Reticence doesn’t mean all is well.

I’m a person who has quite a lot of privilege (straight, cis, white, male) so my needs are met by default in Chilliwack and society generally. But, from talking with friends, acquaintances, colleagues and community members over the years, I’m well aware that Chilliwack has a history (and continuing contemporary issues) that have actively or by default marginalized our BIPOC and LGBTQ2S citizens. I think that this MTFIDA is an important step, and I’m very hopeful it will lead to concrete measurable goals for change and improvement. I do worry that many people’s past experiences in town will not make them comfortable or motivated to participate in this feedback. So, if there is low engagement, we cannot assume all is well. Anyone with even the most cursory knowledge of Chilliwack in just the last several years knows there is a lot of work to be done on inclusion, diversity, and accessibility in our town.