Updated November 17, 2011

The Southwest Alberta Sustainable Community Initiative (SASCI), in collaboration with the Municipal District of Pincher Creek No. 9, is undertaking a Community Values Assessment intended to help the MD consider community values more effectively in decision-making and develop better practices for land use and land management. 

The Assessment will engage a broad spectrum of the public within the MD of Pincher Creek. The goal is to identify community values related to the natural, social, and economic environment.  The study will also consider the relative priority of those values, and identify factors contributing to convergence and divergence in values across the MD.  The findings of the Community Values Assessment, which will be made available to the public, will assist the MD and all stakeholders to assess the compatibility of proposed developments in relation to the community’s values.

The Assessment will employ a range of methods to engage a representative cross-section of the community.  The Assessment began with a telephone survey of MD residents in June 2011.  A series of small group discussions with representatives of key economic and socio-cultural sectors and stakeholder groups were held in June and July.  A follow-up session was held in September with some participants of the group discussions to validate the initial findings and discuss next steps.  The final report is now being drafted.

The draft report of the Assessment will be presented to the MD before the end of the year, and the final report will be presented to the community probably in the new year.  

SASCI has engaged The Praxis Group™ to assist in conducting the Assessment.  Praxis is an Alberta-based and Alberta-owned firm with considerable experience in public and stakeholder consultation, survey research, facilitation, and focus group design and implementation.  Praxis has undertaken a wide range of stakeholder engagement projects and assignments within Alberta and across western Canada, and was selected following a competitive bidding process.  SASCI is playing a coordinating role in the Assessment, framing survey and focus group questions, identifying community resources, and providing local support.  Praxis has conducted the survey, facilitated the focus group and workshop discussions, and is preparing and presenting the Assessment findings.

The MD of Pincher Creek and the provincial Rural Community Adaptation Program are funding this process.  

For more information, or if you wish to participate in and/or contribute to the study, please contact David Green, Manager, at dgreen@sasci.ca, Celesa Horvath, SASCI Board Chair, at chorvath@sasci.ca, or call the SASCI office at (403) 627-1750.