us have developed asthma.” “People with health issues have left the area so they are not in [Fernie Health Area] catchment area” “Undiagnosed people ‘accept’[asthma] as part of living here.” “I have been diagnosed with severe allergies and asthma in the last few years.”

Seniors Care. Although care for the elderly was mentioned infrequently, some expressed serious concern about seniors access to health and social services. Several participants indicated that what mattered most to their health was being healthy and independent into their old age.

“[It’s most important] That I’ll be able to live here comfortably once my health starts to deteriorate.”

What the Research Says

Health is a wide-ranging concept and policy area, with a number of associated The following example indicators are indicators. Healthcare access, an issue of particular importance in Sparwood, is a commonly used to measure healthcare quality, more specific issue focused on the availability and quality of health services within a and may prove appropriate for the Sparwood community. A community with sufficient access to healthcare has affordable, accessible context:1 and adequate health services for their population. To achieve good outcomes related • Percentage of people with a regular to healthcare access, a community must also offer services that align with the different medical doctor perspectives and health needs that exist within their local context, that are widely • Availability of private and public utilized by all community members who needs them, and that lead to ‘satisfactory healthcare health outcomes’.44 • Proximity/distance to healthcare facilities Beyond access, Healthy populations and communities also have high overall health • Number of GPs per population (1000 outcomes and statuses. For this to occur, more than good health care services need ppl) to be in place. Rather, the range of factors that influence health in a community must • Number of physician specialists (1000 be considered and maintained, and their connection to health outcomes understood. ppl) Some examples of these determinants include how “food is distributed and priced, • Number of Cat Scanners per population how houses are constructed and located, how urban transportation is designed, how • Elderly care facilities per population accessible health care and recreational services are, and how we interact with the • Distance of census subdivision to nearest natural environment.”45 hospital

Healthcare—including access, life expectancy and health status—is considered a foundational aspect of livability by the majority of people and places we examined. 1 Canadian Index of Wellbeing, University of Waterloo. n.d. “Domains and Indicators.” Accessed How Local Policy Aligns March 22, 2019. https://uwaterloo.ca/canadian- index-wellbeing/what-we-do/domains-and- Sparwood’s Official Community Plan includes policy content and direction around indicators. health care in the community. The British Columbia Interior Health Authority’s Healthcare Lowe, Melanie et al., May 2013. “Liveable, Network manages the public health services in Sparwood, and as a result many of the Healthy, Sustainable: What are the Key Indicators Official Community Plan’s actions are focused on working with Interior Health. for Melbourne Neighbourhoods?” Research Paper, Place, Health and Liveability Research

44 Gulliford M1, Figueroa-Munoz J, Morgan M, Hughes D, Gibson B, Beech R, Hudson M. 2002. “What does Program, State Government of Victoria; University of ‘access to health care’ mean?” Journal of Health Services Research & Policy 7 (3). Melbourne & Government of Canada. 2009. 45 Canadian Index of Wellbeing, University of Waterloo. n.d. “Healthy Populations.” Accessed March 22, 2019. Government of Canada. 2009. “The Atlas of https://uwaterloo.ca/canadian-index-wellbeing/reports/2016-canadian-index-wellbeing-national-report/ healthy-populations Canada Quality of Life Model.”

Section 5: Focus Areas 34 District of Sparwood Official Community Plan Maintaining and improving the local Healthcare Network is supported in one of the goals of the Official Community Plan: “Support a healthy, safe and engaged community through social development, community services and civic engagement.” There are two objectives set out for health under this goal: encouraging a healthy community through social development initiatives and supporting increased access to diverse community services for all residents. A list of nine policies is included to support reaching these goals.

Focus Area D - Economy

A healthy economy is a key factor in livable communities. Research for this focus area was focused on communities like the Sparwood who are largely reliant upon resources for employment and income. The economy focus area reflects participant feedback on the need for economic diversification and more commercial retail, the potential of the tourism market, and the desire for improved local industry communications and operations. Another employment-related issue that surfaced was the lack of childcare in Sparwood and the limitations that puts on households to fully participate in the local economy, particularly women.

What We Heard in Sparwood

Diversification.Many participants spoke of a need and desire to see the local economy diversified. Tourism was frequently raised as a solution that should be explored to expand the local economy, especially considering the areas natural beauty and recreation options. While some resisted the idea of “becoming another Fernie”, others saw the potential in regional collaboration with the tourist hotspot as a means to promote Sparwood and it’s many recreational offerings.

”Hotel & meeting facility.” “We could be like Canmore is to Banff!” “Tourism and tourist shops.” “Trail tours.”

Participant feedback related to economic diversification was also focused on Sparwood’s unappealing downtown core, lack of commercial retail, unaffordable commercial rent and a lack of community support for new and small businesses.

“Need more variety in community retail outlets.” “Sparwood has ZERO retail shopping which means going to Lethbridge, AB or Cranbrook to do any shopping besides groceries which sucks big time”

Job Satisfaction. Enjoying work and feeling like it has a purpose was a high priority for many stakeholders. Some expressed a need for better compensation that would allow them to provide for their families. The importance of positive work relationships, Highlighted Questionnaire Data: and feeling appreciated and challenged in the workplace were also stressed. • 74% of Sparwood residents and 76% of non-residents are net “Lack of recognition (promotion/pay level increase) for a job done above and beyond satisfied with their current work. requirements.” “No job satisfaction.” “Wish we were paid more to work in such a dangerous environment.” “Concerns about the longevity of the mine [work].” “Good company values and challenging tasks.”

35 Sparwood Livability Study - What We Learned Report Many participants also cited the need for increased transparency and accountability, and a safer working environment at the mines.

“The only thing satisfying is the pay cheque, the unhealthy, unsafe environment I’m exposed to every four days is dissatisfying.” “Teck has unsafe operating procedures.” “It’s nice to be in the valley but I feel like Teck controls everyone from an employment standpoint and if Teck doesn’t want them they have no future in Sparwood.”

