Watershed Security Strategy

What is this engagement about?

The Province of British Columbia concluded engagement on an Intentions Paper for the Watershed Security Strategy and Fund on April 17, 2023. The Intentions Paper was the mid-way point in the development of the Strategy and built on what was heard during the first period of engagement in early 2022.

The purpose of the Strategy is to lead the changes needed to create a future for B.C. where our watersheds are better cared for and stewarded together.

Timeline: March 6, 2023 to April 17, 2023 (complete)

Learn more about this project

We welcomed feedback through an online questionnaire and by written submission from March 6, 2023 to April 17, 2023 at 4:00 p.m.

Intentions paper

Read the Intentions Paper

Status:Closed

Watershed Security Strategy and Fund Survey

There was an opportunity to provide feedback on the Watershed Security Strategy and Fund Intentions Paper by completing this online survey. The feedback will help inform the Watershed Security Strategy and Fund.

Status:Closed

Written submissions

Interested parties could share thoughts on the WSS Intentions Paper. Feedback received by the deadline will be included in the next “What We Heard Report”. We welcome submissions after this deadline, but please note that they will not be part of the “What We Heard Report”.

What We Heard about the Discussion Paper

Government has prepared a What We Heard Report that summarizes the feedback on the Watershed Security Strategy and Fund Discussion Paper from public engagement.

This What We Heard Report summarizes key themes captured during the engagement process between January 25 and March 18, 2022. Over 1,500 submissions were received from across the province from individual citizens, members of environmental organizations, representatives from other levels of government, business and industry including forestry, agriculture, mining and energy, partnership organizations, water suppliers, academia, professional organizations and health care fields.

A separate report is being prepared to summarize feedback received through webinars and meetings with Indigenous peoples.

Read the Discussion Paper What We Heard Report

Next Steps

The Ministry of Water, Land and Resource Stewardship will use your feedback on the Intentions Paper to inform the development of a final Watershed Security Strategy for B.C.

All comments received on the Intentions Paper and the survey by 4:00 p.m. (PST) on April 17, 2023, will be compiled for review and included in a “What We Heard Report” that will be posted in summer 2023. We welcome more input after this deadline but please note that it will not be part of the “What We Heard Report”.

The Watershed Security Strategy will be launched in Winter 2023/24.