The Municipality of Jasper recognizes that a successful community is one in which unique contributions by residents of different backgrounds, abilities and orientations are welcomed, invited and actively sought.
In order to do this it's helpful to understand which residents are at risk of exclusion. Below you'll find details on several groups at risk of exclusion. If you would like to see another group added, please email us at inclusion@jasper-alberta.ca
Racialized People / Visible Minorities
Who they are:
"Racialized” or “visible minority” Refers to people of non-white racial backgrounds. These are people who may experience discrimination or exclusion because of race or ethnicity.
In Jasper:
Around 15.5% of Jasper’s population identified as a visible minority in 2021.
Why it matters:
Racialized people often face systemic and interpersonal discrimination — in employment, housing, public services, or social life.
What exclusion can look like:
- Feeling “othered” or not fully accepted in social or professional activities.
Structural barriers in employment or getting promoted.
Microaggressions in everyday interactions (e.g., stereotyping, assumptions).
Lack of culturally relevant services, supports, or representation.
How Jasper can be more welcoming:
Promote cultural competency training for municipal employees, business leaders and community organizations.
Celebrate diversity through cultural events, festivals and programming.
Ensure that newcomer and racialized communities have a voice at the table (Newcomer Network, Jasper Local Immigration Partnership).
Provide translation or interpretation supports when needed.
Ensure that municipal information is accessible - written in plain language, available in different languages with icons or photos to complement text.
Language tips:
Use “racialized people,” “people of colour,” or “visible minorities” (depending on what people prefer) instead of “minorities” alone.
Avoid terms that imply “foreignness” (e.g., “them vs. us”).
Emphasize belonging and shared community.
Indigenous Peoples
Who they are:
Indigenous peoples include First Nations, Métis, and Inuit — the original peoples of Canada and their descendants.
In Jasper:
About 4.09% of Jasper’s population identified as Indigenous in 2021. That's around 160 people.
Why it matters:
Indigenous communities have faced and continue to face the impacts of colonization, including systemic inequalities, cultural loss, and marginalization.
What exclusion can look like:
Not seeing Indigenous perspectives, histories, or voices reflected in municipal decisions, planning, or public spaces.
Lack of support for cultural practices, ceremonies, or community-building.
Potential misunderstandings or disrespect around important names, traditions, or land.
Barriers to economic opportunity, health resources, or housing due to systemic inequities.
How Jasper can be more welcoming:
Build respectful partnerships with local Indigenous residents and partner nations.
Include Indigenous culture and language in education, signage, public art, and community events.
Ensure municipal processes (planning, engagement) include Indigenous voices in meaningful ways.
Provide cultural safety training for municipal staff, public services, and schools.
Language tips:
Use “Indigenous peoples” rather than outdated or overly broad terms.
When possible, ask people how they self-identify (First Nations, Métis, Inuit).
Acknowledge the ongoing impacts of colonialism, and work from a place of reconciliation and respect.
Newcomers
Who they are:
Newcomers include immigrants, refugees (protected persons) or permanent residents who are born outside Canada.
Jasper also welcomes many new residents each year who were born within Canada. While they might be new to Jasper, they are not newcomers to Canada.
In Jasper:
Although the resident population is about 5,000, the town hosts up to 4,500 seasonal staff per year — meaning many “newcomers” are part of the everyday rhythm.
Also, according to the 2021 census data, 17.7% of residents in Jasper are immigrants, and 5.1% are non-permanent residents (e.g., temporary workers).
Why it matters:
Newcomers bring tremendous value — diversity of culture, skills, and perspective — but they also face barriers in settling, belonging, and accessing services.
What exclusion can look like:
Social isolation, especially if they don’t know many people or lack local networks.
Language barriers (even if they speak English, local terms or systems might be unfamiliar).
Difficulty accessing housing, especially in a small town with tight accommodation supply.
Challenges navigating local systems (health care, municipal services, employment).
How Jasper can be more welcoming:
Provide a welcome program or orientation for new arrivals: Community Guide, Welcome Event, Employer Toolkit to Supporting Newcomer Staff
Encourage employers to support newcomer integration (housing support, buddy systems, cultural training).
Build partnerships with community partners to offer services, language supports, and connection: Jasper Local Immigration Partnership.
Highlight newcomers’ contributions and encourage community-building events that make space for their voices.
Language tips:
Use “newcomer” (rather than “immigrant” or “temporary worker”) when speaking more broadly about people who are new to Canada, living in Jasper.
2SLGBTQ+ People
Who they are:
2SLGBTQ+ stands for Two-Spirit, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer (or Questioning) and other sexual and gender identities (“+” includes evolving identities).
Why it matters:
People in the 2SLGBTQ+ community often face discrimination, exclusion, or misunderstanding — sometimes subtle, sometimes overt — especially in smaller or more conservative places.
What exclusion can look like:
Fear of discrimination or “being outed” by service providers, coworkers, or neighbours.
Lack of safe, visible spaces or community supports (e.g., affirming social groups, events).
In care settings (especially for older adults), some hide their identity to avoid stigma or harassment.
Policies or forms that assume cisgender or heterosexual identities (e.g., __ Male or __ Female under gender in application forms).
How Jasper can be more welcoming:
Use inclusive language in forms, municipal communications (ask for pronouns, give options beyond “male/female”).
Offer or sponsor training for staff and public-facing services about 2SLGBTQ+ inclusion and safety.
Display visible signs of support (e.g., pride stickers, flags, crosswalks, universal changerooms at the Fitness & Aquatic Centre, Rainbow Registry).
Work with 2SLGBTQ+ individuals in the community to co-create safe, affirming spaces and events.
Know the difference between gender and sexuality: gender is about who you are while sexuality is about who you're attracted to.
