Water-Centric Planning

LIVING WATER SMART IN BRITISH COLUMBIA: “Provincial staff merit accolades for their diligence and commitment in developing an Act that moves the province in the right direction. The Act provides a new opportunity and framework to collaborate and implement watershed-based solutions,” stated Ted van der Gulik, President of the Partnership for Water Sustainability

November 13, 2025 - Posted in Living Water Smart in BC, Living Water Smart: The Series, published in 2025

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 (REPRODUCED BELOW), and the Story Behind the Story.

The edition published on November 12, 2025 featured Valerie Cameron and Mike Wei in a 2-part story. They were members of the compact team that drafted the legislation for British Columbia’s Water Sustainability Act, 2014. In their stories behind the story, they reveal what it was like to be in the room when the future direction of water management in British Columbia was on the table. It was their generational opportunity. They helped to create the foundation for future generations to build upon.

EDITOR’S PERSPECTIVE / CONTEXT FOR BUSY READER

“When the BC Legislature passed the Water Sustainability Act in April 2014, there was no fanfare, not even an announcement or media splash. When Ted van der Gulik and I asked why not, we were informed that the personal priority of one premier is just a box to be ticked by his successor,” stated Kim Stephens, Waterbucket eNews Editor and Partnership Executive Director.

Water Sustainability Act – a decade in the making; an historic achievement

“Perplexed, we asked those who had developed the WSA legislation what message would they like us to convey to our audience. And so it was that Ted made this announcement in his role as Partnership President.”

“Developing and crafting the WSA was a difficult and challenging job, as there are many views on water,” continued Ted van der Gulik; “Provincial staff consulted far and wide to ensure a diversity of input. The end result is legislation that had broad-based support.”

“There are many water management issues that need to be resolved and the WSA established a process that can address many of them.”

“A decade later, some people have qualms and issues with the WSA. Quite often they are minor things. It is easy to throw darts when you don’t know what you don’t know. That is what I see happening,” Ted van der Gulik commented recently.

Water Sustainability Act – a generational opportunity to create a lasting legacy

“A compact, experienced team developed the WSA: right people, right place, right moment. Lynn Kriwoken was the leader, the Living Water Smart visionary and WSA legislative champion. With her unwavering vision and courage, she pushed the process over the finish line,” explained Kim Stephens.

“Lynn Kriwoken exerted extraordinary influence and leadership with successive governments. She brought water management in British Columbia from a jurisdictional backwater to the most progressive in Canada,” added Mike Wei.

When the Partnership released Beyond the Guidebook 2015: Moving Towards Sustainable Watershed Systems through Asset Management, we framed the WSA as one of three provincial game-changers that enable action.

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: British Columbia’s Water Sustainability Act, unique and innovative.