The parties' promises on Water and watersheds

We don't have any BC NDP policies on Water and watersheds .

BC Conservatives

Plan for water sustainability in partnership with farmers and ranchers, and include climate resilience measures and protections

"Plan for water sustainability in partnership with farmers and ranchers to balance the water needs of food producers and local communities. These plans should include climate resilience measures and protections to sustain food production during droughts or floods." — conservativebc.ca, retrieved 2024-10-08

BC Greens

Regulate the ship breaking industry to protect coastal habitats from harmful practices for disposing of old ships

"Regulate the shipbreaking industry to protect coastal habitats from harmful practices." — BC Greens 2024 Platform, retrieved 2024-10-09
Provide $100M to create and support watershed boards in every community, and commit $100M

"Create and support watershed boards in every community. These boards will be granted authority over decisions that affect watershed security and will serve as collaborative platforms where First Nations and local stakeholders - farmers, industry representatives, commercial users, and environmental stewards - can collaboratively manage and conserve their local water sources.

We will commit $100 million to fund the establishment and ongoing support of watershed boards across the province, ensuring their sustainability and effectiveness." — BC Greens 2024 Platform, retrieved 2024-10-09
Set clear environmental and critical flow thresholds to safeguard water ecosystems

"Set clear environmental and critical flow thresholds to safeguard water ecosystems and ensure sustainable water use across the province." — BC Greens 2024 Platform, retrieved 2024-10-09
Implement stronger protections and monitoring to prevent contamination and overuse of drinking water

"Safeguard drinking water sources by implementing stronger protections and monitoring to prevent contamination and overuse." — BC Greens 2024 Platform, retrieved 2024-10-09
Require industries to accurately report their water use and watershed state

"Require industries to accurately report their water use and provide state-of-the-watershed reporting, improving transparency and resource management." — BC Greens 2024 Platform, retrieved 2024-10-09
Grant amnesty to farmers and long-standing water users who missed previous deadlines, letting them apply for water licenses before new users
Update the "first-in-time, first-in-right" principle

"Update the “first-in-time, first-in-right” principle to reflect modern realities, ensuring allocations are adaptable and durable." — BC Greens 2024 Platform, retrieved 2024-10-09
Give local watershed boards a role in critical water-use decisions

"Empower local watershed boards to have a role in critical water-use decisions." — BC Greens 2024 Platform, retrieved 2024-10-09
Improve the Ministry of Environment's ability to administer penalties

"Improve the Ministry of Environment’s ability to administer penalties, enhancing compliance with water use regulations and protecting water resources." — BC Greens 2024 Platform, retrieved 2024-10-09
Use federal funding to create a $1B endowment for the BC Watershed Security Fund, and provide $75M/annually of provincial funding

"Leverage federal funding to create a $1 billion endowment for the BC Watershed Security Fund. The fund will support community planning, decision-making functions, and natural defenses against floods, fires, droughts, and contamination.

Provide $75 million annually to the BC Watershed Security Fund to ensure sustainable, long-term investment in watershed management." — BC Greens 2024 Platform, retrieved 2024-10-09
Require municipalities install water meters to track water usage

"Mandate that municipalities install water meters to track water usage, ensuring accountability and promoting conservation." — BC Greens 2024 Platform, retrieved 2024-10-09
Build more water storage reservoirs and bolster wetlands to improve water retention and resilience against drought

"Invest in building more water storage reservoirs and bolster wetlands to enhance water retention and resilience against drought." — BC Greens 2024 Platform, retrieved 2024-10-09
Protect the province's water resources to ensure long-term water security
Increase water rental rates, and commit to an ongoing, comprehensive review of rates

"• Increase water rental rates to reflect the true ecological costs of water extraction in BC.

• Commit to an ongoing, comprehensive review of water rental rates to ensure they remain fair and reflective of ecological values."

— BC Greens 2024 Platform, retrieved 2024-10-09
Suspend all non-essential industrial water uses, including fracking and water bottling, during periods of severe drought

"Suspend all non-essential industrial water uses, including fracking and water bottling, during periods of severe drought to prioritize essential water needs." — BC Greens 2024 Platform, retrieved 2024-10-09
Mandate treatment and increased reuse of fracking wastewater to minimise the use of fresh water in fracking

"Mandate the treatment and increased reuse of fracking wastewater to minimize the use of fresh water in fracking operations." — BC Greens 2024 Platform, retrieved 2024-10-09
Use stricter standards for disposal wells and require ongoing testing of water systems affected by oil and gas operations

"Implement stricter standards for disposal wells and require baseline and ongoing testing of water systems affected by oil and gas operations." — BC Greens 2024 Platform, retrieved 2024-10-09
Transfer water licensing and permitting authority back to the Water Stewardship Branch

"Transfer water licensing and permitting authority back to the Water Stewardship Branch, ending preferential treatment for oil and gas companies and ensuring stricter oversight." — BC Greens 2024 Platform, retrieved 2024-10-09

Water and watersheds platforms

BC Conservatives

BC Greens

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