“Sustainable Communities in the North” looks to promote community resilience, not sustainability
Stacey Goyan
News Editor
This February, the Thunder Bay community will gather for its first sustainability conference, hosted by Lakehead University and Confederation College.
LUSU sustainability coordinator Alex Boulet says the conference is to be held annually, bringing forward new ideas on tackling environmental issues in northern Ontario.
Boulet, the conference’s chair, and his team have been actively involved in putting together the conference, which will take place on February 25th and 26th.
The theme of the conference will be developing community resilience to big energy.
Boulet says community resilience is a more useful course of action for northern communities than sustainability.
“It’s talking about how you can design your community so it can withstand shocks such as food shortages, energy, and all of the things that are going to come very soon, and still have stability and still have livelihoods for your families. It’s exactly what Thunder Bay and the rest of the community is looking for.”
Boulet also says the conference hopes to attract many of the diverse communities in the region, including Aboriginal and remote communities.
The conference aims to address what Boulet calls “weaknesses” in the Northern Ontario growth plan.
“If we consult all the same communities that they say they’ve consulted and come up with something completely different, then it will basically leave some questions to be asked.”
While no government officials have confirmed they will be in attendance, Boulet says he’s optimistic that members from either the provincial or federal government will attend.
Despite this, Boulet says the conference is not just aimed at government.
The student price for the conference is a mere $20, which includes all keynote speakers as well as four meals. He stated that the conference was aimed to attract the student community.
The conference will also feature workshops, roundtables, and a green expo. Boulet says various sessions will be available for both businesses and the general public.
Various sessions will be hosted including sewing workshops, tips on gardening in the northern climate, as well as information on how to get involved in local community gardens.
The conference will also host two high school students from every northern high school. Afterward, Boulet plans to host a vision-writing contest, in which students will write a story on what their community will look like 20 years, and what it will take to accomplish it.
Conference delegates will have the opportunity to listen to keynote speaker Peter Robinson, who is the CEO of the David Suzuki Foundation. Also speaking will be Hunter Lovins, who will discuss how businesses can profit from sustainability.
The conference will be split between the Lakehead University and Confederation College campuses. Boulet hopes this will foster more cooperation between the two institutions.
Registration for the conference can be done through the LUSU office or on their website, www.scn.lusu.ca.