CHAMPION FOR AN ECOSYSTEM-BASED APPROACH: “Technical people have to demonstrate cost-effectiveness in order to transform political acceptability into political will to implement change and spend money,” stated Barry Janyk, former 4-term mayor of Gibsons (1st in a series)
Note to Reader:
Published by the Partnership for Water Sustainability in British Columbia, Waterbucket eNews celebrates the leadership of individuals and organizations who are guided by the Living Water Smart vision. Stories are structured in three parts: One-Minute Takeaway, Editor’s Perspective and Context for Busy Reader, and the Story Behind the Story (below).
The edition published on January 28, 2025 celebrated the contributions of the late Barry Janyk (1952-2024), former 4-term mayor of the Town of Gibsons. Barry Janyk is recognized by the Partnership as one of seven Tier One Champions for implementing an Ecosystem-based Approach in British Columbia.
STORY BEHIND THE STORY: Remembering Barry Janyk, political champion for Smart Development
“The context for the Partnership for Water Sustainability celebrating the life of Barry Janyk is the Smartstorm Forum Series. This transformational series fueled a movement and galvanized an ecosystem-based approach to rainwater management and green infrastructure,” states Kim Stephens, Partnership Executive Director.
“Barry Janyk, who was then mayor of Gibsons, infused the SmartStorm Forum Series with his passion. He was the political champion who carried the green infrastructure torch to the Metro Vancouver Regional Board and then to UBCM.”
Overcoming Institutional Barriers to Smart Development and Stormwater Management: From Planning to Implementation
“Co-hosted by the City of Nanaimo and the provincial and federal governments in January 1999, the wildly successful first event in the SmartStorm Forum Series might well have been a one-off, footnote in history. And then, Gibsons Councillor Barry Janyk stepped forward,” continues Kim Stephens.
“He called me out of the blue and said, “we would like to host a similar event on the Sunshine Coast.” Because we had to turn people away when attendance reached the 250-person capacity of the Coast Bastion, I asked Barry how could his community build on that kind of success and who would travel to the Sunshine Coast.”
“It was simply amazing. Barry Janyk mobilized his community. Our first interagency planning meeting was hosted by the Sechelt Nation. Barry brought everyone to the table. After that there was no looking back.”
A political champion for smart development
“He infused the series with his energy and enthusiasm. He coined the term Smart Development to clearly differentiate the BC approach from the Low Impact Development terminology used in the United States.”
“The legacy of Barry Janyk is that his efforts elevated our profile and credibility with local government elected representatives. He got us onto their radar screen and that enhanced our ability to influence them,” concludes Kim Stephens.
To Learn More:
Waterbucket eNews stories are structured in three parts: One-Minute Takeaway, Editor’s Perspective and Context for Busy Reader, and the Story Behind the Story. To read the complete 3-part story, download a copy of Living Water Smart in British Columbia: Remembering Barry Janyk, political champion for Smart Development.
