Media Contacts

Ministry of Water, Land and Resource Stewardship

Media Relations
GCPE.WLRSmedia@gov.bc.ca
250-419-8775

Backgrounders

What people are saying about the new Adventure Tourism Hub

Dave Butler, strategic advocacy co-ordinator, HeliCat Canada –  

“HeliCat Canada is very pleased that the Province of B.C. is moving ahead with the Adventure Tourism Hub. This is a pivotal step forward in creating the conditions for investment and operating certainty that supports sustainable adventure tourism and the rural communities and First Nations that rely on it. We look forward to working with the Province to pilot the project with our member businesses.”

Kathy MacRae, co-chair, Adventure Tourism Coalition –  

“A centralized adventure permitting hub is great news for the B.C. Adventure Tourism Coalition and the industry. It streamlines what has traditionally been a complex process, giving us more consistency and a single point of contact. That means we can spend less time navigating paperwork and more time doing what we do best – delivering safe, high-quality experiences for our guests and supporting local communities.”

Scott Ellis, co-chair, Adventure Tourism Coalition –  

“When people think of 'Super, Natural British Columbia,' they often picture adventure tourism experiences. We’re encouraged by this investment in a pilot project to streamline decision-making through a one-window, hub-based model.”

Amber Papou, CEO, Tourism Industry Association of British Columbia (TIABC) –  

“Removing barriers for adventure tourism operators is a positive step for businesses and the tourism sector overall. When business owners and investors have clarity on processes, they can invest and grow with confidence. TIABC is pleased to see the Province listening to the needs of the industry and working across government to help create the right conditions for tourism industry growth.”

Iain Stewart-Patterson, board member and lead guide, Canadian Motorized Backcountry Guides Association –

“The Canadian Motorized Backcountry Guides Association welcomes the launch of the Adventure Tourism Hub. This important and timely initiative marks a significant step forward for the snowmobile and snowbike guiding industry. By creating a centralized process, it will help drive growth, attract investment and strengthen rural communities – supporting both infrastructure development and the people in the industry.”

Showing success in permitting transformation

The Province has made updating and streamlining its permitting processes a key goal in its efforts to support continued economic success. Across government, it’s becoming easier and faster to apply for and receive the permits that make projects of all sizes possible.

Here are some examples of how B.C. is changing the permitting landscape to build a stronger, more diverse economy that succeeds for all people in British Columbia:

Shorter timelines for projects across multiple sectors

  • successfully cleared 100% of the provincial permit backlog for building housing
  • reduced the average number of days to process a housing application by 40% and connectivity applications by nearly 50%
  • brought water licence approval times for transportation projects down from 24 months to less than one month
  • issued 34% more mineral exploration permits in 2025 compared to the year before
  • approved the Mt. Milligan mine extension in approximately 9.5 months after a co-ordinated, single-application review while maintaining environmental, safety and consultation standards
  • reduced forestry cutting permit timelines from 40 to 25 days
  • approvals for nine wind-power projects announced under the 2024 call for power have been streamlined by creating a dedicated wind-power project permitting process

Public input shapes statutory changes to permitting processes

  • In February 2026, amendments were made to permitting processes, based on public input. These updates allow for permitting staff to focus on high-risk applications while maintaining B.C.’s high environmental standards.
  • Rebuilding homes in disaster areas that are located in low-risk riparian areas now have flexibility to proceed thanks to a streamlined process.
  • Low-risk construction dewatering activities don’t need authorization under the Water Sustainability Act, supporting faster development.
  • Building ice roads to support restoration at oil and gas sites no longer requires short-term water-use permits.
  • Local governments, First Nations and Crown corporations will be able to conduct stream restoration activities more easily.