POW Canada’s Townhall Tour: Protecting Our Outdoor Future

POW Canada’s Townhall Tour recognizes that from deep winters to long summer days, outdoor recreation drives the heartbeat of our mountain communities. It supports our jobs, businesses, and local economies. Yet, as climate change increasingly brings unpredictable snowfall, intense wildfires, floods, and landslides, mountain towns across British Columbia face growing uncertainty. Protect Our Winters (POW) Canada is taking this conversation to the heart of our communities this April with a series of townhall meetings in Whistler, Revelstoke, Fernie, and Nelson.

These free events are set to unite business owners, municipal leaders, athletes, scientists, and local community members to discuss actionable strategies for building resilience in the face of these pressing challenges. The discussions will center around key insights from POW Canada’s Economic Report, providing a clear snapshot of what’s at stake for our outdoor-driven economies.

British Columbia’s outdoor recreation economy generates approximately $102 billion annually and supports one million jobs nationwide, significantly contributing to tourism revenue, job creation, and community development in towns like Fernie, Nelson, Whistler, and Revelstoke. Yet, climate disruptions—such as shorter winters and unpredictable snowpacks—pose immediate threats to the stability and longevity of these economic foundations.

POW Canada’s townhalls will foster meaningful conversations about solutions that address these climate challenges head-on. Attendees will explore pathways to protect our natural landscapes, enhance sustainability in business practices, and advocate for stronger policies that safeguard the future of our outdoor spaces.

Beyond economic importance, outdoor recreation in BC offers tremendous non-economic benefits—promoting physical and mental health, fostering social inclusion, deepening our connection to nature, and supporting stewardship and reconciliation initiatives.

The importance of outdoor recreation was underscored by a recent Ipsos poll indicating that 89% of BC residents support increased government investment in outdoor amenities, highlighting broad public recognition of the sector’s value.

Join POW Canada’s townhall events to contribute your voice, share your ideas, and be part of a collective movement toward securing the future we all envision: vibrant communities, sustainable economies, and preserved natural environments for generations to come.

Let’s protect our winters—and summers—together.

Photos: Fernie Townhall