Lunenburg Part 2 - Section 5 - Social Vulnerability - August 30.pdf

Unfortunately, it is unclear if the engagement tactics chosen for the plan review process will
have ensured that all members of the public were fairly represented. Engagement sessions were
held at a golf course 157 – a location often associated with exclusivity, where marginalized groups
may not have felt comfortable or welcome. In discussing the issue of who should be invited to
participate in consultation, the inclusion of ‘key stakeholders’ is described as important to ensure
that ‘key informants’ are represented. 158 However, the criteria for determining these key
representatives are not provided, and the need to represent the interests of vulnerable groups
that may have limited political input is not discussed.
Finally, while members of the public identified over 100 issues and opportunities in the plan
review engagement session, council and staff prioritized these issues to create a short list. 159
The process for determining which issues to prioritize is not described; therefore it is unclear if
any measures were taken to ensure that the priorities of council and staff aligned with those of
the public, or that the interests of more powerful groups were not given precedence over those
of marginalized groups.
Overall, the District of Lunenburg’s Strategic Plan identifies laudable goals for improving the
quality of life of all residents, and includes some initiatives to address issues of social
vulnerability. However, in other areas the needs of less fortunate residents are not addressed,
and processes to ensure the consideration of marginalized groups may require improvement.
Integrated Community Sustainability Plan
The District’s Integrated Community Sustainability Plan identifies a range of environmental,
economic, social, and cultural issues in the Municipality. Key concerns include the implications
of a shrinking working age population on public services and economic activities; deteriorating
infrastructure, specifically roads; and the impacts on small communities from the loss of critical
public infrastructure such as schools. 160
One grouping of sustainability issues relates to the area’s economic viability. Considerations
include the need for increased employment opportunity in local communities, and Municipal
support for local businesses. For example, the ICSP contains the goals of supporting the
ongoing viability of private resource land, and increased employment in the resource sector,
such as through small woodlots and farms. 161 One Municipal action item is to increase the
promotion of local foods in order to increase consumer support for local food producers. 162
Increased employment opportunities could reduce social vulnerability in the District.
The ICSP contains a strategic goal to support the socio-economic viability of communities by
developing a range of housing and economic alternatives. This section acknowledges that most
employment is located outside of local communities, and mentions the impact the planning
policies can have on enabling or limiting the types of development that can occur. 163 However,
this section does not identify a need for planning controls to accommodate housing that meets
the needs of low-income or marginalized residents.
157 Ibid., p. 1.3.
158 Ibid., p. 2.6.
159 Ibid., p. 2.3.
160 Municipality of the District of Lunenburg, 2010a. p. 13.
161 Ibid., p. 15, 24.
162 Ibid., p. 25.
163 Ibid., p. 15.
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