CLBC welcomes new Board chair
Shane Simpson, CLBC Board Chair.
Community Living BC welcomes Shane Simpson as the new chair of CLBC’s board of directors, succeeding Michael J. Prince, who completes his second full term at the end of June 2024.
Simpson served as Minister of Social Development and Poverty Reduction from August 2017 until December 2020, and has long been a champion of community building. He was instrumental in working with community inclusion groups and across government to create a partnership table that launched the 10-year Re-imagining Community Inclusion (RCI) plan. He also initiated a public consultation process on accessibility and inclusion that formed the basis of the Accessible B.C. Act.
“As CLBC’s next board chair, Shane Simpson brings a familiar voice and a deep understanding of the needs of the CLBC community,” said Sheila Malcolmson, Minister of Social Development and Poverty Reduction. “Shane will keep lived experience at the centre of CLBC’s decision-making.”
“I found, during my time as minister, that CLBC’s success is built on quality, accountable service and a commitment to meaningful collaboration across the sector,” Simpson said. “I want to thank Minister Malcolmson for the opportunity to build on the great leadership of Michael Prince in these areas. I am excited and privileged by this opportunity.”
Shane Simpson starts as CLBC board chair in July 2024 and has been appointed to a three-year term.
Report highlights progress on RCI workplan
The B.C. government and members of the community inclusion sector have released the Re-imagining Community Inclusion (RCI) Impact Report. This report shares progress being made towards the objectives in the RCI Workplan 2022/23 – 2024/25.
The RCI initiative was first launched in May 2018 by the Minister of Social Development and Poverty Reduction in collaboration with community living partners from across the province, including CLBC. This resulted in the 2019 report Re-imagining Community Inclusion and its vision that “people with diverse abilities thrive fully and equally with everyone.”
The impact report provides updates on the work that has been done to help achieve this vision in four key areas:
- Develop more flexible housing options
- Ensure people have more and better employment opportunities
- Work with partners to improve access to health and mental health services
- Ensure services to Indigenous people are self-determined
Read the full RCI Impact Report here. You can also read the RCI Workplan here, as well as a plain language summary here.
Acknowledging traditional Indigenous territories
CLBC staff members are joined by Elder Kevin Kelly from the Kwantlen First Nation (third person from the right) at a recent land acknowledgment ceremony at CLBC’s Langley office.
Over the past year, CLBC has been taking part in land acknowledgement ceremonies as part of our Built Space initiative, honoring the unceded traditional ancestral territory of the communities we serve.
These ceremonies bring together Elders and members of local Indigenous communities, staff, agencies, families, individuals and community members. They hold immense importance in fostering reconciliation and cultivating culturally safe spaces and embody CLBC’s commitment to recognition and respect.
The practice of acknowledging Indigenous traditional territories is particularly important to CLBC as it aligns with our government mandate to adopt and implement the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, and the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada: Calls to Action. It is also a critical part of CLBC’s commitment to building relationships with Indigenous communities.
Each ceremony incorporates Indigenous artwork and land acknowledgments, enriching cultural inclusivity within CLBC offices and bringing awareness about Indigenous histories and cultures to both staff and visitors.
Built Space ceremonies have now taken place in Penticton, Kelowna, Prince George, Kamloops, Smithers, Vernon and Langley with more planned in the future.
Committee guides CLBC’s work on accessibility
Earlier this year, CLBC announced the founding members of our Accessibility Committee. The committee will help identify barriers for people with disabilities interacting with or working at CLBC, and provide advice on how to remove or prevent those barriers. This supports CLBC in meeting our obligations under the Accessible B.C. Act.
The CLBC Accessibility Committee met for the first time in March. Members reviewed the 2023-2026 CLBC Accessibility Plan and talked about ways CLBC can become a more accessible organization both in the short and long terms.
A key theme that came through at this first meeting was the importance of welcoming spaces. Committee members emphasized the first step for CLBC to become a more accessible organization is to help people feel welcome and safe in spaces that are easy to access.
Learn more about the committee members and stay updated on CLBC’s work on accessibility by visiting the CLBC website under Provincial Projects > Accessibility.