Childcare. Stakeholders noted the absence of childcare options as being a significant concern, and suggested this as the reason fewer women are employed in the Sparwood area.

“Securing quality childcare is a CONSTANT struggle.” “Childcare is hard to find. Daycare waiting list for 8 months with no date available.”

What the Research Says

A diverse and healthy economy is one in which there is an appropriate mix of industries, sectors, skill levels and employment levels and types. Typically, they have innovative business communities with a variety of strong and competitive players. Economically diverse communities and jurisdictions are generally more stable, and resilient, and can sustain longer term economic prosperity and have more equitable The following example indicators are earnings distributions. In order to diversify the economy of a specific jurisdiction or commonly used to measure economic health region so as to build economic resilience, governments and associations tend to utilize and diversity, and may prove appropriate for a wide variety of methods and tools to support new and different economic activities.46 the Sparwood context:1 • Job and wage growth Achieving and sustaining economic diversity is particularly challenging for resource- • Gross value added (GVA) of main dependent jurisdictions. During commodity booms, these jurisdictions struggle to economic sectors (to measure economic prioritize the design and implementation of “public investments and policy reforms that diversity) provide a framework for diversification.”47 On the other hand, if the resource runs out • Variety of employment opportunities or its value declines, the community is at a great risk of facing economic stagnation or in different job sectors and for different despair.48 levels of skill • Number of job opportunities and The research consulted for this study shows that economic prosperity was the 5th most commercial services within 30-minute commonly cited livability focus area. travel distance of residents • The number of new businesses starting How Local Policy Aligns annually • The number of business failures or Sparwood’s economy is largely centred around mining and its supporting industries, bankruptcies each year but The District has recognized the need to help diversify the economy to supplement • The percentage of businesses and the mining industry and ensure a sustainable economy. industries that are locally owned

District of Sparwood Official Community Plan 1 Lowe, Melanie et al., May 2013. “Liveable, Goal 3 in the Official Community Plan is to “Support a diverse economy that Healthy, Sustainable: What are the Key Indicators provides a wide range of jobs and services to supplement the mining industry.” for Melbourne Neighbourhoods?” Research This goal recognizes the need to support new economic endeavors and industries, Paper, Place, Health and Liveability Research by encouraging economic diversification, creating a supportive climate for Program, State Government of Victoria; University of business and supporting small business development in the community. A set of Melbourne policies has been developed to support these objectives, ranging from expanding Community Tool-Box. 2018. Community-Level municipal boundaries to encouraging tourism-related services and businesses. Indicators. Accessed March 20, 2019. https://ctb. ku.edu/en/table-of-contents/evaluate/evaluate- 46 Ibid. community-initiatives/examples-of-community-level- 47 The World Bank . 2017. Economic diversification: A priority for action, now more than ever. Accessed March 20, indicators/main. 2019. http://blogs.worldbank.org/psd/transport/economic-diversification-priority-action-now-more-ever. 48 Ibid.

Section 5: Focus Areas 36

District of Sparwood Community Sustainability Plan The economic pillar is recognized as an important element within the Community Sustainability Plan, meant to behave as a strong, vibrant and thriving support base for the other pillars in the community. This Plan recognizes that coal mining is the reason for past and current economic success in the community, and that more collaboration between The District and the mines will lead to positive outcomes. It also recognizes, however, that there are opportunities for Sparwood’s economic base to grow by developing new business support systems, and by capitalizing on outdoor recreation in the region. The plan identifies many long-term actions to help achieve these outcomes.

Focus Area E - Education

The most livable communities provide access to convenient and affordable education Highlighted Questionnaire Data: options that meet high standards. During engagement, many stakeholders expressed • 43% of students said they are satisfied concern about crowded classrooms, the limited opportunity to access quality post- with their education secondary education, adult learning and job training locally. Some participants were also concerned about the trend of forgoing post-secondary education in favour of employment at the mines.

What We Heard in Sparwood

Lifelong Learning. Many stakeholders expressed an unmet need and desire for access to continued learning opportunities and training for adults. There was frustration about the lack of interesting or engaging learning opportunities (both formal and informal), combined with frustration related to no one showing up when those opportunities do arise.

“More online learning opportunities at all levels including post graduate and professional development.” “Perhaps some more outdoor training and education - camping, hiking, fishing, survival, hunting.” “Difficult to get apprenticeships.” “There are no interesting classes or courses for adults, like cooking or Spanish.”

Post-secondary Opportunities. Participants expressed concern that youth in the area have extremely limited to no options when it comes to local post-secondary education. As a result, they either leave the community for post-secondary education or stay in the community and pursue employment in the mines.

“Because you don’t need schooling to work there (in the mines) and people don’t have money for school.” “It’s what your parents did do /it’s what you know.” “Lack of exposure to career options.”

What the Research Says

Education encompasses not only formal public and post-secondary systems and offerings, but also informal learnings opportunities as well as pre-school, adult education and distance learning.49 Education plays a central role in providing

49 Community Tool-Box. 2018. Community-Level Indicators. Accessed March 20, 2019. https://ctb.ku.edu/en/table-of-contents/evaluate/evaluate-community-initiatives/examples-of-community-level-indicators/main

