Green Communities Initiative: British Columbia leverages provincial funding to influence local government actions
Environmental Science & Engineering Magazine publishes article about BC’s Water Sustainability Action Plan
The January 2010 issue of Environmental Science & Engineering Magazine includes an article about the policy framework put in place by the Province of British Columbia that enables local governments to commit to doing business differently.
The article states that the program goals for Living Water Smart, BC’s Water Plan and the companion Green Communities Initiative constitute a ‘call to action’ on the part of British Columbians to manage settlement change in balance with ecology.
The article describes how implementation of Living Water Smart and the Green Communities Initiative is being advanced through partnerships, in particular the Water Sustainability Action Plan for British Columbia
Provincial Funding
“A mandate of the BC Ministry of Community & Rural Development is to foster partnerships, collaboration, innovation and integration through the program elements that comprise the Green Communities Initiative. The goal is to build capacity that will 
result in sustainable, healthy and vibrant communities,” states Glen Brown, Executive Director of the Local Government Infrastructure & Finance Division of the Ministry. He is also Chair of the BC Water Sustainability Committee.
“The reality of an increasing local government infrastructure deficit means that there will be even stiffer competition for available funding. As a result, there is a greater incentive for local governments to demonstrate how their innovation and integration will be effective in meeting the goals of both the Green Communities Initiative and Living Water Smart.”
To Learn More:
The article was written by Kim Stephens, Program Coordinator for the Water Sustainability Action Plan. The article also draws on the perspectives of:
- Lynn Kriwoken– Director, Ministry of Environment
- Tim Pringle– Special Programs Director, Real Estate Foundation of BC
- Eric Bonham – Convening for Action on Vancouver Island
To download a copy of the article, click on Pathway to Urban Water Sustainability in British Columbia.
