Vibrant Communities Charter
Whereas: Health care costs – specifically illness – require an ever increasing portion of government budgets, and subsequently tax payer dollars. This means fewer resources available to address the social, economic and environmental factors that impact community wellbeing.
Whereas: Living conditions shape the well-being of Manitobans - some people are less healthy than others due to low household income, low levels of education, lack of adequate housing or poor working conditions. These social and economic conditions are the main cause of the huge disparities that exist.
Whereas: Social, economic and environmental factors impact well-being, there is a need for a more integrated approach to building vibrant, healthy, sustainable communities. This integration means creating and supporting a process and system that meets locally identified needs, not implementing national or provincial priorities directed at local issues.
Whereas: The Province of Manitoba supported further alignment of efforts to build healthy communities which resulted in Vibrant Communities: A Plan for Action.
Whereas: The development of Vibrant Communities: A Plan for Action brought together those involved in the development of existing strategies and frameworks and representatives for existing coalitions and networks resulting in a shared vision, mission, guiding principles and priorities for moving forward – community development and healthy public policy.
Whereas: The Vibrant Communities Charter, further outlining a shared vision, was developed as part of the Vibrant Communities Plan for Action.
Whereas: Achieving this vision will be determined by the ability of those addressing the economic, environmental, and social well-being of communities to work together.
Whereas: Vibrant Communities are created when residents and decision makers recognize well-being is a reflection of society’s commitment to equity and justice and work toward a shared vision (as outlined in the Charter) which includes:
- Community spaces to connect with others and nature as part of daily life
- Secure and affordable housing for all
- Sustainable transportation, including walkable streets, accessible public transit and places to cycle and wheel safely
- Required goods (e.g. healthy foods) and services (e.g. education and health) available to all
- Infrastructure decisions that protect the environment and save money in the long run
- Sustainable agriculture that is locally-supported - rural and urban
- Healthy, safe and meaningful work that is close to home
- Meaningful participation in community life and decision making by all
Be it resolved that:
CCEDNet Manitoba will work with all levels of government including First Nations and Metis and Inuit, the private sector, non-government organizations, and community members to achieve the vision of Vibrant Communities as outlined in the Vibrant Communities Charter.
