Township Strategy Strives for Social Sustainability

People are the heart of any community, and the Township of Langley is developing a plan to ensure its most important assets – its residents – maintain an excellent quality of life in the years to come.

On November 6, Township Council approved the preparation of a Social Sustainability Strategy, a social plan that will guide decisions and resource allocations on social issues over the next ten years.

“From young children and youth, to seniors and families, we need to care for all members of our community, to make sure they feel safe and supported and have the resources they need thrive,” said Township of Langley Mayor Jack Froese. “Social well-being encompasses everything from housing, food security, and public safety, to accessibility, arts and culture, and lifelong learning – things that make our community strong and healthy.”

Although the Township can play a key role in improving the well-being and quality of life of its residents, municipalities have limited responsibility and funding for the delivery of social services. This new Strategy intends to clarify the Township’s role and priorities regarding social issues.

“Through this new Strategy, we hope to better understand the Township’s social issues and provide the groundwork for addressing them in partnership with community organizations and other levels of government,” Froese said.

The first of its kind to be prepared by the Township, the Social Sustainability Strategy builds on the Township’s Sustainability Charter, a high-level policy for keeping the municipality financially, environmentally, culturally, and social balanced as it grows towards the future.

The need for a social plan is also included in the Township’s new Official Community Plan, which was adopted by Council in 2016 to provide a long-term vision for sustainable growth and development.

Earlier this year, a new social planner position was created by Council to help implement and develop policies that focus on people and social issues. The proposed Social Sustainability Strategy will be a key guide to the Township’s social planning work and priorities over the next decade.

There will be many opportunities for Township residents and stakeholders to provide input and contribute to the new Strategy. Focus groups, community dialogues, open houses, workshops, and online engagement opportunities will be held so that members of the public can have their say and help shape the Strategy. The process will also include the creation of a Social Sustainability Task Force through the Township’s Seniors Advisory Committee.

The Strategy will cost about $75,000 to complete and has been funded through this year’s municipal budget. The Strategy is expected to be completed in the spring of 2019, and implemented by the winter of 2020.

For updates on the Social Sustainability Strategy, sign up for eNews to receive information and learn about upcoming opportunities for input.

Learn more about Social Sustainability. 

For more information, contact Patrick Ward, Strategic / Social Planner, at 604-533-6140 or pward@tol.ca.