CPAWS-BC urges the BC Government to keep up conservation momentum following Mandate Letters

Unceded territories of the Coast Salish Peoples/Vancouver, BC – The Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society, British Columbia (CPAWS-BC) is urging the BC government to keep up momentum on conservation priorities following the release of mandate letters that provide direction to ministers on the priorities of Premier Eby’s new government.

“While we were glad to see this government will be tasked with working collaboratively with First Nations to protect critical ecosystems, we’re also concerned and disappointed by some key omissions in these mandate letters,” says Executive Director Sarah McNeil.

“For example, governments, communities, industry and other interest holders came together to develop key conservation priorities like the Coastal Marine Strategy, Together for Wildlife strategy, and the Biodiversity and Ecosystem Health Framework — and the Old Growth Strategy Review which spawned it. The health of ecosystems from inland forests all the way to the coast and beyond depend on the continued development and implementation of these priorities, yet none were mentioned at all.”

There was also no explicit reference to biodiversity or species-at-risk legislation in the mandate letters, despite over 1,600 species being listed as at-risk in BC.

“We were glad to see the inclusion of land use planning, and we’re hoping to see adequate resources, clear processes and conservation objectives as part of that process,” says McNeil, “We’ll be looking to the government to take concrete steps to halt biodiversity loss and ensure the long-term health of the nature our communities and economy depend on.”

The only reference to the Province’s previous commitment to protect 30% of lands and waters by 2030 comes alongside a mandate to enable mining exploration and development in partnership with First Nations. 

“While we understand that critical minerals are a necessary input in the energy transition, biodiversity impacts must be considered as part of any project approval process. We cannot simply trade one crisis for another, or pretend that they are not interlinked; we must address the biodiversity, climate and affordability crises together,” says McNeil.

For interviews contact: 
Max Winkelman 
Communications Manager
max@cpawsbc.org
604-685-7445 x3

Background:
Mandate Letter to Randene Neill, Minister of Water, Land and Resource Stewardship
Mandate Letter to Tamara Davidson, Minister of Environment and Parks
Mandate Letter to Adrian Dix, Minister of Energy and Climate Solutions
Mandate Letter to Kelly Greene, Minister of Emergency Management and Climate Readiness
Mandate Letter to Ravi Parmar, Minister of Forests
Mandate Letter to Christine Boyle, Minister of Indigenous Relations
Mandate Letter to Jagrup Brar, Minister of Mining and Critical Minerals