Convening for Action in British Columbia

The Partnership for Water Sustainability originated as a network in the 2000s as an outcome of the provincial “convening for action” initiative. This multi-year program demonstrated the power of peer-based learning, collaboration and partnerships in combination with a regional team approach that spans jurisdictional boundaries. “When you bring the appropriate people together in constructive ways with good information, you look to them to create authentic visions and strategies for addressing the shared concerns of their organizations and community,” stated Derek Richmond.

In his 1969 book, Design With Nature, Ian McHarg pioneered the concept of environmental planning: “So, I commend Design with Nature to your sympathetic consideration. The title contains a gradient of meaning. It can be interpreted as simply descriptive of a planning method, deferential to places and peoples, it can invoke the Grand Design, it can emphasize the conjunction with and, finally it can be read as an imperative. DESIGN WITH NATURE!.” His philosophy was rooted in an ecological sensibility that accepted the interwoven worlds of the human and the natural.

“Maybe saying you do not have all the answers and asking for help, or saying that you have made mistakes, is a greater sign of strength than suggesting you are infallible. You build the relationships and the relationships then give you the strength and confidence to open up about the challenges. We got to where we needed to go (in holding the forum). We are not celebrating our mistakes. But we are celebrating the successes that come out of understanding that, sharing where you feel there are shortcomings, is a sign of strength as a local government leader,” stated Mike Matejka.

How would the Metro Vancouver region absorb another one million people and remain livable? That was the defining question in the 2000s. The Chronicle of Green Infrastructure Innovation brings to life an exciting period in local government “convening for action” history. There was critical mass to implement changes in development practices. “We must all be leaders who selflessly have a vision, and we must then act to make the vision a reality. The Board approved realigning the goals, strategies and actions in the updated Liquid Waste Management Plan with policies and positions in Living Water Smart,” stated Lois Jackson.

“Collaboration is essential. We also have to bring people together. If we find a common purpose that we are pursuing together, there really is nothing that we cannot accomplish,” stated former BC Premier Campbell in 2010. “Look long term. Think about what is best for the future. Not for you, but for those who will follow you. Think about how we can create a better environment that others can live in and benefit from. We get to make our own choices. We get to make our own future. We just have to have the vision to imagine, and the tenacity to pursue it.”

“Decision makers need to have a picture of what regional government and regional planning have been able to achieve. We should expect that changes would be made with an understanding of what the current system would be capable of achieving. Since the creation of the Livable Region Strategic Plan, the focus and content of regional planning have evolved in response to change. This is a beneficial process that has brought new ideas and new participants. It has strengthened the impact and permanence of the regional planning process,” stated Ken Cameron.

“Ken Cameron is giving back. He is putting the story behind the story of regional planning on the record. He is passing on knowledge through op-eds, conference presentations, and university lectures. He explains that in 1996 Municipal Affairs Minister Darlene Marzari deemed that the Livable Region Strategic Plan for Metro Vancouver had been prepared and adopted under the provisions of the Province’s growth strategies legislation. Unlike Ontario and other provinces, he adds, BC does not have an approval role with respect to local government plans,” stated Kim Stephens.

“In the three decades since the creation of the Livable Region Strategic Plan, the focus and content of regional planning have evolved in response to change. This is a beneficial process that has brought new ideas and new participants. It has strengthened the impact and permanence of the regional planning process. Five principles have been key to this success, but they too can be expected to evolve over time. To be done well, development decisions have to reflect infrastructure planning, neighbourhood and community participation and support,” stated Ken Cameron.

The 2026 Ambassadors of the Partnership Forum was an inter-regional gathering, with representation from five regions in southern British Columbia. “It brought together alumni and current local government staff. From our discussions at the Forum and the written responses we received for the questionnaire survey, it is evident that there continues to be a desire for in-depth peer collaboration and mentorship. Round table discussions clearly demonstrated a desire for collaboration in finding solutions to today’s challenges. You could feel the energy in the room,” stated Rémi Dubé.

When Mike Harcourt was Premier, a defining moment was the launch of the transformational Georgia Basin Initiative in 1994. At a recent forum hosted by the Partnership for Water Sustainability, Mike Harcourt said: “In my experience, ideas and initiatives ebb and flow. You just have to take the long view and remain committed to passing on the knowledge that comes from experience. I would like to put a call to action on the record to do with land use planning and ecological and economic sustainability. We need to integrate all the disparate changes now taking place.”

“The Partnership for Water Sustainability is hosting a forum in January 2026 that will provide a safe space for current frontline staff to tap into insights from alumni who are retired from leadership positions. The forum theme is that we can support each other to make everyone’s work easier by creating a knowledge network. It matters how we share information to ensure concepts are conveyed to, and understood by, the people who need to know. Solutions to the issues of our time lie in WHAT stories we tell and HOW we tell those stories,” stated Remi Dube.

“Change in standard practices does not happen overnight. It takes time. Therefore, it is important to manage expectations when embarking on this journey towards water sustainability. Getting there is Mission Possible and is a top-down and bottom-up strategy. First comes the vision. Then community involvement. Support from municipal decision makers follows next. Finally, communities must apply ‘Design with Nature’ as a consistent future approach to development. Everyone needs to agree on expectations and how all the players will work together,” stated Eric Bonham.