Regional District of Nanaimo reaffirms its support for "Convening for Action on Vancouver Island"
Use the term “sustainability” as a lens for considering approaches that influence choices that create a legacy
When the Board of the Regional District of Nanaimo met in April 2009, it reaffirmed its continued support for the CAVI-Convening for Action on Vancouver Island program: and for RDN staff participation in CAVI and attendance at CAVI learning activities associated with promoting water sustainability
At the April meeting, John Finnie (General Manager, RDN Water & Wastewater Services) provided the Board with a summary of what had been accomplished through the 2008 Vancouver Island Learning Lunch Seminar Series, a provincial pilot program.
“Through the Urban Containment Boundary, we have avoided urban sprawl and we are doing our best to do what is right; and that is why the RDN Board is both supporting and partnering with CAVI. As a Board, we believe it is our job to protect the quality of life values that attract people to Vancouver Island,” stated Board Chair Joe Stanhope in September 2007.
Background
In August 2007, the RDN Board received a staff report on Convening for Action on Vancouver Island (CAVI) and passed a motion to support the CAVI initiative and staff participation in CAVI activities.
Currently chaired by the RDN General Manager of Water & Wastewater Services, the CAVI Leadership Team consists of representatives from the Province, local governments on Vancouver Island, BC Water & Waste Association, Real Estate Foundation of BC, the development and academic communities and the consulting sector.
CAVI initiatives support water sustainability and complement the RDN’s strategic goals, particularly those related to collaboration, working relationships, sustainabilityi and some of the goals and objectives of the RDN Drinking Water Watershed Protection program.
The 2008 Learning Lunch Seminar Series pilot program was precedent-setting. The forum brought together local government planners, engineers, building inspectors and bylaw officers, and consulting and developer sector representatives, to focus on common strategies for rainwater management and green infrastructure.
In Fall 2009, the Comox Valley Regional District wiill be hosting a Learning Lunch Seminar Series that will include RDN participation. The series theme will be Getting Ahead of the Wave and will focus on how to achieve integration. In addition, a series is being considered for the Regional District of Nanaimo area in Spring 2010.
The New Business As Usual
“We are using the slogan The New Business As Usual to convey the message that, for change to really occur, practices that until now have been viewed as the exception must 
become the norm moving forward. We have to build regulatory models and develop models of practice and expertise to support The New Business As Usual”, stated Dale Wall, Deputy Minister (Community Development) when he announced the Learning Lunch Seminar Series at the Gaining Ground Summit in May 2008.
Vancouver Island Pilot Program
Click on the image below to download a copy of the Story of the 2008 Vancouver Island Learning Lunch Seminar Series.
Posted May 2009