Join Us for the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination

Resilience Whistler invites you to a special event in recognition of the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination on Tuesday, March 11, 2025, from 11:30 AM – 1:30 PM at The Westin Resort & Spa, Whistler.

We are honored to welcome Kasari Govender, BC’s Human Rights Commissioner, as our keynote speaker. Commissioner Govender will present insights from the Rights in Focus report, which examines systemic discrimination in British Columbia and its impact on racialized communities. Following her keynote, we will host a Q&A session and a community discussion to explore how these issues connect to Whistler and the Sea to Sky region.

This event will bring together local leaders, advocates, and community members to foster meaningful dialogue and action toward a more inclusive and equitable community.

📅 Date: Tuesday, March 11, 2025

📍 Location: The Westin Resort & Spa, Whistler

⏰ Time: 11:30 AM – 1:30 PM

🎟️ Sign Up Here

Click here for more details of the Rights in Focus report and about the speaker. 

We encourage you to attend and be part of this important conversation. Reserve your spot today!

We are thrilled to share that our recent Allyship Gathering at Alpine Café was a great success! Thank you to everyone who attended, engaged in meaningful conversations, and contributed to building a stronger, more inclusive community. It was inspiring to see so many passionate individuals come together to connect, share experiences, and discuss ways to foster resilience and anti-racism initiatives in Whistler and beyond.

A huge thank you to Alpine Café for hosting us and providing such a welcoming space for these important discussions. Your support makes a real difference in creating opportunities for open dialogue and collaboration.

With such an incredible turnout, we look forward to continuing these gatherings and creating more spaces for connection, learning, and action. Stay tuned for details on upcoming events—we can’t wait to see you at the next one!

On January 20th, We hosted an event on intercultural communication in diverse workforces, bringing together local employers, community members, and advocates for meaningful conversations about building stronger connections across cultures.

Our presenters, Carole Stretch and Paula Lattore, shared real-life case studies and practical strategies, sparking engaging discussions on overcoming communication challenges in diverse teams.

The event was a wonderful reminder of the power of dialogue and cultural awareness. Attendees left with fresh insights and actionable tools to create more inclusive and supportive workplaces in Whistler.

Thank you to everyone who joined us and made this event a success!

On November 28th, we hosted our first allyship gathering at Hunter Gather, and we’re incredibly grateful to them for providing such a warm and inviting space. The evening was a resounding success, with a fantastic turnout, engaging conversations, and meaningful connections made throughout.

Inspired by this momentum, we’re thrilled to announce that allyship gatherings will become a regular feature in 2025, taking place every other month starting in February. These gatherings will continue to serve as a platform for dialogue, collaboration, and community-building as we advance resilience and anti-racism initiatives together.

Based on our October event and discussions with the Allyship Committee, we have decided to offer multiple pathways for participation in discussions and initiatives around resilience, allyship, and racism. This approach aims to provide opportunities for as many people as possible to engage meaningfully in these important conversations and efforts…

Allyship (Advisory) Committee: If you want to get involved in planning decision-making, providing feedback, and guiding initiatives - but commit to coming regularly. Members of the Allyship Committee will play a vital role in shaping the direction and priorities of our efforts, ensuring we stay true to our mission.

Allyship Action groups: when you feel you want to get directly involved in a specific activity - Event Planning, Fundraising, and other

Allyship Gathering: Broader members of the Allyship will have the opportunity to connect in a more informal setting through networking events, such as the Allyship Gathering series. This provides a space for people to engage, stay updated on committee discussions, and share ideas and experiences without the obligations of committee membership. These gatherings allow for greater involvement and transparency and ensure everyone remains informed and connected to the Allyship’s ongoing initiatives.

On October 23rd, we held the much-anticipated event, Exploring the Realities of a Diverse Workforce, bringing together community members, local employers, and advocates to discuss the challenges and opportunities faced by workers from diverse backgrounds in Whistler. Through panel discussions and open dialogues, participants gained valuable insights into the experiences of Temporary Foreign Workers (TFWs), as well as broader diversity and inclusion issues in the local workforce.

The event underscored the importance of fostering greater cultural understanding. Attendees left with a deeper awareness of the workforce’s diversity and the importance of building a more inclusive and supportive environment for all.

Temporary Foreign Workers (TFWs) play a critical role in supporting Whistler’s hospitality and tourism industries. Based on 70 interviews with TFWs on closed work permits, this report highlights the key challenges these workers face, including:

• Mismatch Between Worker and Employer Expectations: Over 60% of workers reported discrepancies between job contracts and the reality of their work, such as longer hours or additional duties.

• Fear of Job and Immigration Loss: More than 70% of workers expressed fear of losing their jobs, which could also result in losing their immigration status.

• Housing Instability: 65% of workers faced housing issues, including overcrowding, deteriorating conditions, or unfulfilled housing promises, with some reporting invasions of privacy.

• Cultural and Religious Barriers: Workers reported difficulties with religious practices due to unsuitable accommodations and a lack of cultural sensitivity.

• Language and Communication Challenges: Language barriers created misunderstandings in the workplace and contributed to social isolation.

• Contract Violations and Underpayment: Several workers experienced underpayment and contract breaches, with many fearing retaliation if they raised these issues.

Despite these challenges, the Temporary Foreign Worker Program remains crucial to addressing labour shortages, supporting economic growth, and enhancing workplace diversity. However, the report calls for systemic changes to address the vulnerabilities TFWs face, particularly around housing, employment conditions, and cultural inclusivity. 

Following the wide-ranging discussions at the March 21 event, the Allyship committee decided to explore each of the four topics that the 2021 survey had highlighted in greater detail. The first of these is employment, and on October 23, 2024 we're holding a panel discussion for HR professionals, managers, business owners, and anyone interested in fostering an inclusive workplace.

What to expect...

• Panel discussion - hear local perspectives from organizations with diverse workforces and how they support their diverse teams. Panelists include staff, supervisor and management level representatives of the Whistler Multicultural Society, Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Centre, Whistler Cooks, and Sundial Hotel

• Networking opportunities - connect with like-minded professionals and build your network of support for enhancing diversity and inclusion in your business

• Resources and strategies - learn what peer organizations are doing. There’ll also be a range of materials and resources available for participants to access and take away.

Our aim is to address the practical realities of working with teams from different cultures, with different languages and different backgrounds and histories. 

On September 20th and 26th 2023 we met with 15 people across two meetings to discuss the kinds of programs and legislation the community wants to see from the Government of B.C. and the Whistler Multicultural Society. Nine different questions were posed to the groups to gain a better understanding of the support needed by the community and how current legislation and programs are impacting racial groups. A full report has now been submitted to the provincial government. 

Key recommendations outlined in the report:

• Validate the experiences of equity seeking people and acknowledge the systemic racial issues within Whistler

• Change the narrative about who makes up the Whistler community

• Increase governmental and social resources to support those experiencing racism and make them more accessible through the use of comprehensible language and ease of access

If you are interested in seeing the full report click here.