By Curtis Galbraith

Community

2021 Vital Signs report to focus on pandemic recovery

Mar 11, 2021 | 6:30 AM

This year’s edition of the Vital Signs report is expected to focus on recovery from the pandemic.

The first data collection for the look at the state of this area is expected in April, with the report launch set for October.

Community Foundation of Northwestern Alberta CEO Laura LaValley says many different sectors have been affected.

“How it affects education, certain sectors specifically our charitable and non-profit sectors, health care, all of that. We think that there’s really nobody that hasn’t been affected by the pandemic and we’re really excited that Vital Signs 2021 will be able to zero in on the impacts and the effects.”

LaValley says the pandemic also means getting funding in place to do this year’s report has been a little bit behind schedule. In recent days, the City and County of Grande Prairie each agreed to kick in $20,000. The MD of Greenview will contribute $10,000.

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She adds organizers know things are changing day to day.

“So, we really feel like since there is no playbook for dealing with the pandemic, it’s really important for us to provide what data we do have. We think decision-makers across the board will be able to then benefit from having some evidence-based data to help make decisions.”

Surveys and consultation with the community would start in May and continue into July.

“That is just to allow us to have a chance to examine what the perceptions are in our communities. We know the story is not strictly surrounding data. It also takes into account how people feel and their opinions are about what is going on around them,” adds LaValley.

LaValley says they want to make sure the information they gather is useful for the municipalities that are providing the funding and for the ratepayers. They also want “community stakeholders around the table who can help us identify what some of the gaps and fault lines might be in our community.”

She adds the surveys will be done online and more information will be posted to the Foundation’s website and social media pages.