50 YEARS ON THE BC COAST

Georgia Straight As viewed from the summit of Hat Mountain at 1644 meters.

The Government of BC is expected to release its first Coastal Marine Strategy in Spring of 2024. It’s been a long journey up to this point, but we know that our advocacy doesn’t end with implementation. There will be much work to be continued across the strategy’s 20 year long implementation period and beyond. 

Scroll through the timeline to see where we’ve been and where we’re going.

February, 2024

Blueprint for the Coast Continues Advocacy

Blueprint for the Coast logo
As we await the creation of BC’s first Coastal Marine Strategy, BC remains one of the last coastal jurisdictions in North America without a united plan and law to protect and manage its coast. Our goal is to ensure the Government of BC implements an effective Coastal Marine Strategy and law that upholds Indigenous rights, supports biodiversity, and uplifts communities. It is imperative that the strategy is meaningfully co-developed and upon implementation, co-managed with First Nations.
October 19, 2023

Ministry of Water, Land and Resource Stewardship Becomes the New Home for Coastal Marine Issues in BC

Ministry of Water, Land and Resource Stewardship Becomes the New Home for Coastal Marine Issues in BC

The Government of BC officially transferred the authority to administer a number of environmental and marine statues to the Ministry of Water, Land and Resource Stewardship (WLRS). This transfer includes the authority to manage tenures under the Land Act, as well as licensing the growth and harvesting of wild aquatic plants under the Fish and Seafood Act. Now that these legal powers have been consolidated within WLRS, we can confidently call it the new home for coastal marine issues in BC, not only in name, but function.

 

 

August, 2023

What We Heard Report is Released

What We Heard Report is Released

The Government of BC released a What We Heard Report to summarize nearly 1,000 public feedback submissions on the Coastal Marine Strategy Policy Intentions Paper. The issues of most concern for respondents were restoration of wild salmon populations, addressing marine pollution, and incorporating legislation in the strategy. Moreover, 88% of survey respondents felt the province was on the right track with Coastal Marine Strategy development. For more information, read “Our Key Takeaways on Public Feedback”.

 

 

April, 2023

Public Engagement on the Policy Intentions Paper

Public Engagement on the Policy Intentions Paper

A public engagement period for feedback on the Coastal Marine Strategy Policy Intentions Paper extended from December 15, 2022 – April 14, 2023. We gathered together a coalition of 19 environmental non-governmental organizations (ENGOs) to offer unified feedback on the Policy Intentions Paper, we submitted this joint letter on behalf of the environmental nonprofit sector. Additionally, CPAWS-BC and West Coast Environmental Law submitted our own individual feedback submissions.

December, 2022

BC Releases the Coastal Marine Strategy Policy Intentions Paper

Cover of BC Government Coastal Marine Strategy Intentions Paper

The ministry releases a Policy Intentions Paper for the BC Coastal Marine Strategy that was co-written with representatives from coastal First Nations. The Policy Intentions Paper lays out 6 outcomes they want to see achieved for coastal marine areas across British Columbia, as well as 30 policy intentions to get us there.

February, 2022

BC Announces Creation of the New Ministry of Land, Water and Resource Stewardship

BC Announces Creation of the New Ministry of Land, Water and Resource Stewardship

Premier John Horgan announces the creation of the Ministry of Land, Water and Resource Stewardship that will co-manage lands and waters with First Nations and ensure the effects of economic activity are aligned with environmental objectives. The Ministry consolidates provincial ocean management programs and is responsible for the development of the Coastal Marine Strategy. In December 2022, the name of the ministry is changed to the Ministry of Water, Land and Resource Stewardship with Nathan Cullen appointed as Minister.

2022

BC Engages with First Nations

BC Engages with First Nations

The Ministry will engage coastal First Nations’ leadership on a process for developing a Coastal Marine Strategy and key priorities. Then in collaboration, they will draft an intentions paper. Following this step, we expect further engagement over this government’s mandate to develop a made-in-BC Coastal Marine Strategy.

Summer, 2021

BC’s Coast Endures Unprecedented Stress

Dead salmon lying on shore

Intensifying climate change impacts, record low salmon runs, and increasing demands over resources continue to negatively impact coastal communities and ecosystems, making the need for a Coastal Marine Strategy more urgent than ever.

November, 2020

BC Commits to Developing a Coastal Marine Strategy

Barren island with forested mountains in background

For the first time, the Government of BC commits to developing a Coastal Marine Strategy in partnership with First Nations and other orders of government, as a means to preserve coastal marine ecosystems and in turn, growing coastal economies. Minister of State for Lands and Natural Resource Operations, Nathan Cullen, is tasked with leading the development of this strategy.

November, 2019

BC Enshrines UNDRIP Into Law

A full BC legislature stands and applauds

British Columbia enacts legislation requiring the province to bring its law and practices into harmony with the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) – this includes its marine management regime.

2015

A Marine Planning Partnership (MaPP) for the North Pacific Coast

A Marine Planning Partnership (MaPP) for the North Pacific Coast

A big win for sustainable ecosystem-based ocean management occurs when a co-initiative between Indigenous nations and the Provincial government completes its marine plans for the Great Bear Sea. The initiative, called the Marine Plan Partnership (MaPP) for the North Pacific Coast, would go on to win the inaugural BC Reconciliation Award in 2021.

1997

Oceans Act Mandates National Oceans Strategy

East coast harbour

The federal Oceans Act comes into force and the Minister of Fisheries, Oceans & the Canadian Coast Guard is put in charge of developing a national oceans strategy in collaboration with provincial governments, Indigenous organizations and coastal communities.

1974

Private Member’s Bill Proposed

Private Member’s Bill Proposed

Here in BC, MLA Harold Steves introduces a private member’s bill to establish a Coastal Commission Act to better manage coastal areas. Unfortunately, the bill was not passed by the legislature.

1970s

The First Modern Coastal Marine Strategies are Adopted

Lightship Columbia at the Mouth of the Columbia River 05/1973

With coastal development accelerating, and pressure from a burgeoning environmental movement, states along the Pacific US coast adopt some of the first modern Coastal Marine Strategies. These plans bring together the federal government, Indigenous tribes, and local governments.