37 Sparwood Livability Study - What We Learned Report individuals and communities with the knowledge, skills and competences they needed to “participate effectively in society and in the economy.”50 Research also shows that education is a reliable determinant when it comes to a number of other important life The following example indicators are outcomes, such as physical and mental health, life expectancy, income and social commonly used to measure educational engagement.51 quality and attainment, and may prove appropriate for the Sparwood context:1 While the majority of education-associated research and indicators relating to livability • Student to teacher ratios focus on the quality of primary or secondary schooling, tertiary education is also an • Number of government primary and important element. According to the University of Waterloo, since “societies that thrive secondary schools per 1000 school- encourage a thirst for knowledge at every age and stage,”52 livable communities must aged children monitor and invest in both traditional opportunities for post-secondary education (i.e. • Average distance to the nearest college, university, trades etc.), along with less formal and conventional learning, government primary and secondary training and skill-building classes and courses for adults that can be accessed schools throughout their life-span and as their needs, interests and abilities shift.53 • Overall academic achievement, attainment, and participation Educational opportunities and attainment were among the top ten most commonly • Apprenticeships and vocational training noted livability focus areas and indicators in our research. Other less commonly used enrolments terms or language to describe the importance of education for livability ranged from • Proximity to higher education and those focused on giving people the ‘ability to reach their potential’ and ‘providing training opportunities for young people’. • Educational opportunities for older adults How Local Policy Aligns • Percentage of population aged 25 and older participating in education-related Education is well supported in policy documents in Sparwood, and the recognition of activities the fundamental role of education in personal development is clear. Postsecondary and • Years in education adult education opportunities in Sparwood are generally considered to be limited, and • % of women compared to men in much of the policy direction focuses on either attracting/developing more education education opportunities, or exploring opportunities for intergenerational mentorship. 1 Canadian Index of Wellbeing, University of District of Sparwood Community Sustainability Plan Waterloo. n.d. “Domains and Indicators.” Accessed Education is a fundamental component in the social pillar of the Community March 22, 2019. https://uwaterloo.ca/canadian- Sustainability Plan. There are two main approaches outlined in this plan for index-wellbeing/what-we-do/domains-and- education: exploring opportunities where seniors mentor youth, and developing indicators. a basis for further education (including post-secondary, continuing education Lowe, Melanie et al., May 2013. “Liveable, and special-interest programs). There are a number of long-term actions identified Healthy, Sustainable: What are the Key Indicators to help achieve these goals. for Melbourne Neighbourhoods?” Research Paper, Place, Health and Liveability Research District of Sparwood Official Community Plan Program, State Government of Victoria; University of Education is supported by goal 7 in the Official Community Plan, Community Melbourne Health and Safety: “Support a healthy, safe and engaged community through Community Tool-Box. 2018. Community-Level social development, community services and civic engagement.” The main Indicators. Accessed March 20, 2019. https://ctb. education-related issues raised include space issues at the school and attracting ku.edu/en/table-of-contents/evaluate/evaluate- post-secondary institutions. The main objective for action items is to “support the community-initiatives/examples-of-community-level- whole community with skills and trades training and education.” indicators/main.

Focus Area F - Mobility

The ability to move freely and to conveniently access local services and attractions contributes positively to a community’s sense of livability. Mobility is of particular

50 Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD). 2018. Better Life Index: Education. Accessed March 20, 2019. http://www.oecdbetterlifeindex.org/topics/education/ 51 Canadian Index of Wellbeing, University of Waterloo. n.d. “Domains and Indicators.” Accessed March 22, 2019. https://uwaterloo.ca/canadian-index-wellbeing/what-we-do/domains-and-indicators. 52 Ibid. 53 Ibid.

Section 5: Focus Areas 38 concern to youth and seniors, who often have more limited options. In Phase One, many stakeholders highlighted the contextual factors that limit their mobility, including long commutes, a lack of alternative transport options and limited access to transportation for persons with disabilities. The desire for convenient and barrier-free transportation was raised frequently.

What We Heard in Sparwood

Coming and Going Safely. Many participants noted that getting to and from Sparwood can be a challenge— given its relatively remote location—but that they are required to leave and come back often to access services. Getting to work, health services and out of town for recreation is often a daunting and nerve-wracking task. When poor road conditions are at play, long distance trips are an even more unwelcome challenge.

“The travel from other communities in the winter can be hazardous.” “Ability to get to and from work safe everyday.” “There are not a lot of things to do in Sparwood, you tend to have to get out of town to do a lot of things.” “Currently I’ve been having issues that have required me to travel to Fernie, Cranbrook and Calgary.“

Alternative Transportation. Sparwood’s transportation system is focused on supporting vehicle use, which makes mobility a lot more difficult for those who don’t have a driver’s license or who are unable to drive or afford a car. Youth, seniors and persons with disabilities frequently lack access to safe and efficient modes of transportation both within and outside of the community. Providing opportunities for more people to move around freely was cited as a priority by many stakeholders.

“...Future will be more difficult due to lack of public transportation and isolation.” “Connectivity to trails.” “ Lack of transportation to the pool. Mid day bus and pool schedule, bus arrives just in time for pool to close most days.” “Road and sidewalk maintenance.” “Sparwood offers nothing - have to always go elsewhere - groceries are getting unreal - price and what to buy. Feel sorry for seniors that do not drive.”

What the Research Says

In livability literature, mobility is often referred to as ”transportation [options] that facilitate the safe, efficient, and pollution-free flow of people and goods, while also providing affordable, healthy, and integrated mobility for all people.”54 Mobility in livable communities is affordable, accessible and avoids harm to the environment whenever possible. Research related to mobility and livability is showing an increasing focus on the ability of diverse and reliable transportation systems and infrastructure to impact numerous other livability subject areas, such as employment, the economy and social well-being.55

Common programs and infrastructure related to mobility and livability include active transportation (the modes of transport that require physical activity, including walking, cycling etc.), public transportation (shared modes of transport typically funded and operated by local government, including bus, LRTS/metros etc.), and car and road

54 Chase, Robin. 2017. Shared Mobility Principles for Livable Cities. Accessed March 21, 2019. https://www. sharedmobilityprinciples.org/ 55 Committee on Identifying Data Needs for Place-Based Decision Making. 2002. Community and Quality of Life: Data Needs for Informed Decision Making. Washington D.C.: The National Acadamies Press

