How could Richmond residents feel more engaged and included in community life?

I think for citizens to feel included, there needs to be a common factor that would encourage participation and building of sense of belonging. Personally I always like to join community events that are about "Food". I attended the Nibble Event at Thompson Community Centre and thoroughly enjoyed it, unfortunately it got more costly every year and finally out of the picture. I hope to see more multicultural events with food as a main theme to attract public participation, such as International Food Fair, with sponsors and City support to make it affordable for everyone.

I believe people want to feel included but there are many hindrances. We have a large and diverse immigrant population. Many came to Canada thinking their credentials would be accepted and they could make a better life for their families. Lots of these folks end up working low wage service jobs and both parents have to work more than one job to survive with the high cost of living in Richmond. Rents are much too high for the average wage earner so we need affordable housing (where 30% of salary goes to housing, no more). Food is often imported and very expensive-we need to promote more local food growing and eating. When the cost of living is more affordable, people don't have to work as hard and can take time to be with their families, volunteer in the community, get to know their neighbours, and participate in local activities.

I think at the centre is a lack of common identity. Richmond has become 'sub-vancouver', that conglomeration of houses and businesses that is near Vancouver. If we want people to be involved with Richmond, there has to be a sense of what Richmond is and could be, something for people to be invested in.

Now what could this identity be? Well, I don't know. This isn't something we can just pop out of a hat. Look at how long it took Canada as a whole to have a sense of common identity, and even now our search hardly seems conclusive.

But more…

There is nothing so far on this discussion about the role of the arts and artists in the community. If a person goes to the BC arts Councils website, one can find how very much the arts contribute to a vibrant community and how they actually add financially as well. Yet, in Richmond we have an Arts Centre that is raising its rents so that many of the groups will be priced out of this taxpayer-built facility. There is no real opportunity for local artists to display their works. Once upon a time, the Art Gallery held an annual show more…

I have to agree with funfunyay, that Richmond seems to be loosing its identity. The media now refers to it as Metro Vancouver, when publishing a news report about anything that has happened within the City. We have much too large a population base to be spoken of in that way, unless the powers that be are planning on an amalgamation. (which we are not being told about).

We obviously need a stronger PR department in the City, as well as asking our City representatives who sit at the GVRD tables to ensure that they are seen as representing the CITY OF RICHMOND. That might help!

Create events in the neighbourhood centres like Fall Fairs or Snowmen Building contests which will allow people to make new friends and meet thy neighbourhood. Make new parks and cafes and community gardens to allow socializing places where you actually have to socialize. And like making the simpliest things like a strange public art piece as a conversation starter (ie. does it look like a pig to you? or what is it actually?)