From 2016 to 2021, the City of Fort St. John partnered with the University of Northern British Columbia's Community Development Institute to develop The Forge, their first "in-community" office.
The Community Development Institute worked with the community to realize the potential of Fort St. John's people and economy. With experience and expertise in community and economic development, The Forge worked in partnership with industry, local businesses, non-profit and community organizations, First Nations, and all levels of government to develop strategies for economic diversification and community resilience.
The Forge conducted research in collaboration with community partners to facilitate informed decision-making that helps policy and decision-makers develop and implement plans and strategies for economic and community development. Through this work, numerous research documents have been developed.
Community Profile
The Community Profile highlights demographic and socio-economic trends to provide insights into the dynamics of the population and local economy. This profile will be used as a baseline and reference point for future planning initiatives.
Community Profile - Phase 1 - Winter 2018 [PDF/3.2MB]
Community Indicators Program
The development of the Community Indicator Program links the City's Vision, Principles, and Strategic Plan to the necessary framework to measure and track important social, economic, and environmental issues.
Community Indicators Program - Indicators [PDF/2.6MB]
Community Indicators Program - Report - Winter 2018 [PDF/2.7MB]
Your Voice: Community Survey
The Forge conducted a survey of over 1,000 residents during the fall of 2018. This community survey will form the basis of the development of a Social Policy Framework and guide future decision-making on community investments. Residents provided information on the following topics: economy, education, services, community engagement, environment, facilities and services, and community change.
Your Voice: Community Survey - Summary Report - Winter 2018 [PDF/2.6MB]
Your Voice: Community Survey - Survey Report - Winter 2018 [PDF/2.7MB]
Age-Friendly Assessment and Action Plan
This assessment looked at assets and barriers regarding the age-friendliness of Fort St. John.
Age-Friendly Assessment and Action Plan - Summary Report - Winter 2018 [PDF/1MB]
Age-Friendly Assessment and Action Plan - Survey Report - Winter 2018 [PDF/3MB]
The City of Fort St. John and the Community Development Institute (CDI) at the University of Northern British Columbia (UNBC) prepared the Energizing our Future: The Social and Economic Development Framework for Fort St. John.
Energizing our Future
The framework recognizes that social and economic development are intimately intertwined and mutually supportive. The whole community must work together to enhance the quality of life and realize economic potential. This community plan belongs to passionate and committed citizens and organizations that want to make a difference by working together to build social capacity and economic growth and diversification. Broken into 15 social and economic action areas identified through extensive community input, it sets the stage for all facets of the community to embark on a journey together; to seize opportunities, address challenges, and navigate change.
With this framework, the community will engage in a more comprehensive approach to future decisions. For example, a new industrial investment in Fort St. John will trigger questions about the impact on housing, transportation, public services, retail and services, workforce development, and inclusion and belonging. The holistic and comprehensive approach outlined in Energizing Our Future: The Social and Economic Framework for Fort St. John will allow the community to identify opportunities to maximize benefit and reduce risks and costs associated with investments and decisions. The framework will serve as a tool to guide decisions, support consistent and effective results, and monitor progress.
Read Energizing Our Future: The Social and Economic Framework for Fort St. John [PDF/4.5MB]