2026 Tofino Workshop
Nestled on the west coast of Vancouver Island, Tofino is a vibrant coastal community known for its natural beauty, rich cultural heritage, and strong connection to the ocean. While its stunning landscapes attract visitors from around the world, Tofino also faces unique challenges from natural hazards, including storms, coastal flooding, and other climate-related risks.
To support the community in preparing for these challenges, we are hosting a two-day Community Resilience Workshop. The workshop brings together local stakeholders, practitioners, and community members to reflect on the results of last year’s Community Asset Mapping (CAM) and to participate in Stress Test Exercises. These sessions provide hands-on opportunities to assess community vulnerabilities, explore potential challenges, and strengthen strategies for resilience. By combining insights from the CAM with practical stress-testing activities, the workshop aims to foster collaboration, knowledge sharing, and action-oriented planning for a more resilient Tofino.
Workshop Overview
Join us for the Community Resilience Workshop, a multi-day event focused on strengthening local communities.
- Morning sessions present the results of last year’s CAM workshop, highlighting key findings and community insights.
- Afternoon sessions feature interactive Stress Test Exercises, where participants explore potential challenges and test strategies to enhance community resilience.
Workshop Agenda
| Date/Time | Session & Location |
|---|---|
| TUESDAY, APRIL 14 | |
| 10 AM – 12 PM |
Community Asset Mapping Workshop This session presents the results of last year’s CAM workshop, highlighting key findings and community insights. Location: Clayoquot Sound Theatre @ 380 Campbell St, Tofino |
| 12 PM – 1 PM |
Lunch (for those attending the full day) Location: Clayoquot Sound Theatre @ 380 Campbell St, Tofino |
| 1 PM – 3 PM |
Stress Test Workshop (Session A) Participants engage in a Stress Test exercise to explore potential challenges and test strategies for strengthening community resilience. Location: Clayoquot Sound Theatre @ 380 Campbell St, Tofino |
| WEDNESDAY, APRIL 15 | |
| 10 AM – 12 PM |
Stress Test Workshop (Session B) This session repeats the Stress Test exercise with a different group of participants, offering hands-on practice to assess community preparedness and strengthen resilience strategies. Location: Clayoquot Sound Theatre @ 380 Campbell St, Tofino |
Community Resilience Workshop: CAM Insights & Stress Test Exercises
On April 14–15, 2026, community members and project partners gathered once again in Tofino for an interactive and collaborative workshop focused on building a more resilient future together.
The day began by revisiting the Community Asset Mapping (CAM) results from last year’s workshop. Participants explored a rich picture of Tofino’s strengths—from local knowledge and community networks to critical resources that support preparedness and response. This session sparked reflection and conversation about how these assets continue to shape the community’s ability to respond to challenges.
Building on this foundation, the workshop shifted into a hands-on stress test exercise. Through realistic scenarios, participants worked together to explore how the community might respond under pressure. The activity encouraged open discussion, creative thinking, and shared problem-solving, helping to uncover both strengths and areas where additional support or planning may be needed.
The energy in the room highlighted the value of collaboration and local insight. By combining past knowledge with forward-looking exercises, the workshop created a space for learning, connection, and action.
For those interested in a deeper dive, presentation materials from the workshop are available below, providing further details on the Community Asset Mapping results and the stress test approach.
Mobility Study Lunch-time Talk
This gathering marks another important step in strengthening resilience in Tofino—driven by the community, for the community.
Acknowledgements
This workshop was made possible through the dedication and collaboration of many individuals and partners. We extend our deepest thanks to Ms. Hilary O'Reilly, Emergency Program Coordinator at the District of Tofino, whose leadership was instrumental in orchestrating the event. From coordinating with local participants to arranging the venue and catering, her efforts ensured a welcoming and productive environment for all.
We also gratefully acknowledge Dr. Haorui Wu and Dr. Simon Parzniewski from Dalhousie University for their work in analyzing the Community Asset Mapping (CAM) data from last year’s workshop and presenting these insights back to the community. Their contribution helped translate data into meaningful knowledge that supports local decision-making.
Special thanks go to Dr. Mhari Gordon from University College London, who traveled a long distance to facilitate the stress test exercise. This exercise was designed to simulate realistic hazard scenarios and evaluate how community systems respond under pressure, with the goal of identifying strengths, uncovering gaps, and informing more effective preparedness and response strategies.
Finally, we sincerely thank Dr. Katsuichiro Goda from Western University, Principal Investigator of the CIRCLE Project and a leading expert in tsunami science. His vision and leadership have been central to shaping the direction of the project and advancing resilience efforts in Tofino.
We are also deeply grateful to all participants for their active engagement and the valuable insights they shared.