39 Sparwood Livability Study - What We Learned Report transportation (the modes of transport that includes and support all privately owned The following example indicators are vehicles and the public roads they drive on).56 While there is debate related to the commonly used to measure the quality of importance of certain mobility modes and behaviours on improving or decreasing mobility options, and may prove appropriate livability—and a range of contextual factors to consider, there is wide agreement for the Sparwood context:1 that “the mobility of people and not vehicles shall be in the center of transportation • Availability of public transportation planning and decision-making.”, and that jurisdictions that prioritize walking, cycling • Percentage of population that cycles and public transport have significantly better health, economic and environmental • Percentage of population that walks outcomes. • Transport limitations • Commute time Mobility was amongst the top ten livability focus and indicator areas from the research, • Road and traffic fatalities and injuries also referred to as ‘convenient and affordable transportation’ or ‘accessible and • Bike lanes and racks diverse transportation options’. • Access to transit stops • Affordability of transport How Local Policy Aligns 1 Canadian Index of Wellbeing, University of District of Sparwood Official Community Plan Waterloo. n.d. “Domains and Indicators.” Accessed In the Official Community Plan, goal nine aims to “Provide a safe and efficient March 22, 2019. https://uwaterloo.ca/canadian- multi-modal transportation system that balances vehicular traffic with active index-wellbeing/what-we-do/domains-and- transportation.” This goal is supported by an extensive list of objectives and indicators. policies to help support different modes of transportation, provide better access Lowe, Melanie et al., May 2013. “Liveable, to transportation methods, and promote safety while moving around Sparwood Healthy, Sustainable: What are the Key Indicators and neighbouring communities. for Melbourne Neighbourhoods?” Research Paper, Place, Health and Liveability Research Sparwood Age-Friendly Community Plan Program, State Government of Victoria; University of The Age Friendly Community Plan identifies mobility as a focus, with Melbourne improvements needed to ensure community seniors can travel locally with Community Tool-Box. 2018. Community-Level ease. This plan identifies areas that are currently working well and areas that Indicators. Accessed March 20, 2019. https://ctb. could be improved upon, and includes five strategies/recommendations for ku.edu/en/table-of-contents/evaluate/evaluate- improvements. These include exploring a made-in-Sparwood local transportation community-initiatives/examples-of-community-level- system, developing a volunteer driver program, improving public transit access, indicators/main. enhancing safety for scooters and improving the road/sidewalk safety.

Focus Area G - Housing

Access to safe and affordable housing is essential for personal wellbeing and community livability. Participants in the engagement process frequently referenced the importance of Sparwood staying on top of its housing needs. While some are content with the current housing environment, others cited the need for more affordable housing, more diverse housing options and housing that will attract more permanent residents.

What We Heard in Sparwood

Housing Availability. Participants saw strong ties between housing availability Related Questionnaire Data: and the ability of the community to attract families and other permanent residences • 78% of adult respondents said they own to the area, noting that this could contribute to healthier community growth. Some their home. stakeholders expressed concern around how transiency in Sparwood affects the lack of options, as well as the need for more seniors housing options.

“People that want a rental that actually live here can’t because the mine / Teck pays people from other countries to come here and work and therefore they take up all the rentals and then we have a shortage of homes/rentals.” “The transient nature of a lot of mining jobs really hinders getting to know people. We

56 Lowe, Melanie et al., May 2013. “Liveable, Healthy, Sustainable: What are the Key Indicators for Melbourne Neighbourhoods?” Research Paper, Place, Health and Liveability Research Program, State Government of Victoria; University of Melbourne

Section 5: Focus Areas 40 need sustainable housing and affordable options to attract growth.” “Need more flexibility for secondary suites.” “Apts or condos for single seniors living in homes. This can free up homes for families.”

Housing Affordability. The inability to afford the cost of owning or renting a home was raised by several stakeholders. Although some voiced satisfaction with their options and the related costs, many others felt renting or owning a home was unaffordable in Sparwood.

“There is nothing to do in Sparwood so people don’t want to buy expensive housing.” “The only people that can afford it are the people at the mine.” “Not enough lower income housing.”

What the Research Says

Given the widespread agreement that shelter is a basic human need, it follows that housing be considered a critical livability determinant as well. And when it comes to livability, affordability, availability and quality are all extremely important factors. According to the OECD, “living in satisfactory housing conditions is one of the most important aspects of people’s lives. Housing is essential to meet basic needs, such The following example indicators are as shelter, but it is not just a question of four walls and a roof. Housing should offer a commonly used to measure the housing place to sleep and rest where people feel safe and have privacy and personal space; affordability, availability and quality, and may somewhere they can raise a family. All of these elements help make a house a home.”57 prove appropriate for the Sparwood context:1 • Housing expenditure - % of gross When it comes to measuring the livability of a specific area, a number of subjects adjusted disposable income spent on directly and closely related to assess housing stock and need were a common housing focus. Population and housing density, the mixture of land uses, the diversity and the • Percentage of population living in adaptability of the housing stock, housing tenure and even homelessness were listed as housing requiring major repairs important housing-related subjects to consider. Essentially, “more liveable areas have • Average number of persons per room a greater mix of land uses, and access to affordable housing relative to income, that is • Housing conditions available and adaptable to those in need.”58 • Public housing provision • Land use mix/housing diversity Housing was in the top ten most commonly noted livability focus areas and indicators • Age friendly housing availability in our research. The ‘affordability’ and ‘diversity’ of the housing in a location appeared • Average housing-related bill rates per to be the most common focuses amongst sources scanned. household

