George Heyman, Minister of Environment and Climate Change Strategy, and Nathan Cullen, Minister of Water, Land and Resource Stewardship, have released the following statement about a new partnership between the Province and the Grizzly Bear Foundation aimed at reducing human-wildlife conflicts and enhancing the well-being of grizzly and black bears in the province:

People and wildlife in coastal communities of British Columbia will soon benefit from a cleaner coast because of new funding from the Province.

Communities in the Elk Valley will benefit from an updated plan that will ensure cleaner, healthier water for generations to come.

New rules for dispute resolution will help support settle conflicts between the Province and First Nations about environmental assessments, a significant milestone in the ongoing commitment to reconciliation and environmental stewardship.

The minister of environment and climate change strategy has determined that the Mud Bay Nature-Based Foreshore Enhancement project will not require an environmental assessment certificate to move forward.

A major expansion of Klinse-za Park, located west of Chetwynd and Hudson’s Hope in northeastern B.C., will better protect sacred sites and wildlife habitat, and contribute to the goal of protecting 30% of lands in B.C. by 2030.

New members of B.C.’s Climate Solutions Council will support the Province’s work to transition to a clean economy with good, sustainable jobs for British Columbians.

British Columbia’s natural environment will be better protected with stronger enforcement to stop people from committing environmental crimes in provincial parks, protected areas and ecological reserves.

B.C.’s Environmental Assessment Office (EAO) has launched a new tool to engage the public during environmental assessments, empowering people to have a more meaningful impact on the decision-making process for major projects proposed throughout the province.