We are counting down until Friday, March 8th when our community expects to hear what the Ministry of Water, Land and Resource Stewardship has heard from Sunshine Coast residents about the Dock Management Plan, and what they plan to do with our requests.

Multiple community and government groups have started to receive invitations to meet with the government to engage, and our voices are starting to be heard. Recently, Leonard Lee and the SCRD team met with Minister of Water, Land and Resource Stewardship Nathan Cullen and Minister of Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation Murray Rankin to discuss the Dock Management Plan and next steps in the process following the closing of the public comment period. 

Province updates SCRD, mayors on proposed swiya dock management plan changes
‘The ministers were attentive to the questions and concerns we brought forward’ was SCRD chair Leonard Lee’s summation of a Feb. 23 meeting with provincial representatives on matters including the application for changes to the swiya dock management plan.
Coast ReporterProvince of BC

We hope that the government is conducting their meetings with the intention to meaningfully engage and not just check off boxes, but only time will tell.  

In the meantime, we are continuing to put pressure on the government to fix the Dock Management Plan and have crafted some materials that will hopefully help in our potential engagement with the government. A special thank you to the community members who helped us put this together.

Environmental Perspectives Summary

All of us in the Waterfront Protection Coalition share concerns that the environmental data used for the DMP is outdated and lacks important detail. The absence of clear reasoning for zoning in Pender Harbour, a lack of scientific basis for freshwater restrictions, and no recognition of the significance of water depth results in policy decisions. The environmental advantages of docks and boathouses as artificial reefs are overlooked. 

Acknowledging the effects of climate change and including practical measures like offsets in planning is essential. Docks and boathouses could provide important marine habitat. Grandfathering existing structures that don’t cause significant harm could prevent loss of habitats and biodiversity, emphasizing the need for a more environmentally conscious approach to dock management. 
 
With the help of a local volunteer with an extensive background in biology and environmental management, the WPC has compiled a list of our questions and concerns on this issue. These are included in our Environmental Perspectives report which can be found here:
View Report  | Download PDF

News & Media Updates

Letters: The Land Act changes aren’t proceeding, so why is the DMP?
‘Minister Cullen needs to understand that feelings of inadequate consultation apply to the DMP as well as the Land Act.’
Coast ReporterAlex Ratson / Moment / Getty Images
BC United says NDP made right choice to scrap amendments to Land Act - Okanagan | Globalnews.ca
The NDP said the point of amending the Land Act was to bring it into conformity with the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act (DRIPA).
Global NewsDoyle Potenteau