How Local Policy Aligns 1 Lowe, Melanie et al., May 2013. “Liveable, Healthy, Sustainable: What are the Key Indicators The housing focus area is supported in several of The District’s planning documents, for Melbourne Neighbourhoods?” Research including the Official Community Plan, the Community Sustainability Plan, and the Paper, Place, Health and Liveability Research Housing Need and Demand Study. Together these three guiding documents identify the Program, State Government of Victoria; University of need for diverse housing options, and address ways to make housing more accessible Melbourne for a range of individuals. Government of Canada. 2009. “The Atlas of Canada Quality of Life Model.” District of Sparwood Official Community Plan Organization for Economic Co-Operation and In the Official Community Plan, goal six aims to “Encourage the provision of Development. 2017. “How’s Life in Canada?” Better diverse housing options that allow residents with a range of ages, income levels, Life Initiative. Accessed March 22, 2019. https:// and lifestyles to live comfortably in the community through all stages of their www.oecd.org/statistics/Better-Life-Initiative- lives.” This goal promotes efforts to achieve housing for all, meeting all of the country-note-Canada.pdf. community’s wide-ranging housing needs. The plan identifies the current housing

57 Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD). 2018. Better Life Index: Housing. Accessed March 20, 2019. http://www.oecdbetterlifeindex.org/topics/housing/ 58 Lowe, Melanie et al., May 2013. “Liveable, Healthy, Sustainable: What are the Key Indicators for Melbourne Neighbourhoods?” Research Paper, Place, Health and Liveability Research Program, State Government of Victoria; University of Melbourne.

41 Sparwood Livability Study - What We Learned Report trends that are being experienced by the community (i.e. low rental vacancy and rising house prices) and making living in Sparwood unaffordable for some citizens. To achieve the Plan’s housing goal, the following objectives apply: “encourage more accessible housing, add more affordable housing and ensure safe housing options.”

District of Sparwood Community Sustainability Plan The social pillar of sustainability in the Community Sustainability Plan sets out to achieve “harmonious and inclusive communities.” One way the plan sets out to achieve this is by offering a sufficient and diverse mix of quality, affordable housing. This approach is in response to the two issues identified locally: a lack of affordable housing and a lack of variety in housing types. Strategies for achieving this goal include expanding policies to include secondary suites and developing a suitable long-term seniors’ facility.

District of Sparwood and Elkford: Housing Need and Demand Assessment The Housing Need and Demand Assessment report was developed by The District of Sparwood in partnership with The District of Elkford. The goal of the report was to “identify the housing needs of contract industrial workers, to generate a better understanding of local housing and associated issues, and to provide housing-related direction to the districts”. The report recognizes that housing issues are rooted in the area’s historical context and current-day economic realities, and identifies appropriate priority housing actions for The Districts as well as industry in the region.

Focus Are H - Recreation

The mental and physical benefits of recreation are well understood, and the social benefits are also clear—creating stronger community ties and the opportunity to expand an individual’s social network. During engagement, stakeholders frequently expressed opinions about the state of leisure and fitness in Sparwood.

What We Heard in Sparwood

Staying Active and Fit. Many participants talked about fitness and activity as a means of staying physically and psychologically healthy.

“Being with friends, keeping active, low cost affordable, recreation facilities that are offered.” “Ability to continue an active life.” Highlighted Questionnaire Data: “Being able to be active with our children.” • 63% of resident stakeholders said “living Recreation Infrastructure and Programming. The benefits of programmed activities in Sparwood supports my enjoyment and local infrastructure (such as outdoor rinks and trails) were cited by many as ways and recreation” to promote health and wellness. Several individuals cited the need for improved • 64% of Sparwood residents and 84% maintenance and renovations of local recreation hotspots and activity spaces (i.e. trail of non-residents were net satisfied with network). Others expressed a desire for more year-round activity options, and a wider the quality of ‘play’ (i.e. recreation, variety of affordable activity options in general. Popular suggestions for improving socializing etc.) in their life recreation opportunities included the addition of trails, camping and an outdoor ice rink. “Lack of facilities in winter.” “Biking and hiking trail network needs improvement/expanding” “We do not have enough outdoor hiking trails or mountain bike trails groomed like Fernie, so everyone goes there.” “Most things cost too much.” “Continual municipal expansion with lack of focus, failure to improve existing amenities,

Section 5: Focus Areas 42 poor connectivity on trails, lack of river access.”

Recreation Centre. Sparwood’s recreation centre was cited by many participants as being in need of repair and expansion to accommodate different activities and larger groups. The facility is viewed by many as ‘dated’, and lacking when it comes to recreational programming. Interest was also expressed in a facility and associated programming that could accommodate a wider range of schedules.

“Not a great gym to go to and always busy.” “Having hobbies and having nice recreational centers and services as well as a beautiful environment to enjoy” The following example indicators are “Becoming more and more popular and being over crowded at popular sites.” commonly used to measure recreational “Love the trails that have been groomed this winter and the recreation centre. “ access, options and facilities, and may prove “There are not enough facilities to hold programs for teenagers and indoor activities in the appropriate for the Sparwood context:1 winter.” • Participation in sports, arts and cultural activities What the Research Says • Variety of public space • Frequency of use of public space Quality of life is enhanced by the availability of a wide diversity of recreation • Number of performance centers in the opportunities. Recreation refers to the leisurely activities or experiences a person community – theaters, concert halls, or group chooses to take part in to increase their satisfaction, connection, skills and clubs, etc. health—among other things. Recreation can be supported via formal and informal • Availability of affordable, accessible programming and infrastructure, and public space developments and improvements. and culturally appropriate learning Recreation programs and infrastructure must provide places for improving health opportunities in the arts and well-being that are accessible by persons of all ages and abilities. The types of • Availability of affordable, accessible opportunities that are considered when measuring the overall quality of recreation and culturally appropriate sporting in a jurisdiction, include the availability of both sports and non-sports-related leisure activities activities, and activities that connect people with nature, the arts and culture.59 • Number and character of museums in the community (and the number of Recreation was among the top ten livability focus and indicator areas in the research visitors they receive) examined, also referred to as ‘leisure’ or connected to ‘public space’ indicators. • Availability of the public library – hours, number of branches, accessibility, etc. How Local Policy Aligns • The number of after-school and summer recreation programs for children and The master plan for recreation in The District of Sparwood was developed in 1999, but youth many of its themes are still relevant today. New strategic direction for recreation was • Number of ethnic and religious festivals also included in the Official Community Plan. and other such multi-cultural events • Number of facilities and spaces that District of Sparwood Recreation Master Plan offer recreation programs and amenities The Recreation Master Plan aims to “use publicly sponsored parks, recreation and cultural services to foster a sense of community and foster better citizens”. The plan details 21 service objectives to reach these goals, and highlights The 1 Lowe, Melanie et al., May 2013. “Liveable, District’s responsibility for achieving the desired outcomes. Healthy, Sustainable: What are the Key Indicators for Melbourne Neighbourhoods?” Research District of Sparwood Official Community Plan Paper, Place, Health and Liveability Research In goal 10 of the Official Community Plan, the Parks and Natural Space section Program, State Government of Victoria; University of aims to “Encourage an active and healthy community through the development, Melbourne maintenance and enhancement of high-quality parks, passive and active Community Tool-Box. 2018. Community-Level recreational activities and programs, and active transportation infrastructure.” Indicators. Accessed March 20, 2019. https://ctb. The plan’s goals include meeting residents’ needs for parks and recreation, using ku.edu/en/table-of-contents/evaluate/evaluate- green corridors more effectively to promote healthy living, and providing more community-initiatives/examples-of-community-level- opportunities for walking and biking. indicators/main.

