Small communities with tourist economies like Salt Spring Island and Tofino face many challenges and opportunities.
=0D=0A=How does tourism affect small communities? Can such communities thrive year-round? Can they provide “living wage” jobs? Can they be environmentally sustainable? What lessons can Salt Spring Island and Tofino, British Columbia learn from each other?
=0D=0A=Join the Salt Spring Forum for a discussion about thriving and sustainable small communities with Josie Osborne, the Mayor of the District of Tofino, who was recently re-elected to a third term.
=0D=0A=A self-described ‘community builder,’ Osborne grew up on Vancouver Island immersed in her parents’ small businesses and mentored in community service by them.
=0D=0A=After completing university, Osborne moved to Tofino to pursue a career in marine biology and environmental education. Fifteen years later, she became a small business owner. She also chaired the board of Tofino’s destination marketing organization, Tourism Tofino.
=0D=0A=As mayor of a progressive rural municipality, Osborne’s primary interests are governance, civic engagement and communication. She believes that solutions to many challenges can be found in a community’s knowledge base.
=0D=0A=In addition to her mayoral duties, Osborne currently chairs the board of the Island Coastal Economic Trust (ICET) while also serving on the BC Clean Growth and Climate Action Advisory Council.
=0D=0A=Join Josie Osborne for a unique comparative perspective on small community governance, tourism, sustainable development, and more!
=0D=0A=Tickets are available at ArtSpring – 250-537-2102 and www.tickets.artspring.ca– & at Salt Spring Books. $15 – 2019 Forum Members; $20 General Public. Students & low-income residents contact forum@saltspringforum.com.
=0D=0A=DTSTART:19691231 DTEND:19700101 END:VEVENT END:VCALENDAR