Whistler Multicultural Society was incorporated in January 2020 out of a grassroots community group created in April 2012 as part of the Welcome Sea to Sky project, funded by the SMART Fund, Vancouver Coastal Health. This group of local immigrants came together to support immigrants and newcomers to get established, building intercultural understanding and learning by providing opportunities for cultural sharing, dialogue, and learning, and on growing a voice for local immigrants and newcomers. 

Our programs build cross-cultural interaction and connections, develop awareness and understanding of our local diversity, and seek to grow equity and inclusion.  We aim to build the voice and profile of newcomers and immigrants in our local community, and to develop community inclusion initiatives. 

Specifically, Whistler Multicultural Society (WMS) aims to 

• create opportunities for participation for immigrants and newcomers in our local communities

• advocate for immigrants and newcomers in local social, work, and civic societies

• build greater understanding and recognition of the skills and values immigrants bring to Whistler, and across the Sea to Sky corridor, and to

• promote equity and diversity through cultural sharing, training, and education. 

While the Welcome Sea to Sky project remains at our organization's core, WMS is now also funded to deliver federally-funded migrant worker services, and develops anti-racism initiatives and dialogue through Resilience Whistler.  Our Intercultural Cultural Building program, delivered with federal, provincial and local government support, includes the Whistler Multicultural Festival, Multicultural Community Kitchens, multicultural camps, and cultural sharing events and activities hosted by local cultural ambassadors.

For more information on the Whistler Multicultural Society, check out our annual reports...

For more information on supporting immigrants and newcomers by volunteering on the Whistler Multicultural Society board, see this WMS board member information sheet or email: info@wmsociety.ca