59 Regional District of Central Kootenay. 2016. “Recreation Master Plan.” Government Document, Central Kootenay. Accessed March 20, 2019. https://rdck.ca/assets/Administration/Documents/2016-02-11%20Area%20H%20MP- SM.pdf.

43 Sparwood Livability Study - What We Learned Report Focus Area I - Social Space

The ability to access shared community spaces has many benefits, from strengthening social networks and personal connections to giving individuals a place to explore hobbies and interests that improve their mental and physical wellbeing. Many engagement participants noted the need for physical spaces to gather, eat, socialize Highlighted Questionnaire Data: and/or recreate. • 25% of questionnaire stakeholders said they spend less than 15% of their What We Heard in Sparwood discretionary income in Sparwood • 15% said they spend 75% or more of Gathering Spaces. While some stakeholders referred to an appreciation of the their discretionary income in Sparwood, availability of outdoor public space in Sparwood, most focused on the lack of 43% said they spend less than 30%, community or private spaces that encourage gathering and connecting, including with the remaining 42% of participants restaurants, cafes, bars and shops. Over 50 participants stated they did not consider spend between 30% to 74% of their downtown to be an appealing destination. The need for a multi-purpose community discretionary income locally. centre was also raised by a few participants, who cited the desire for a community kitchen, stage and space for coming together.

“Not a lot of places to meet new people or to socialize publicly with friends.” “There is not much here for going out and socializing, good food, coffee shops etc.” “Limited community events and amenities to encourage connecting. Lack of child care.” “Being a young adult (20 years old) there isn’t anything to go and do to meet other people really. I grew up here so I have a close group of friends from high school but other than that, there aren’t a lot of people our age around. And we don’t have any activities or places to meet people our age. There’s no real mall, no bars that are active and busy on weekends. My friends and I go and sit in Tim Horton’s in the evenings after work and on weekends because there isn’t anything for us to do during the winter after work.” “Rec centre is nice, but there is no “downtown” area that is enjoyable. Nowhere nicer than Tim’s or Causeway to meet up.” “Get rid of outdated unattractive empty mall. Geographically does not invite into town! No one wants to develop in ‘square.”

Entertainment. Several stakeholders cited a lack of local space in which to get together and “be entertained”, and celebrate the arts and culture as a community. Many cited the development of places and events as a way to boost and diversify the local economy.

“There are no activities that involve the community. Few community groups like choir, arts station. No real pub or watering hole to go out.” “The lack of a coffee shop and an arts and culture space.” “More social functions in Sparwood, concerts, theatre etc.”

Regional Competition. The entertainment and service economies in Fernie and Crowsnest are seen by some stakeholders as impacting the way local consumers behave, drawing potential business from Sparwood. The small population of Elk Valley was cited by some as being a limiting factor for Sparwood’s commercial and retail potential. People expressed frustration related to the lack of options for ‘hanging out’ in Sparwood, but also admitted they were part of the problem by not choosing to support local business and by leaving town limits to socialize instead of staying in Sparwood.

“I find we go to Fernie lots because of the numerous restaurants and coffee houses.” “We have to go out of town for diversified dining experiences. We go out of town just to walk around and browse in stores and see other people doing the same. There is no ‘downtown’ core.” “People leave on weekends because of proximity to larger centres.”

Section 5: Focus Areas 44 “People just go to Fernie.”

What the Research Says

Strongly connected to the focus areas of ‘Social Cohesion’ and ‘Recreation’ described The following example indicators are above, the focus area of social space refers to compelling spaces and areas that are commonly used to measure the availability carved out in communities—either as for-profit initiatives or developed and supported and desirability of place and social space, by the public or non-profit sector—where citizens and groups can come together to and may prove appropriate for the Sparwood connect. Vibrant communities have a variety of interesting, attractive and compelling context:1 spaces for the nurturing and development of strong, active, and inclusive relationships, • Amount of entertainment venues and and to foster individual and collective wellbeing. A wide range of activities can occur activities per population in these spaces, but the highest success rates occur when they are community driven, • Amount of cafes informed and/or co-created.60 • Amount of live music venues and events • Number of sports stadiums Research shows that humans are and have always been socially minded and driven. • Number of movie theatres We need to have strong and meaningful relationships to maintain individual and • Number of community centres community health, and “the frequency of our contact with others and the quality of • Aesthetic appeal of spaces and areas our personal relationships are…crucial determinants of our well-being.”61 To develop (i.e. downtown) and nurture the connections and relationships that we require for our well-being to be nourished, physical space for gathering, conversing and taking in entertainment 1 Lowe, Melanie et al., May 2013. “Liveable, are critical. Furthermore, jurisdictions with attractive, interesting and compelling social Healthy, Sustainable: What are the Key Indicators spaces are more popular destinations for tourism. for Melbourne Neighbourhoods?” Research Paper, Place, Health and Liveability Research Social space and vibrancy were common focus areas and indicators throughout the Program, State Government of Victoria; University of research we conducted. Either identified as crucial on their own, or as a necessity Melbourne to ensure other determinants could be met, such as ‘social cohesion’, ‘recreation’, ‘community attractiveness’ and ‘exposure to arts and culture’.

