Eric Bonham has been proactive on water related issues for 40 years. He is an advocate for bringing together local government and community advocates in a new form of governance that involves decision makers in government working with visionaries in the community to create desired outcomes. He calls this ‘mission possible’.
“The role of the Technical Advisors is to apply their expertise and perspective to the potential policy options for a modernized Water Act. This is about making BC's water laws simpler to understand, communicate, administer and enforce as communities respond to current and future challenges,” explained Lynn Kriwoken. “As we move into our next phase of policy development, we are seeking input from external technical experts. Individuals with First Nations and non-government organizations have been invited to participate in the process in an advisory capacity.”
“Outcome-oriented planning is a problem-solving PROCESS. It is not a procedure. It is not a matter of applying a regulation or a checklist. Going through a process becomes talent development. Participants have to be committed to the outcome. Focus on values and actions. Keep it simple,” explained Tim Pringle. “To get there, they have to function as a team. It is the talent development process that enables development of outcome-oriented plans. It is very definitely a grounded approach.”
BC local government is among the most autonomous in Canada, and BC is perhaps the least prescriptive province. Historically, the Province has enabled local government by providing policy and legal tools in response to requests from local government. The future desired by all will be created through alignment of federal, provincial, regional and local policies and actions. Major breakthroughs happen when decision makers in government work with grass-roots visionaries in the community to create desired outcomes. “Everyone needs to agree on expectations and how they will work together, and after that each community can reach its goals in its own way,” stated Eric Bonham.
“We will use this coming together of BC's local leaders to share and learn from each other's experiences, and gain ideas to move our own communities forward. Without action, we cannot move our communities forward. This year’s UBCM Convention will offer an opportunity to take our goals, and forge them into tangible outcomes and continue to build gold medal standard communities,” stated Harry Nyce. Beyond the Guidebook 2010 is about implementing a new culture for urban watershed protection and restoration. It speaks to the convention theme.
Located in the urbanized heartland of the Capital Regional District, the Bowker Creek watershed is shared by the City of Victoria, City of Oak Bay, and District of Saanich. “A desired outcome in holding the Bowker Creek Forum was to share information about successful approaches, so that they can be replicated in other jurisdictions. The forum was a chance for regional organizations, businesses and community members to learn more about and celebrate the accomplishments of the Bowker Creek Initiative,” stated Tanis Gower.
