WHEREAS the Government of Canada and the Province of British Columbia have signed a Memorandum of Understanding respecting the implementation of Canadas Oceans Strategy on the Pacific Coast of Canada; AND WHEREAS the process of integrated planning for the Pacific North Coast Integrated Management area PNCIMA appears to have stalled due to lack of commitment and adequate funding: THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Union of British Columbia Municipalities urge the Government of Canada and the Government of British Columbia to immediately commit to increased engagement and collaboration in the integrated Oceans Management Planning Process for the Pacific Coast of Canada.
Ministry of Environment The Province has been engaged in detailed discussions with the Federal representatives and Turning Point First Nations to provide input to the design, governance framework, deliverables, and sequencing of the PNCIMA process. The Province remains engaged in these discussions, and will be evaluating how best to support or provide input to the process to assure that provincial interests are adequately addressed. The Provincial government is already active in coastal planning, and has completed a number of coastal plans wholly or partially within the Pacific North Coast Integrated Management Area PNCIMA, such as Johstone Bute, Quatsino and North Island Straits. The province intends to continue to engage with First Nations, the federal government and local communities to develop or update coastal plans where a clear business case exists. In addition the Provincial government has and continues to develop considerable coastal information which will inform any integrated planning processes in the PNCIMA area.