The 2024 Living Wage BC report shows that the living wage in Nelson has increased compared to 2023, driven mainly by higher rent (7.9%) and food costs (3.4%). Despite some cost reductions, essential expenses continue to rise, making the living wage significantly higher than the minimum wage. Government measures have not kept pace with these increases. The living wage is calculated for two parents working full-time to support a family of four, excluding debt repayment, savings, or caregiving costs.

Discover how the Nelson Tax Help Clinic empowered over 100 low-income earners during the 2024 tax season with free, efficient tax filing services. Learn about the significant economic impact and access our guide for replicating this successful poverty reduction strategy in your community.

The 2023 Living Wage for Families BC report is out and, not surprisingly, the Living Wage in Nelson (and everywhere else in the survey) is higher than 2022. The biggest increases in Nelson are rent and food, which are partly offset by reductions in childcare costs....

Nelson at its Best, in partnership with the Nelson Public Library, has delivered the final report on Public Space to Nelson City Council as well as the Development Services & Climate Leadership department. You can find the full report here.

Did you miss the May 30 Public Space event at the Civic Theatre and on Zoom? No problem! It was just the first part of our ongoing community exploration of public space and what it means to us—and there are still ways to learn more, get involved, and have your voice...

Nelson Nest Lab: Collaborative Climate Solutions for Nelson has completed its second phase of operation. Twenty-two community members have been participating in our second year of the Nest Lab. They are part of a supportive community of change makers developing skills...

Together Nelson is pleased to release it's Four-Year Community Action Strategy. This strategy marks the end of one year of community consultations, research, and strategy development designed to reduce poverty for up to 500 individuals in Nelson & Area over the...

Nelson at its Best has convened a community-based initiative, “Together Nelson”, launched last fall to better understand local poverty in order to create a four-year community action plan to reduce poverty in Nelson. This spring, community members across diverse...

Every second Friday 11:00am - noon, staring Oct. 23 and continuing until the end of March, the ‘Nelson at its Best’ program on Kootenay Co-op Radio (CJLY) will focus on current and emerging social issues. The intention is to have conversation-driven, deep dives around...

PAST ACCOMPLISHMENTS AND CONTRIBUTIONS Conducted a 2012 Community Survey that identified key community concerns around poverty, mental health, housing and employment, which remain priority issues End Poverty Initiative, begun in 2014, has conducted research, public...

…in helping to make Nelson a healthy and thriving community. Nelson is a wonderful place to live for many people   …Imagine what it might take to become a healthier and more caring, inclusive, and socially just community, for everyone… INTERESTED IN JOINING OUR...

How do you think City Council has performed over the last year? What’s important to Council? What’s important to you? All good relationships require open communication around how the relationship is working for both people involved. Our relationship with our elected...

Over 90 people took part in Kootenay-Columbia riding event on September 25, attended by six of the seven candidates. Here are links to coverage of the event:...

  BC’s childcare investments have major impact on 2019 living wage:  Dramatically lower out-of-pocket childcare costs offset increases in other family expenses   Living wage calculations for communities across BC decreased this year, according to a new...

The development of the Nelson and Area Volunteer Hub is underway with the completion of a Business Plan and Partner Program. The Hub will not only connect and support Nelson and Area’s significant group of organizations and volunteers, but also be a new community...

On Wednesday May 22, Nelson at its Best and West Kootenay EcoSociety co-facilitated a multi-sectoral round table around our current climate crisis with over 30 people participating from a broad cross-section of community life. The goal was not to debate the...

Nelson at its Best will be conducting three dynamic public engagement initiatives this coming Fall to enable Nelson and area citizens to voice their views and concerns: ‘Reverse’ All-Candidates Forum, First Annual City Council Check-in, and 2020 Community Survey A...

As of January 16, 2019, we have secured sufficient funds for the Development phase, which involves the development of a Business Plan to attract and secure an umbrella organization, community partners, donors and funders. The very nature of our Hub model is that it...

It’s official, we’ve changed our name..... SPAN Nelson, Social Planning Action Network Society, (formed and operating in Nelson BC since 2006) is now Nelson at its Best. Why?.... As many people know, Nelson at its Best has been the name of the SPAN Nelson initiated...