“Collaboration among Vancouver Island local governments, Metro Vancouver, and member municipalities has grown steadily. The initiative provides a framework for consistent application of tools and understanding on both sides of the Georgia Basin. Everyone benefits from sharing information and experiences,” states Kim Stephens.
“I was the Ministry of Environment guy who was actually trying to enforce environmental regulations here on Vancouver Island. It became obvious to me that to go after land development violations, one guilty plea at a time, just was not going to make a difference. We needed another approach,” stated Peter Law.
“Asset management usually commences after something is built. The challenge is to think about what asset management entails BEFORE the asset is built. Cost-avoidance is a driver for this ‘new business as usual’. This paradigm-shift starts with land use and watershed-based planning, to determine what services can be provided affordably,” states Glen Brown.
“The Ministry looks forward to aligning efforts with the Partnership to further advance implementation of the “Beyond the Guidebook” initiative. Inter-regional collaboration is the pathway to a consistent approach to water sustainability and green infrastructure policies and practices up and down the east coast of Vancouver Island,” stated Cairine MacDonald.
“By aligning efforts, CAVI and VIEA can help build strong communities and ensure that careful stewardship of the Island’s natural resources is preserved,” stated George Hanson.
