The BC Healthy Communities (BCHC) initiative was launched in the Fall of 2005, with funding from the BC Ministry of Health. Our office is located in Victoria, and is housed by the Union of BC Municipalities (UBCM) at 525 Government Street. 

 

Internationally, the Healthy Cities movement was born in 1986 through a meeting convened by the World Health Organization (WHO). Since then the movement has grown to involve thousands of cities and towns in over 80 countries who have initiated their own healthy communities initiative. The concept of healthy communities has focused around the common themes of: Community Involvement, Intersectoral Partnerships, Local Government Commitment, Sustainable and Green Communities, Safe and Liveable Communities and a growing focus on Human Development.

 

In Canada, there are Healthy Communities networks Ontario, New Brunswick and Quebec. You can find out more about the history of the Healthy Cities/Communities here.