A crucial component to achieving success with the
PNCIMA
planning process is comprehensive stakeholder buy-in and support. This needs to happen early in the planning process so that there is widespread understanding and engagement of the people that will ultimately implement the recommendations to come out of the final plan.
Living Oceans Society believes that a planning process for PNCIMA will only succeed if thepeople who work and live in the region are involved in a meaningfulway. Based on our review of best practices from around the world, we have developed eight principles for sound stakeholder engagement.
In the three years between 2005 and present, DFO has been working collaboratively with First Nations in the region and the Province of B.C. to draft a framework for the PNCIMA marine planning process. Although DFO recognizes that stakeholders need to be engaged, they have not yet consulted with them.
As a result of the current lack of stakeholder engagement in the PNCIMA process, Living Oceans Society decided to go out and talk to people that have a vested interest in this region.
Stakeholder Conversations and Feedback
Living Oceans Society held one-on-one meetings and conversations with several stakeholders throughout the PNCIMA region from May - August 2007 to discuss why marine planning is important. People told us what they think are some of the issues that could be addressed by a marine planning process and how they would like to be engaged as the process unfolds.Meeting participants were asked to fill out a survey, the results of which were compiled and summarized along with the feedback from the conversations in a comprehensive report. Click here to download a copy.
The survey remains open, so please take part and tell us what you think are the most pressing issues currently facing B.C.’s coastal environment and resources.
Community Meetings
Living Oceans Society and the B.C. ENGO Marine Planning Caucus held community meetings in late August and mid-September to talk to the people who work and live on the coast about why marine planning is important and to hear what they think are some of the issues that could be addressed by a marine planning process.Read a report about our tour to:
- Prince Rupert
- Campbell River
- Port McNeill
- Alert Bay
- Sointula
- Port Hardy
- Bella Coola
