THE COALITION

WHO WE ARE

The BC Watershed Security Coalition represents British Columbians from all walks of life and every corner of our province. We are foresters and conservationists, nurses and truck drivers, Mayors, brewers, farmers and Chiefs.

 

We know our watersheds are at the core of who we are as British Columbians, and that healthy watersheds are the source of our health, security and prosperity. From forestry to tourism, fisheries to agriculture, and drinking water to hydroelectricity, BC’s watersheds are the foundation of our economy and natural wealth.

 

Our vision is more prosperous communities, healthier people, cleaner water, restored salmon runs, and authentic and enduring partnerships between First Nations and non-Indigenous British Columbians.

WATERSHED SECURITY STRENGTHENS

BRITISH COLUMBIA

Prosperity Across the Province
  • Creates broad economic benefits to support BC’s overall COVID recovery.
  • Strengthens local economic  development by creating jobs in traditional resource communities that leverage existing skills.
  • Provides economic support and training for local employers in the watershed economy (e.g., infrastructure, agriculture, fishing, and forestry) to improve the efficiency and sustainability of their water and land use.
  • Facilitates private sector innovation in clean technology and water efficiency.
A Stronger BC
  • Protects public health and safety, advances CleanBC and delivers climate adaptation that makes communities more resilient to floods, fires and droughts and increases water security.
  • Improves BC’s agriculture practices and food security by supporting B.C. farmers with strengthened drought response and funding for ecosystem goods and services.
  • Builds robust local watershed management regimes and strengthened governance capacity for the future
Reconciliation in Action
  • Advances reconciliation and Indigenous economic development by catalyzing Indigenous employment opportunities and facilitating inclusive G2G watershed planning processes and partnerships with local non-Indigenous communities.
Flourishing Salmon Runs
  • Helps rebuild wild salmon and wildlife populations by putting people to work restoring the health and vitality of BC’s rivers, valleys and wetlands

           

QUICK FACTS

  • Jobs where they’re needed: Strengthened economic development for First Nations, local governments and traditional resource communities. Would create more than 800 direct jobs across the province, including rural, Northern and Indigenous communities. This does not include the many spin-off employment, economic and community benefits that would be generated.

 

  • Ready to go: ~90 projects (to date) totaling approximately $90 million in funding opportunity. Projects can be implemented in the short-term–37% of the projects can start immediately, with another 50% underway within 1-6 months. Projects range in completion time from 6 months to 2 years. 93% of projects can accommodate physical distancing if needed to get started and be completed.

 

  • Leverages existing organizations, funding mechanisms and skills: Projects led by, or in partnership with, First Nations, municipalities, Regional Districts, fish and wildlife, recreation and conservation organizations across B.C. 

 

  • Investment in source water protection is cost effective and fiscally prudent: investments in upstream natural assets are economically efficient and appreciate over time. Investments in downstream, grey infrastructure are capital intensive and depreciate over time.

 

  • Widespread and deeply-held public support: over 80 percent of British Columbians assert ongoing access to abundant clean fresh water in their regions is essential to health, food security, salmon, fire safety, jobs, economic well-being, and overall quality of life, both today, and in the years to come.

COALITION MEMBERS

SUPPORTERS

These organizations have provided letters in support of the Coalition’s Ask.

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