June 3, 2025 Workshop – Vision and Values

At a glance

On June 3, 2025, approximately fifty community members gathered at the Quadra Island Community Centre for the first Economic Diversification Workshop. This session marked the start of the community engagement process for the Quadra Island Economic Diversification Plan.
The goal of the day was to explore what economic diversification should look and feel like for Quadra Island. Participants identified shared values, reflected on needs and aspirations across four dimensions of well-being, mapped community strengths and challenges, and began naming gaps and opportunities. The insights collected in this workshop provided the foundation for the community survey, interviews, and the second workshop held in October.

Download June 3, 2025 Workshop Summary Report (PDF)

Purpose and context

The June 3 workshop was designed to:

Introduce the Quadra Island Economic Diversification Planning Project and its partners.
Invite community members to articulate values that should guide future economic decisions.
Surface early themes, strengths, and challenges related to livelihoods, services, housing, environment, and community well-being.
Begin building a shared foundation for later engagement steps, including a community-wide survey and targeted interviews.

The session opened with a territorial acknowledgement of We Wai Kai lands, a brief overview of the project and its funding (including support from REDIP and ICET), and an explanation of how workshop input would feed directly into the Economic Diversification Plan.

Activity 1 – Community values

In the first activity, participants were asked: "What values should guide economic decisions on Quadra Island?" Each person wrote their ideas on sticky notes and posted them on a shared wall. Facilitators then grouped the notes into themes.
From this exercise, several value clusters emerged, including:

Community and connection – Caring for one another, maintaining strong social ties, and looking out for neighbours.
Collaboration and trust – Working together across organizations and sectors, and building trust in decision-making.
Diversity and inclusion – Supporting a diverse range of people, perspectives, and livelihoods, including honour and respect for First Nations.
Environmental stewardship – Taking care of forests, shorelines, and waters; living within ecological limits; and planning for climate resilience.
Sustainable livelihoods – Creating year-round work and income that are aligned with the island’s values and environment.
Well-being and quality of life – Focusing on health, safety, recreation, and access to everyday needs.
Personal ethics and character – Acting with integrity, responsibility, and care.

These values now serve as a touchstone for the Economic Diversification Plan: recommended actions are assessed against whether they support, and do not undermine, these shared values.

Activity 2 – Exploring ideas through the Four Dimensions Framework

The second activity used a Four Dimensions Framework to explore what a thriving Quadra Island could look like from multiple angles. Participants worked in small groups to discuss needs, strengths, and aspirations under four interconnected dimensions: Economic, Environmental, Socio-Cultural, and Psychological.

Economic dimension

Discussions in the economic dimension highlighted themes such as:

Local economic development and entrepreneurship, including small businesses, trades, and arts.
Housing and affordability as a core constraint for residents, workers, and local employers.
Sustainable use of natural resources and support for regenerative sectors.
Infrastructure and services necessary to enable livelihoods, such as reliable power, connectivity, and transport.
Education, skills development, and training pathways for youth and adults.
Tourism and cultural economy opportunities that reflect local values and benefit residents.
The need for coordinated planning and policy to support a diverse and resilient economy.

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Environmental dimension

In the environmental dimension, participants spoke about:

Land and forest stewardship, including concerns about logging practices and long-term forest health.
Water protection, climate resilience, and preparedness for changing weather patterns.
Renewable energy and sustainable infrastructure, including interest in local energy solutions.
Sustainable transportation options that reduce emissions and improve access.
Engagement of residents in environmental initiatives and decision-making.
Local food systems, gardening, and farming as part of both environmental and economic resilience.
The importance of protected natural spaces, parks, and recreation areas.

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Socio-cultural dimension

In the socio-cultural dimension, key themes included:

Inclusive and affordable living for a range of ages, incomes, and abilities.
Culture and creativity, including arts, music, and local events.
Community connection and belonging, especially for newcomers and marginalized groups.
Learning and intergenerational exchange, including mentorship and shared spaces.
Reconciliation, inclusion, and stronger relationships with Indigenous communities.
Communication, civic engagement, and opportunities to participate in decisions.
Transportation and accessibility as enablers of social participation.

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Psychological dimension

Under the psychological dimension, people highlighted:

The importance of feeling connected, safe, and supported in the community.
Mental health and holistic support for stress, isolation, and change.
Purpose and personal growth through meaningful work, volunteering, and creative expression.
Access to nature and quiet spaces as sources of restoration and resilience.
Stability and predictability in basic needs such as housing, income, and services.
Shared community spirit and pride in place.

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Interconnected priorities

Across all four dimensions, several interconnected priorities emerged, including:

Community connection and belonging.
Environmental sustainability and stewardship.
Accessibility and equity in access to services and opportunities.
Education, capacity building, and local leadership.
Resilience and adaptability in the face of economic and climate change.

These cross-cutting themes helped shape how future conversations and analysis were framed in the project.

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Activity 3 – Mapping community strengths and challenges

The third activity invited participants to reflect on Quadra Island’s strengths and challenges. Groups identified assets such as:

Natural beauty, outdoor recreation opportunities, and proximity to the ocean.
A strong arts and cultural scene and active community organizations.
Skilled tradespeople, small businesses, and volunteers.
Core infrastructure and services, including the ferry link to Campbell River.
A strong sense of community spirit and mutual support.

At the same time, participants named challenges including:

Housing shortages and rising costs, affecting residents, workers, and businesses.
An aging population and volunteer burnout across many community roles.
Gaps in employment opportunities, especially year-round and youth-friendly work.
Limited transportation options and concerns about connectivity.
Gaps in services (for example, health and social services) and the need for stronger collaboration.

Activity 4 – Gaps, bridges, and opportunities

Building on the strengths and challenges, the final activity asked participants to identify key gaps, and then brainstorm potential "bridges" and opportunities. Examples included:

Housing and affordability – Exploring zoning changes, gentle density, multigenerational and small-footprint housing models, and new partnerships to create attainable homes.
Transportation and mobility – Considering shuttle services, ride-sharing, cycling and e-bike infrastructure, and better connections to services on and off island.
Health and social services – Strengthening collaboration with Island Health and other agencies to expand access to care and support.
Economic opportunities – Supporting local businesses and entrepreneurs, diversifying beyond seasonal tourism, and building on arts, culture, and local food.
Coordination and capacity – Recognizing the need for dedicated roles or structures to connect initiatives, support volunteers, and pursue funding.

In the full report, a table aligns specific gaps with potential bridges and opportunity ideas. These early ideas were later refined through the survey, interviews, and the October workshop.

How June 3 shaped the rest of the project

The June 3 workshop was the starting point for the project’s engagement process. Its outcomes were used to:

Develop and refine the questions for the community survey.
Shape the interview guide for key knowledge holder interviews.
Identify early priorities and tensions to explore in more detail.
Provide a value-based framework for assessing future ideas.

The themes and priorities identified on June 3 appear throughout the rest of the project: in the survey findings, interviews, the October 4 workshop, and ultimately in the Economic Diversification Plan and its implementation roadmap.

Download June 3, 2025 Workshop Summary Report (PDF)