How Local Policy Aligns

The concept of social space is not explicitly supported in policy direction within The District of Sparwood, though the Official Community Plan puts specific emphasis on the downtown and commercial core.

District of Sparwood Official Community Plan The second goal in the Official Community Plan aims to “Enhance the downtown by promoting high-quality design and construction that reinforces Sparwood’s unique sense of place and become the social, cultural, and economic centre of the community with opportunities to live, work, learn, shop and play.” Of particular relevance to the community space issue raised by residents, Objective 2.5 of the plan aims to “Enhance the public realm in the downtown to support commercial objectives and to become the social heart of Sparwood”. Twelve policies are identified to accomplish this, all with varying levels of relevance around increased community space.

60 Projects for Public Space. 1999. Eleven Principles for Creating Great Community Spaces. Accessed March 22, 2019. https://www.pps.org/article/11steps. 61 Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD). 2018. Better Life Index: Community . Ac- cessed March 20, 2019. http://www.oecdbetterlifeindex.org/topics/community/.

45 Sparwood Livability Study - What We Learned Report Section 6 Citizen Aspirations

During the engagement process, community members were asked to respond to the question: “What are your hopes for Sparwood?” This question gave citizens a chance to provide candid, personal and heartfelt input about their aspirations for the community. Additional analysis of the responses to this question will be undertaken later in the process to ensure these hopes for the future are accurately captured in the final Sparwood Livability Study. In the interim, a review of these aspirations can provide an enlightening snapshot of the community’s current state-of-mind.

Hopes and Ideas for Sparwood

The feedback obtained from community members on this question highlighted a wide range of opinions, priorities and aspirations. During engagement workshops, participants were able to provide specific ideas for solutions to improve the livability of Sparwood. The solutions that emerged align closely with the hopes identified by many residents. The following provides an overview of key themes that emerged during engagement.

The Structure of the Economy: There was significant support for the diversification of the local economy. Community members expressed a desire to increase economic activity outside of mining and mining-related industries, with some actively demanding that the mining operation close. Tourism was frequently identified as an opportunity for the community’s economic diversification. At the same time, many engagement participants shared a desire for a strong mining sector to remain as the backbone of prosperity for the community.

“Continue to support the mining industry (because they are very important to the sustainability of mining) and that they find other opportunities (ex. tourism) that can also help support the community.” “That Sparwood will become more environmentally conscious and not always lean towards the coal industry. Tourism would be rewarding for the town.” “That people realize they have moved into a mining community and that if it wasn’t for the mines they wouldn’t have anything. The mine was there before the town…without it sparwood would become one of the many ghost towns.”

Increased Services and Facilities: There was significant interest in seeing an increase in the volume and type of services and facilities found in Sparwood, as well more diverse retail offerings. Respondents felt that improved retail offerings – retail shops, restaurants and coffee shops – would act as a draw for residents and make the community a more desirable place to live. They also felt that expanded retail offerings would provide much-needed spaces for socializing.

Additionally, many stakeholders shared a desire for increased community facilities, including both indoor and outdoor recreational opportunities.

“I hope that Sparwood works hard to develop (or redevelop) its retail commercial core. Some places to drink and eat, as well as shop would be nice. If we could only have a fraction of what Fernie has as far as a downtown core, Sparwood would be wholly better

Section 6: Citizen Aspirations 46 than it is.” “Grow and provide increased recreational activities for people: become a destination for mountain and fat-tire bikers, cross country skiers, fishermen/hunters and backcountry enthusiasts.”

Housing Affordability: There is substantial interest in affordable housing in Sparwood. This was identified as a key element to enhance the livability and vibrancy of the community.

“Solve the housing situation so more people stay.” “Affordable housing will attract people who cannot afford to live here, and therefore commute.”

Environmental Health: Participants shared a desire for a clean local environment in all regards, including water and air. Responses included requests for increased monitoring and knowledge about environmental health and concern over the impact of mining operations on the health of residents and the environment alike.

“That the environment (standards) meet or exceed an excellent quality of air and water— which in my opinion is in jeopardy at present.”

Increased Opportunities for Locals: Some engagement participants expressed a desire for Teck to hire more local people. This was viewed as a way to increase local economic opportunity for individuals while benefiting the local economy by keeping dollars in Sparwood.

“That we can make this town a healthier place with more opportunities to grow and employ locals.” Section 7 Our Next Steps

As the project team readies for the launch of Phase Two of the Sparwood Livability Study, the focus will shift to confirming, refining and expanding the work to date. The next steps in the process will include:

• Development of a definition for livability that is customized to meet the goals, priorities and unique perspectives of Sparwood residents • Creation of indicators for each focus area • Establishment of baseline values for indicators that clarify the current state and historical trends • Evaluation of how each focus area is doing now, to allow for comparison over time • Ongoing public engagement to ensure the process continues to be reflective of community values and priorities • Stay informed about the upcoming engagement at www.sparwood.ca/livable

Phase Two and Phase Three of the sls process will include analysis of the potential impact of livability indicators and strategies, including an opportunity for citizens to rank these items in terms of low to high impact / value.

