Unforgettable community discussions and respectful, inclusive debates
The Salt Spring Forum brings diverse perspectives on important issues to a community known for its civic engagement and openness to new ideas.
The Forum has hosted some of the world's leading authors, artists, scientists, political leaders and activists. Our annual speaker series and members-only salons present thought-provoking discussions on some of the greatest issues of our times.
Forum events take place in a truly participatory discussion format that ensures respectful dialogue, a wide-range of perspectives and ideas, and mutual learning.
We invite you to learn more about the Salt Spring Forum. The best way to become involved is to attend one of our many events. We also encourage you to become a member and support our work with a tax-deductible donation.
Coming Soon!
George Black
Agent Orange: Can the Atrocities of War be Redeemed?
Bullock Lake Farm. 7.30pm Friday May 24th.
Tickets available HERE
The Vietnam War ended 50 years ago. The picture you see above is of an American helicopter spraying Agent Orange on Vietnamese agricultural land during the later stages of that tragic conflict. In the 1990s a small group of extraordinary Canadian scientists played an important role in bringing to light the overwhelming environmental and human health harms of the wartime use of Agent Orange. There is a strong Salt Spring connection to this story. The Forum has the opportunity to host a reunion of these scientists at a speaker event at Bullock Lake Farm on May 24th.
Chris Hatfield, who sadly died in 2022, lived on Salt Spring after having headed a small Vancouver company that studied the effects of dioxin defoliants in Vietnam. (You may know of him best for his donation of the Chris Hatfield Trail to Ruckle Park). Two of his key scientist colleagues from those days also now live on Salt Spring. Yet two more live farther away but will also join us at the event.
The reason for their gathering is that our guest speaker, George Black, a renowned British/American writer, has just published The Long Reckoning, a book that finally tells their story. The significance of the work of these scientists is that it contributed to the difficult but essential reconciliation that exists today between the American and Vietnamese states.
The evening promises to be nothing if not historic.
see who’s coming
See who we have coming up next at the Salt Spring Forum, both live and online guests.
recent speakers
The Forum has hosted some of the world's leading intellectuals, activists, political leaders, and thinkers.
““I am proud of what Forum does. And feel enlightened, broadened, glad to hear the unvarnished experiences of the speakers...” ”