Water-Centric Planning

LIVING WATER SMART IN BRITISH COLUMBIA: “Cities are all about choices – choices that become reality very quickly, with lasting consequences. Over the 21st century – the urban century – much will depend upon getting the choices right,” stated Mike Harcourt, former Premier of British Columbia

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 IN PART BELOW), and the Story Behind the Story.

The edition published on February 4, 2026 featured Rémi Dubé and his reflections on what was achieved when the Partnership hosted an intergenerational gathering of local government staff, past and current, in January 2026. This was a defining moment in Partnership history. The forum was the springboard for a 3-year transition strategy that addresses the question: Who will lead the Partnership after the Year 2028?

EDITOR’S PERSPECTIVE / Why there is a Partnership for Water Sustainability

“The Partnership is honoured that former Premier Mike Harcourt chose to show his support by attending the Ambassadors of the Partnership Forum. One can draw a straight line from his time as Premier in the 1990s to the Forum,” stated Kim Stephens, Partnership Executive Director and Waterbucket eNews Editor, in his overview remarks to ambassadors and friends of the Partnership. His overview was titled Why there is a Partnership for Water Sustainability.

“Mike Harcourt was the political champion for a TOP-DOWN AND BOTTOM-UP network approach to collaboration. A defining moment for local governments during his time as Premier was the launch of the transformational Georgia Basin Initiative in 1994.”

Gordon Campbell is the second Premier who is part of our Partnership history and story

“Gordon Campbell and Mike Harcourt were colleagues in local government and Gordon Campbell succeeded Mike Harcourt as mayor of Vancouver. “

“In the 2000s, Gordon Campbell had our back. He gave us the opportunity to show how on-the-ground partnerships could inform provincial policy. And we ran with it. The Water Sustainability Action Plan was the proof of the pudding.”

“The Action Plan was my responsibility to develop and deliver. It was the springboard to Living Water Smart, BC’s Water Plan. The Living Water Smart VISION transcends government and guides the work of the Partnership.”

In 2010, five grass-roots government partnerships morphed into the legal entity that is the Partnership

The fourth partnership was the Water Balance Model Partnership. We built an online tool and this established credibility.

The fifth partnership was the Waterbucket Website Partnership. This allows us to record our history as we create it.

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: When we are part of a network, everyone goes further.