1. Civil Society in Metropolitan Governance: Metro Vancouver, Corporate Relations Heather Schoemaker Manager, Corporate Relations Metro Vancouver

2. Presentation Outline History of civil society engagement History of civil society engagement Public outreach and involvement Public outreach and involvement Civil society engagement Civil society engagement Public consultationsPublic consultations Public ForumsPublic Forums

3. History of civil society involvement Harry Lash, Director of Planning, GVRD, 1969-1975 Harry Lash, Director of Planning, GVRD, 1969-1975 Three parts to the planning process: Three parts to the planning process: PoliticiansPoliticians PlannersPlanners PeoplePeople 1970s - defining livability 1970s - defining livability 1980s - “Choosing Our Future” 1980s - “Choosing Our Future”

4. Public outreach and involvement Metro Vancouver meetings open to the public Metro Vancouver meetings open to the public Delegations heard at meetings Delegations heard at meetings Representation on advisory committees Representation on advisory committees Collaborative implementation of policies & regulations Collaborative implementation of policies & regulations Website: information, statistics, and reports Website: information, statistics, and reports Public consultations Public consultations Public forums Public forums

5. Public outreach and involvement Public education campaigns Public education campaigns Tours of facilities (watersheds, utilities) Tours of facilities (watersheds, utilities) Opportunities for volunteer activity Opportunities for volunteer activity Outreach to schools Outreach to schools The Sustainable Region TV show The Sustainable Region TV show

6. Civil society engagement Public consultations Public consultations Public forums Public forums

7. Public consultations Consultations on projects, plans and initiatives Consultations on projects, plans and initiatives Large and small public meetings, open houses Large and small public meetings, open houses Input via telephone, correspondence (email / letter) Input via telephone, correspondence (email / letter) Web surveys Web surveys Report to Metro Vancouver Committees & Boards Report to Metro Vancouver Committees & Boards Maintain dialogue between consultations Maintain dialogue between consultations

8. Public forums Livability and Sustainability Livability and Sustainability Urban Region – systems of systems Urban Region – systems of systems Collaborative governance Collaborative governance

9. Public forums Metro Vancouver - Principal political organization operating at a regional scale Principal political organization operating at a regional scale Main forum for community / political discussion on issues affecting the regionMain forum for community / political discussion on issues affecting the region Significant instrument for informing the community on regional issuesSignificant instrument for informing the community on regional issues Leadership, Catalyst and Facilitator Role Leadership, Catalyst and Facilitator Role Complex regional issuesComplex regional issues

10. Public forums Future of the Region Sustainability Dialogues Future of the Region Sustainability Dialogues Sustainability Community Breakfasts Sustainability Community Breakfasts Sustainability Summits Sustainability Summits

11. Future of the Region Sustainability Dialogues In 2006 and 2007 - 31 dialogues across the region, which engaged over 2,000 citizens In 2006 and 2007 - 31 dialogues across the region, which engaged over 2,000 citizens assist decision makers shape the future of the region by inviting a range of views which challenge conventional wisdom and stimulate fresh thought on regional issues assist decision makers shape the future of the region by inviting a range of views which challenge conventional wisdom and stimulate fresh thought on regional issues transportation, labour and immigration, industry, health and wellness, housing, energy, drugs and crime, culture, security and safety, regional economy, and agriculture transportation, labour and immigration, industry, health and wellness, housing, energy, drugs and crime, culture, security and safety, regional economy, and agriculture

12. Future of the Region Sustainability Dialogues Private sector, public sector, elected officials, academics, community leaders, media, concerned citizens Private sector, public sector, elected officials, academics, community leaders, media, concerned citizens Partners - Chambers of Commerce /Boards of Trade Partners - Chambers of Commerce /Boards of Trade

13. Future of the Region Sustainability Dialogues Create a unique space for open discussion Create a unique space for open discussion Address complex regional issues Address complex regional issues Identify opportunities for action Identify opportunities for action

14. Sustainability Community Breakfasts Networking opportunities for citizens and organizations interested in sustainability Networking opportunities for citizens and organizations interested in sustainability Monthly meetings Monthly meetings Presentations and updates on on-going projects Presentations and updates on on-going projects Up to 150 participants in each meeting Up to 150 participants in each meeting

15. Sustainability Summits Beginning in 2008 - high level biannual meetings (with sub- regional meetings in the off-year) Beginning in 2008 - high level biannual meetings (with sub- regional meetings in the off-year) Review progress towards collaboratively set sustainability targets, set new targets and exchange experience Review progress towards collaboratively set sustainability targets, set new targets and exchange experience Collaborative governance and implementation Collaborative governance and implementation Shaping a sustainable regionShaping a sustainable region Building trust amongst actorsBuilding trust amongst actors Creating integrated solutionsCreating integrated solutions

16. Livable Region Strategy Plan Review towards 2031 Questions? Heather.Schoemaker@metrovancouver.orghttp://www.metrovancouver.org