47 Sparwood Livability Study - What We Learned Report Section 8 Bibliography

BC Assessment. 2019. Kootenay Columbia 2019 Government of Canada. 2017. “Environmental Property Assessments in the Mail. Accessed March 20, 2019. Sustainability.” Accessed March 21, 2019. https:// https://info.bcassessment.ca/news/Pages/Kootenay_ international.gc.ca/world-monde/issues_development- Columbia_2019_Property_Assessments_in_the_Mail.aspx. enjeux_developpement/priorities-priorites/ environmental_sustainability-viabilite_environnement. Canadian Mining Innovation Council. “Environmental Analysis of the Mining Industry aspx?lang=eng. in Canada. Accessed April 1, 2019. http://www.cmic-ccim.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/HatchScopingReport.pdf. Gulliford M1, Figueroa-Munoz J, Morgan M, Chase, Robin. 2017. Shared Mobility Principles Hughes D, Gibson B, Beech R, Hudson M. 2002. “What for Livable Cities. Accessed March 21, 2019. https://www. does ‘access to health care’ mean?” Journal of Health sharedmobilityprinciples.org/ Services Research & Policy 7 (3).

Committee on Identifying Data Needs for Place- International Institute for Sustainable Based Decision Making. 2002. Community and Quality of Development (IISD). “Sustainable Development.” Life: Data Needs for Informed Decision Making. Washington Accessed March 21, 2019. https://www.iisd.org/topic/ D.C.: The National Acadamies Press. sustainable-development.

Community Tool-Box. 2018. Community-Level Institu National De Sante Publique Du Quebec Indicators . Accessed March 20, 2019. https://ctb.ku.edu/ (INSPQ). “Individual and Social Effects of Changes en/table-of-contents/evaluate/evaluate-community- Related to the Resumption of Mining Activity in MAlartic: initiatives/examples-of-community-level-indicators/main. 2006-2013.” Accessed April 1, 2019. https://www.inspq. qc.ca/en/publications/2115 District of Sparwood . 2016. Livability . Accessed March 20, 2019. https://www.sparwood.ca/livable. Jenson, Jane. 1998. Mapping Social Cohesion: The State of Canadian Research. Canadian Policy District of Sparwood. 2016. “Community Profile.” Research Networks Inc., Ottawa: Renouf Publishing Co. Government Document, Sparwood. Ltd.

District of Sparwood. 2013. “Community Profile.” Kinnear, John. n.d. Elk Valley Coal News . Sparwood. https://whiskeyjackresort.com/wp-content/ Accessed March 20, 2019. https://elkvalleycoal.com/ uploads/2013/04/The-District-of-Sparwood-Community- history/. Profile-2008-FV.pdf. Luigi Fusco Girard, Tuzin Baycan and Peter Economist Intelligence Unit . 2018. The Global Nijkamp, ed. 2016. Sustainable City and Creativity: Liveability Index. Accessed March 20, 2019. https://www. Promoting Creative Urban Initiatives. Vol. 2. London: eiu.com/topic/liveability. Routledge.

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Government of Canada. 2009. “The Atlas of Mercer. 2019. Quality of Living City Ranking . Canada Quality of Life Model.” Accessed 2. Accessed March 20, 2019. https://mobilityexchange. mercer.com/Insights/quality-of-living-rankings.

Section 7: Next Steps 48 MoneySense. 2018. Canada’s Best Places to Live Sparwood 50th Anniversary Committee. 2016. 2018. Accessed March 20, 2019. https://www.moneysense. “Sparwood Mining History and Heritage.” Sparwood Cele- ca/canadas-best-places-to-live-2018-create-your-own- brating 50 Years. ranking/. Statistics Canada. 2019. 2016 Census - Spar- Michael Scott (Director). That’s the Price. 1970. wood, District Municipality. Accessed March 20, 2019. National Film Board. https://www12.statcan.gc.ca/census-recensement/2016/ dp-pd/prof/details/page.cfm?Lang=E&Tab=1&- Organization for Economic Cooperation and Geo1=CSD&Code1=5901006&Geo2=PR&Code2=01&- Development (OECD). 2018. Better Life Index . Accessed Data=Count&SearchText=Low&SearchType=Begins&Search- March 20, 2019. http://www.oecdbetterlifeindex.org/. PR=01&B1=All&TABID=1&.

Texas A&M Transportation Institute. n.d. “Definitions Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development of Livability Handout.” Accessed March 20, 2019. https:// (OECD). 2018. Better Life Index: Housing. Accessed March groups.tti.tamu.edu/transit-mobility/files/2013/05/3- 20, 2019. http://www.oecdbetterlifeindex.org/topics/ Definitions-of-livability-handout.pdf housing/ The Districts of Elkford & Sparwood. 2012. “Housing Organization for Economic Cooperation and Needs & Demand Assessments.” Sparwood and Elkford. Development (OECD). 2018. Better Life Index: Education. Accessed March 20, 2019. http://www.oecdbetterlifeindex. The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cul- org/topics/education/ tural Organization (UNESCO). 2013. “Culture: a Driver and Enabler of Social Cohesion.” Projects for Public Space. 1999. Eleven Principles for Creating Great Community Spaces.Accessed March 22, The World Bank. 2017. Economic diversification: A 2019. https://www.pps.org/article/11steps. priority for action, now more than ever. Accessed March 20, 2019. http://blogs.worldbank.org/psd/transport/econom- Province of British Columbia. 2019. Baldy Ridge ic-diversification-priority-action-now-more-ever. Extension. Accessed March 20, 2019. https://projects.eao. gov.bc.ca/p/baldy-ridge-extension/detail. Townfolio. 2017. Sparwood, BC. Accessed March 20, 2019. https://townfolio.co/bc/sparwood/demograph- Regional District of Central Kootenay. 2016. “Recre- ics. ation Master Plan.” Government Document, Central Koote- nay. Accessed March 20, 2019. https://rdck.ca/assets United Nations Development Programme. 2018. Hu- /Administration/Documents/2016-02-11%20Area%20 man Development Index. Accessed March 20, 2019. http:// H%20MP-SM.pdf. hdr.undp.org/en/indicators/137506.

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49 Sparwood Livability Study - What We Learned Report