News & Media

Minister heard loud and clear from public on Land Act legislation, now it’s time to resolve concerns on Dock Management Plan

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

Minister of Land, Water, and Resource Stewardship, Nathan Cullen has heard loud and clear from the public and stakeholder groups about the government’s failure to properly engage British Columbians on proposed changes to the Land Act.

Now, the Waterfront Protection Coalition (WPC) is calling on the Minister, and the David Eby government, to take immediate action to resolve serious concerns regarding the Dock Management Plan (DMP) impacting citizens and marine users in coastal B.C. 

The issue is the same – how will the Province of B.C. make decisions regarding Crown land and tenures in the future? The Dock Management Plan is considered by Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP (Blakes) as a high-profile example of the impacts of shared decision-making where stakeholders are left in the dark.

Thousands of tenure holders on the Sunshine Coast and throughout coastal B.C. are impacted by the Dock Management Plan, directly or by the precedent it will set. Private moorage holders constitute a significant segment of Crown Land lease holders, accounting for around 10% of all provincial Crown Land tenures.

The proposed DMP is unfair and punitive to people from all walks of life, with many facing the removal of their dock and/or expensive upgrades. Coastal residents are frustrated and angry by the absence of meaningful engagement, a lack of scientific studies, and a refusal by the Province to consider grandfathering tenures. A recent comment period closed despite calls for an extension from local government and coastal residents. 

Last week, over 600 people attended a virtual forum hosted by the WPC to provide an update to its members on its attempts to meaningfully engage with the government. The WPC formally requested a meeting with Minister Cullen via a letter sent on February 2, 2024, sharing the concerns of coastal residents and people around BC over the impacts of the DMP. It has yet to receive a response from the Minister. 

The DMP process is broken and we want to engage with government to help resolve concerns, and move forward positively. We urge the government to engage with us, and other impacted parties, to demonstrate to the rest of the province how a shared decision-making process can work, because it’s definitely not working here. 

Background: 

The Waterfront Protection Coalition (WPC) is a collective effort that represents thousands of residents and businesses potentially affected by the proposed Dock Management Plan by the Ministry of Water, Land and Resource Stewardship of British Columbia. We acknowledge and respect the shishálh Nation, and other First Nations’, concerns for the protection of BC’s coastline and waterways, and we respect the interests of all communities and stakeholders in the shared use of our marine environment. Our goal is to work alongside the Nation, the Province, and key stakeholder groups to find a path forward in the short term, and reach long-term solutions to meet the needs of future generations. 

For more details about Waterfront Protection Coalition visit: waterfrontprotection.org

Media Contact: 

info@waterfrontprotection.org

Waterfront Protection Coalition calls for meeting with Minister Cullen on dock issue and extension to public comment period

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

(PENDER HARBOUR, BC) – The Waterfront Protection Coalition (WPC) is urging the Minister of Land, Water, and Resource Stewardship, Nathan Cullen, to extend the comment period and meaningfully engage with affected stakeholders on the proposed Dock Management Plan (DMP). Despite the Minister’s public statements about wanting to engage with stakeholders, coastal residents, boaters, and dock users remain in the dark.

Last week, over 600 people attended a virtual forum hosted by the WPC to provide an update to its members on efforts to meaningfully engage with the government on the DMP. The WPC formally requested a meeting with Minister Cullen via a letter sent on February 2, 2024, sharing the concerns of coastal residents and people around BC over the impacts of the DMP. 

“Our message to Minister Cullen is that the DMP process is broken and that we want to engage to help resolve concerns and move forward positively with the shíshálh Nation.” 

“However, the proposed Dock Management Plan is unfair and punitive to people from all walks of life, with many facing the removal of their dock and/or expensive upgrades. Local residents are frustrated and angry by the absence of meaningful engagement between the Province and impacted parties,” said Bruce McLeod, Vice President, Waterfront Protection Coalition. 

“With over 600 people attending a virtual forum, on short notice, that demonstrates the high level of concern on the coast. Private moorage holders constitute a significant segment of Crown Land lease holders, accounting for around 10% of all provincial Crown Land tenures. This issue is going to get hotter unless the Province wakes up.” 

The DMP issue on the Sunshine Coast comes at the same time the Province is proposing amendments to the Land Act. 

“As the government considers Land Act legislation, the Dock Management Plan is considered by Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP (Blakes) as a high-profile example of the impacts of shared decision-making where stakeholders are left in the dark. We urge the government to engage with us and other impacted parties, and demonstrate to the rest of the province how a shared decision-making process can work, because it’s definitely not working here,” concluded McLeod. 

Background: 

The Waterfront Protection Coalition (WPC) is a collective effort that represents thousands of residents and businesses potentially affected by the proposed Dock Management Plan by the Ministry of Water, Land and Resource Stewardship of British Columbia. We acknowledge and respect the shishálh Nation, and other First Nations’, concerns for the protection of BC’s coastline and waterways, and we respect the interests of all communities and stakeholders in the shared use of our marine environment. Our goal is to work alongside the Nation, the Province, and key stakeholder groups to find a path forward in the short term, and reach long-term solutions to meet the needs of future generations. 

For more details about Waterfront Protection Coalition visit: waterfrontprotection.org

Media Contact: 

info@waterfrontprotection.org