TIER ONE CHAMPION FOR AN ECOSYSTEM-BASED APPROACH IN BRITISH COLUMBIA: Barry Janyk, former 4-term mayor of Gibsons, was an early political champion whose efforts as an influencer elevated the profile of the green infrastructure movement in the urban regions of BC
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 the Story Behind the Story.
The edition published on October 28, 2025 featured the third installment of the Chronicle of Green Infrastructure Innovation in Metro Vancouver. Part C covers the period 1997 through 2005. It tells the story of what led up to publication of Stormwater Planning: A Guidebook for British Columbia in 2002, and the impact of what followed in the wake of publication.
Ninety-eight pages long, Part C is a sweeping narrative weaves quotable quote to bring to life an era. It is included as an attachment to of Living Water Smart in British Columbia: Leaps of faith and calculated risks – convening for action in Metro Vancouver.
Barry Janyk, former Mayor of Gibsons
“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,”
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
Barry Janyk emerged as a political champion for what he called smart development. He ran for mayor, was elected, and then brought other mayors into the fold to host forums in the Fraser Valley. In total, Barry Janyk was the moderator for three of four forums in the series.
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.
“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
“Barry Janyk emerged as a political champion for what he called smart development. He ran for mayor, was elected, and then brought other mayors into the fold to host forums in the Fraser Valley. In total, Barry Janyk was the moderator for three of four forums in the series.”
“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.”
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 storyline, download a PDF copy of Living Water Smart in British Columbia: Leaps of faith and calculated risks – convening for action in Metro Vancouver.
DOWNLOAD A COPY: https://waterbucket.ca/wcp/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2025/10/PWSBC_Living-Water-Smart_Leaps-of-Faith-and-Calculated-Risks-Part-C_2025.pdf