The Revolving Door of Water Governance in British Columbia: A Call for Stability
Dr. Nelson R. Jatel
Social Scientist. Limnologist. Adjunct Professor (UBCO). A dedicated leader in water management. Social Network Analyst. Change management professional. Speaker. Author. Lecturer.
Introduction: Water, the lifeblood of our planet, has seen its governance shift and evolve in British Columbia over the years. The province's approach to water management has been akin to a revolving door, with various ministries taking charge at different times. But what does this mean for our water's future?
The Historical Dance of Ministries: Over the past few decades, BC has seen the responsibility for water bounce between different governmental departments. From the Ministry of Environment, Land and Parks during the Dosanjh era to the more recent Watershed Security Strategy under the Horgan administration, the stewardship of our most precious resource has been a game of musical chairs.
Why Consistency Matters: Frequent shifts in water governance can lead to:
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The Call for a Unified Approach: BC needs a consistent and unified approach for effective water governance. A single, dedicated ministry for water can:
Looking Ahead: While the past has seen multiple shifts in water governance, the future calls for stability. As we face increasing challenges from climate change, industrial demands, and population growth, having a stable and dedicated approach to water governance becomes even more crucial.
Conclusion: The revolving door of water governance in BC highlights the need for a more stable and dedicated approach. As stakeholders in this province, we must advocate for consistent and effective water management. After all, our future depends on it.
Call to Action: If you're as passionate about water governance as I am, let's start a conversation. Comment below or reach out directly. Together, we can ensure a sustainable water future for British Columbia.
Excellent points. The left-right political pendulum is incredibly expensive, as new governments shift ministries and priorities, only to re-establish the functions under a different name when they realize that what they abolished was needed. Seeing those left-right shifts made me wonder how more balanced, broadly-supported and longer-lasting policy could be achieved. With a proportional representation electoral system, more collaboration between parties with different viewpoints is the norm. The Syilx story of the Four Food Chiefs goes even further to say that all voices, even the most small and annoying, need to be heard and valued to support wise decisions. Perhaps we are all on a journey to learn wise self-governance. But the climate crisis requires us to get our act together asap!
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1 年I concur. Wouldn’t it be amazing if there was consistency and we addressed the circular water economy within one ministry? I was interacting with three, and now there are four. Fewer silos, and a unified approach are the only way forward in dealing with the impacts of climate change.