VIEA Perspective on "Economy and Ecology in Balance"
2012 Summit Theme: Mission Possible a 50-Year Vision for Vancouver Island
The State of the Island Economic Summit hosted by the Vancouver Island Economic Alliance (VIEA) is an important meeting place for building collaboration between communities. Following the keynote address by Mark Carney, Governor of the Bank of Canada, a featured breakout session on October 15th is the “Forum within the Summit” organized by the CAVI (Convening for Action on Vancouver Island) initiative.
In looking at the big picture, VIEA and CAVI both have the audacity to suggest that communities should be looking at a 50-year vision for Vancouver Island. “Perhaps the most important objective,” says VIEA President, George Hanson, “is bringing together settlement, ecology and economy in balance.”
“VIEA collaboration with CAVI has created an opportunity for early success in moving forward with a 50-year vision. The ‘CAVI Forum within the Summit’ can provide a 
springboard to Island-wide action,” states Dave Willie, VIEA Chair (and Councilor with the Town of Qualicum Beach). “Together we can achieve much. Just imagine the strength of committed individuals all working towards a common focus.”
“The essence of the VIEA-CAVI partnership is contained in the phrase economy and ecology in balance. VIEA promotes regional initiatives that strengthen economic capacity; and CAVI represents the ecological perspective through its championing of green infrastructure and water sustainability. Looking ahead, ‘economy and ecology in balance’ is a message that we will both be communicating in the public realm in an educational context.”
Posted October 2012