Tuesday, August 9, 2011

Green Communities Initiative: British Columbia leverages provincial funding to influence local government actions

 
Doing Business Differently
The January 2010 issue of Environmental Science & Engineering Magazine included an article about the policy framework put in place by the Province of British Columbia that enables local governments to commit to doing business differently.

Written by Kim Stephens, the article also drew on the perspectives of Lynn Kriwoken (BC Ministry of Environment), Glen Brown (BC Ministry of Community, Sport and Cultural Development) and Tim Pringle (Real Estate Foundation of British Columbia).

The article states that the program goals for Living Water Smart, BC’s Water Plan and the companion Green Communities Initiative constitute a ‘call to action’ on the part of British Columbians to manage settlement change in balance with ecology.

The article describes how implementation of Living Water Smart and the Green Communities Initiative is being advanced through partnerships, in particular the Water Sustainability Action Plan for British Columbia.  

“A mandate of the Ministry is to foster partnerships, collaboration, innovation and integration through the program elements that comprise the Green Communities Initiative. The goal is to build capacity that will result in sustainable, healthy and vibrant communities,” states Glen Brown, Executive Director of the Local Government Infrastructure & Finance Division. 

“The reality of an increasing local government infrastructure deficit means that there will be even stiffer competition for available funding. As a result, there is a greater incentive for local governments to demonstrate how their innovation and integration will be effective in meeting the goals of both the Green Communities Initiative and Living Water Smart.” 

To download a copy of the article, click on Pathway to Urban Water Sustainability in British Columbia.


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