‘Creating Our Future’ Workshop Attracts Vancouver Island Local Governments
Registration shows broad geographic distribution
Vancouver Island local governments were well represented at the Creating Our Future Workshop that was held on June 3rd in conjunction with the Gaining Ground Summit in Victoria. The workshop was hosted by the Real Estate Foundation of British Columbia under the umbrella of Leadership in Water Sustainability: Convening for Action on Vancouver Island (CAVI). The workshop was a consultation opportunity for local governments that are interested in implementing infrastructure practices and regulation that result in green value.
According to John Finnie, Chair of the CAVI Leadership Team, “To date, representatives of four regional districts and fifteen municipalities have registered. 
We also have a good mix of elected officials, chief administrative officers, and senior managers. Because people are giving up their Sunday to attend, we believe this reflects the credibility that CAVI is establishing with local governments on Vancouver Island. Participants are travelling from as far away as Tofino and Courtenay.”
The workshop was also about celebrating and building on success. The CAVI message is one of hope. “For a generation, we have talked about cumulative impacts. But the flip side of a problem is an opportunity”, observes Tim Pringle, Executive Director of the Real Estate Foundation,
“Good things are happening on Vancouver Island. It is essential that we celebrate current successes so that local governments will raise the bar to do even better. Cumulative benefits are achievable through changes in policies, programs, 
practices and standards that determine how land is developed and water is used”, concludes Kim Stephens, Program Coordinator, Water Sustainability Action Plan for British Columbia and moderator for the Creating Our Future Workshop.
To Learn More:
For more on the case studies that were highlighted at the workshop and to learn about who presented, click on ‘Creating Our Future Workshop’.
CAVI Partnership
The CAVI Partnership includes the British Columbia Water & Waste Association, the Real Estate Foundation of British Columbia, the provincial Ministries of Environment and Community Services, and the Green Infrastructure Partnership.
Previously, the CAVI Leadership Team made a presentation at the 2007 Annual Conference of the Association of Vancouver Island Coastal Communities which was held in Qualicum Beach. For more on that story, click here.
