The Nanaimo Mayor’s Task Force on Recovery and Resilience has suggested prioritizing strategic investment, improving transportation, reconciliation with local First Nations, supporting small businesses and preparing for future disasters in its report presented to council.
The group spent six months speaking to community members in an effort to help council guide the city’s recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.
The first suggestion is a citizen-directed campaign to encourage enthusiasm for Nanaimo’s natural beauty and existing opportunities for education, business, culture and recreation.
“Pride of place is lacking in our community. We need to take it back,” said Donna Hais, task force member and Nanaimo Port Authority board chair. She said encouraging community members to say one positive thing about the city per day would help remind residents of the best aspects of Nanaimo.
Task force members participated in several workshops to generate ideas and potential actions for council to consider integrating into the city’s overall plans.
“I want to express my gratitude to each task force member for volunteering their time and for collaborating on paths forward so that, together, we can continue building a healthy and connected community,” said Mayor Leonard Krog. “The recommendations put forth by the task force for Nanaimo city council’s consideration will help council map out a road to economic recovery and community resiliency.”
The task force also suggested establishing a Mayor’s Nanaimo Leaders Table to receive recommendations from various committees and work with different levels of government to lobby for capital infrastructure.
The report included a focus on strategic investing to improve services in downtown Nanaimo and build an additional hospital, where residents can see specialists not currently available in the city.
The full report entitled “Building a Healthy and Connected Community” can be read at www.nanaimo.ca/goto/mayors-task-force.
