Do you feel like you belong?
It might sound like an easy question, but the answer might not be so simple for many people living in the capital region. It鈥檚 for this reason that the 2017 Victoria鈥檚 Vital Signs report, hitting shelves around Greater Victoria on Oct. 3, takes a second look at what it means to belong.
A survey of capital region residents for the report reveals that 25 per cent of us report feeling discriminated against 鈥渟ometimes,鈥� 鈥渇requently鈥� or 鈥渃onsistently,鈥� which is up from 19 per cent in 2016. Clearly, then, many of us don鈥檛 always feel that we鈥檙e accepted for who we are.
There is so much to celebrate when it comes to the capital region, from our world-famous natural landscapes, to our envious climate, to the rich array of cultural and recreational opportunities. But that doesn鈥檛 mean there isn鈥檛 room for improvement.
It鈥檚 understood that a sense of belonging can be extremely important when it comes to our sense of self-worth, comfort, security and wellbeing. So how do we encourage a greater sense of belonging? What role do our institutions, public policies and social structures play in creating belonging or barriers on the South Island? How do we help the one in four of us who feel left out? These are the questions tackled in the 2017 Victoria鈥檚 Vital Signs report.
Whereas last year we looked at how particular population groups felt connected or not, this time we look at what signals the community is sending to help us make those connections.
Also new this year are testimonials from notable figures in our community, such as City of Victoria Mayor Lisa Helps and The Hon. Judith Guichon, Lieutenant Governor of British Columbia, reflecting on how they use Victoria鈥檚 Vital Signs report to help guide decisions about our region. I鈥檓 so pleased to be able to include their perspectives, because ultimately that is the reason for producing this regional report card, not to point out deficiencies, but to aid all community leaders and citizens in identifying local challenges and making more informed decisions about key issues.
I encourage you to get your copy of the 2017 Victoria鈥檚 Vital Signs report and take the opportunity to learn about and reflect on our region, where we鈥檝e been, what we鈥檝e accomplished, and where we need to go to make Greater Victoria an even more vibrant, caring community for all.
Sandra Richardson is CEO of the Victoria Foundation.
Look for the Victoria鈥檚 Vital聽Signs report at victoriafoundation.bc.ca