Language tips:
Use the full acronym (2SLGBTQ+) and let people self-identify. The 2S is first in the acronym because Two-Spirit refers to gender-diverse Indigenous Peoples.
Respect people’s names and pronouns. If they prefer to use they/them, use "they/them" instead of "he/she" or "him/her"
Avoid making assumptions about family structures, gender, or relationships.
People of Diverse Spiritual or Religious Backgrounds
Who they are:
This group includes people who follow minority religions or spiritual traditions (e.g., Muslim, Sikh, Hindu, Buddhist, Jewish, Indigenous spiritual practices, Baha’i, Pagan, or smaller Christian denominations). In a small community like Jasper, these groups may be present in low numbers but contribute significantly to the cultural and social fabric of the community.
In Jasper:
Statistics Canada does not publish reliable religion-level data for small communities like Jasper. However, nationally, about 11% of Canadians identify with a non-Christian religion. Jasper’s visible minority and newcomer populations suggest a small but meaningful presence of multi-faith residents.
Why it matters:
People who practice minority religions can experience barriers related to cultural misunderstanding, lack of appropriate spaces, or feeling invisible. Misconceptions about unfamiliar spiritual traditions can lead to exclusion, especially in small towns with limited diversity in worship spaces.
What exclusion can look like:
Assumptions or stereotypes about Muslim people or other minority faiths.
Limited access to prayer spaces or opportunities to practice religious customs (e.g., daily prayers, fasting breaks, dietary needs, holiday observances).
Scheduling conflicts when major programs or public events fall on important holy days.
Social isolation if people feel their beliefs are misunderstood or not respected.
Safety concerns due to discrimination directed at any visible religious symbols (e.g., hijab, turban, kippah).
How Jasper can be more welcoming:
Acknowledge and celebrate diverse religious observances in community communications when appropriate (e.g., Eid, Diwali, Yom Kippur, Vesak, Lunar New Year).
Ensure municipal events and engagement opportunities avoid major cultural or religious holidays when possible.
Provide quiet, neutral spaces in public buildings that can be used for prayer, reflection, or ceremony.
Encourage businesses and community groups to support inclusive dietary needs (e.g., halal, vegetarian, no-alcohol options).
Offer cultural awareness training for municipal staff, service providers, and employers on religious diversity and respectful accommodation.
Work with faith-based communities and cultural groups to build relationships and identify needs (housing, social programs, youth supports, community-building activities).
Language tips:
Use respectful titles and terms (e.g., “Muslim community members,” “people who practice Islam,” “people of diverse spiritual traditions”).
Avoid assumptions about beliefs, practices, or appearance — for example, not all Muslim women wear hijab, and not all people wearing turbans are Sikh.
When unsure, ask people how they prefer their faith or spiritual practice to be described.
Seniors (Older Adults)
Who they are:
People in Jasper who are in the older age groups (e.g., 65+). As the population ages, their inclusion becomes increasingly important.
In Jasper:
According to demographic data, about 13.4% of Jasper’s population is aged 65 or older.
Why it matters:
Aging brings changes: physical mobility, health needs, and sometimes social isolation. Seniors may feel left behind if community planning doesn’t account for them.
What exclusion can look like:
Lack of age-friendly infrastructure: limited benches, poor lighting, inaccessible sidewalks.
Services that don’t meet their needs (transportation, health care, social programs).
Social isolation if they are retired, have limited mobility, or lack intergenerational connection.
For 2SLGBTQ+ seniors, fear of discrimination in care settings or having to hide their identity.
How Jasper can be more welcoming:
Make public spaces age-friendly: accessible public seating, safe walkways, community gathering spots.
Create or partner on programs specifically for seniors: Community Outreach Services offers support services and offers social programs and volunteer opportunities.
Ensure service providers in Jasper are trained in inclusive care (including 2SLGBTQ+ older adult needs).
Involve seniors in planning: ask them what they need and what they want in a welcoming community.
Language tips:
Use “seniors” or “older adults” rather than “the elderly.”
Use "accessible parking" rather than "handicapped parking."
Focus on their strengths and contributions (wisdom, experience, mentorship).
Be respectful in discussions about aging: avoid stereotypes about frailty or decline.
People with Diverse Abilities
Who they are:
This includes people with physical, mental, or cognitive disabilities — permanent or long-term health conditions that make some activities or access more challenging.
In Jasper:
While there is no exact recent count for Jasper, in Alberta around 12.5% of adults report having a disability.
Why it matters:
People with diverse abilities often face barriers to participating fully in community life. This could be lack of wheelchair access in buildings, limited accessible transportation, or not having supports in workplaces. Rural or small-town settings like Jasper can magnify these challenges: 59% of Albertans with disabilities report barriers in public places.
What exclusion can look like:
Not being able to enter public buildings or community facilities because of stairs, narrow doorways, or lack of ramps.
Feeling isolated because programs, events, or jobs aren’t adapted for different abilities.
Financial insecurity: many rely on support programs such as the Alberta AISH (Assured Income for the Severely Handicapped).
Uncertainty or stress about benefit changes: recent policy shifts (e.g., transition to a new disability assistance program) are causing concern.
How Jasper can be more welcoming:
Make public spaces and municipal buildings fully accessible: ramps, automatic doors, clear signage, accessible washrooms.
Promote awareness and training: staff and community groups can learn about invisible disabilities (mental health, learning disabilities, etc.).
Support existing benefit programs and advocate for stable income supports.
Provide information about provincial resources like AISH in accessible ways (Jasper does this through Community Outreach Services).
Language tips:
Use “people with disabilities” or “people with diverse abilities” rather than “the disabled” or "handicapped."
Ask what support people need, don’t assume.
Emphasize a person's contributions vs. their limitations to foster dignity and inclusion.