The City's Role in Community Social Planning
The City of Prince George works with partner organisations and agencies to ensure residents are housed, physically active, safe, socially connected, proud of their community, and able to access services that foster their well-being. The City brings various services and infrastructure, related policies, and advocacy to its partnerships in an effort to realise its goals for the people of PG.
Prince George's Social Development Strategy
In 2010, an integrated community sustainability plan for Prince George, branded myPG, was completed to help Prince George realize a sustainable and prosperous future. myPG captures the results of extensive public and stakeholder engagement that created a vision of the long-term future of Prince George and outlines what the community needs to do to achieve that vision.
At the beginning of its term, Council considers how the City of Prince George can contribute to the vision and establishes priorities in four areas including: Social Development; Environment; Economic Development and; City Government.
The
myPG Social Development Strategy includes seven broad goals. Achieving these goals depends on the collaborative and progressive contribution of many sectors and partners. The City of Prince George is committed to fulfilling the role of local government in relation to these goals. This commitment prompted Council's establishment of a Select Committee on a Healthy City Framework in late 2016-2017. The Select Committee, with its diverse membership, was asked to advise Council how the City might best contribute to the achievement of myPG Social Development goals. Its recommendations are captured in the Social Development Strategy Recommendations 2018 report.
MyPG Social Development Goals
Affordable, Accessible Housing
Prince George has eliminated homelessness and offers all of its citizens accessible, affordable, and safe housing.
Clear Identify and Pride
Citizens of Prince George share a clear identity that the community can be proud of with a strong downtown and connections to its rivers and natural surroundings.
Cultural Richness
Citizens can enjoy a rich cultural life with more events, facilities, education, and community involvement in the arts.
Equity and Inclusion
People of all backgrounds, ethnicities, and income levels can access services that help to meet their needs and improve their quality of life.
Health and Wellness
Prince George is a community that encourages and supports health and wellness.
Safe Environment
Prince George is a community where all citizens feel safe.
Supportive and Engaged Community with Strong Neighbourhoods
Prince George is a friendly and engaged community with strong social connections that recognises, celebrates, and protects neighbourhood identities.
Special Projects
Collective Impact
In 2016, the City initiated a Collective Impact Process, which is a disciplined, cross-sector approach to solving complex social issues on a large scale. Prince George has chosen "improving health outcomes for children" as its common agenda. Having a common agenda allows multiple sectors to articulate the challenge to be addressed and establish clear and shared goals for change.
A Strategy Development Team comprised of representatives from The City of Prince George, School District 57, Northern Health, Prince George Native Friendship Centre, MCFD, UNBC, the Prince George Public Library, The Family YMCA of Northern BC (Lead agency, Integrated Youth Services Initiative) and Integris Credit Union has convened to develop strategies and associated actions that will collectively contribute to the shared achievement of the community's vision for improved health outcomes for children.
age-Friendly Action Plan
The City of Prince George aspires to create a community where people of all ages have a sense of belonging and live safely, actively, affordably and barrier-free in the community. The Age-Friendly Action Plan recognises that when the City designs and plans its community for eight and eighty-year-olds, everyone will be accommodated.
Strengthening Families Project
Funded by Public Safety Canada and supported with in-kind contributions, The Strengthening Families Program was launched in Prince George in October of 2014. Sessions are hosted by six schools in the community and the Prince George Native Friendship Centre. The main goals of the program are:
- To increase family strengths and resilience.
- To reduce risk factors for problem behaviours for children (including behavioural problems).
- To address emotional, academic and social problems.
- To improve family relationships.
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Reconciliation
Reconciliation is a process involving symbolic and practical actions that contribute to respectful relationships between indigenous and non-indigenous peoples. The City developed corporate strategies outlined in the Reconciliation Framework based on the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, recommendations from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, and the City's commitments as a member of the Canadian Coalition of Municipalities Against Racism and Discrimination (CCMARD).