50 YEARS ON THE BC COAST
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.
Blueprint for the Coast Continues Advocacy
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.
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”.
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.
BC Releases the Coastal Marine Strategy Policy 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.
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.
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.
BC Commits to Developing a Coastal Marine Strategy
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.
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.
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.
Photos, in order of appearance: The U.S. National Archives, Kevin Teague, Blueprint, Brodie Guy, Province of British Columbia, Dan Mullen