Appendix 1. Strategic Context

Vision, Mission and Principles

Vision

Sustainable economic development that reflects the social, cultural and environmental values of British Columbians.

Mission

Provide British Columbians with a well-designed and well-delivered environmental assessment process that reflects the government's objectives for economic growth, strong communities and sustainable resource management, based on maintaining high environmental standards.

Principles

The Environmental Assessment Office is guided by the following principles:

1. Neutrality — Neutrally and centrally administered process.

2. Fairness — Fair and open process.

3. Balance — Decisions are based on impartial, balanced and informed recommendations.

4. Science-based decision-making — Best available information, knowledge and technologies are considered and utilized.

5. Consultative — Participatory and transparent, ensuring meaningful opportunities for public and First Nations input.

6. Inter-jurisdictional coordination — Streamlined process minimizing duplication and overlap.

Organizational Values

The Environmental Assessment Office is guided in its organizational behaviour by the following values:

• cooperation and teamwork;
• respect for the values and opinions of others;
• continuous improvement to ensure quality service;
• a professional and high-performance culture, encouraging innovation and creativity;
• a healthy workplace supporting staff development, recognition, and opportunity; and
• accountability to the people of British Columbia.

Planning Context

Overview — The number of reviewable projects has doubled compared to levels expected when the Service Plan and budget were first developed in 2001. The new Environmental Assessment Act and reforms to streamline the environmental assessment process are providing greater process efficiencies for the Environmental Assessment Office and other provincial agencies to partially compensate for this increasing workload. These reforms are also ensuring that British Columbia maintains a fair and balanced process that is competitive with other jurisdictions.

The improvements to British Columbia's environmental assessment process have resulted in 5 projects opting in to the process. Other factors discussed below have resulted in a number of new projects.

Reasons for Increased Project Workload:

• 2010 Olympics — In 2003, British Columbia was awarded the right to stage the 2010 Winter Olympics and Paralympic Games. It is anticipated that the games will require a number of new venues and infrastructure investments. The Environmental Assessment Office is working with the Olympic Committee on some of these projects to determine which projects will be reviewed.
• Provincial Energy Plan — The release of the new provincial energy plan has resulted in two new wind farm projects entering the environmental assessment process this fiscal year, and four or more wind farms are expected in FY 04/05. In addition, it is expected that at least one new run-of-river hydro proposal will enter in the near future and discussions are ongoing with regard to a co-generation facility.
• Mining Sector Development — Increasing metal prices have triggered renewed interest in mining in the province. There are a number of mining projects active in the environmental assessment process and a number expressing interest in entering the process.
• Provincial Infrastructure Development — Five major projects have been submitted for review under the government's Public/Private Partnership initiative: the Vancouver Trade and Convention Centre, the rapid transit link between downtown Vancouver and the airport, the Sea to Sky Highway improvements, South Fraser Perimeter Road and the New Fraser River Crossing Project.

Economy — British Columbia's independent economic forecast council expects growth in British Columbia's economy to increase to 2.9 per cent in 2004. Further information on the British Columbia outlook may be found in the Budget and Three Year Fiscal Plan released with the budget.

Achievement of provincial government budget goals, combined with a broad economic upturn will leave British Columbia well positioned to take advantage of increased economic activity. The Environmental Assessment Office is preparing for a sustained high volume of projects over the next two years.

Market Expectations — Goal One of the government's strategic plan is "a strong and vibrant provincial economy." Attracting, planning, building and operating new facilities in the province contributes to that goal. An efficient and effective environmental assessment process is an important factor in investment decision making.

Federal Government's Role — More than 80 per cent of projects subject to the provincial environmental assessment process must also satisfy federal environmental assessment requirements. As a result of court decisions, new initiatives and the evolution of the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act, the federal government continues to modify and in some cases enlarge its interpretation of federal jurisdiction. This has the potential to conflict with the operation of the provincial assessment process, and to threaten the integrity of provincial decision making involving certain resource issues.

The Environmental Assessment Office is focusing on maintaining a clear position on provincial jurisdiction, while continuing to refine operating procedures with the federal government to ensure harmonized federal/provincial reviews proceed in a smooth and timely manner.

First Nations — The Environmental Assessment Office continues to work with First Nations to support their participation in reviews and to ensure aboriginal interests are appropriately considered through meaningful consultation and accommodation. Proponents, as well as the federal and provincial governments, continue to work with First Nations on issues related to individual projects as well as larger economic and resource issues. Meeting provincial common law obligations while achieving desired review timelines will continue to be a challenge.

Provincial Fiscal Goals — The provincial government is committed to balancing the budget. The Environmental Assessment Office continues to take steps to meet its own budget goals, and to plan for anticipated increased project reviews associated with the economic gains and special projects, such as the 2010 Olympics and major infrastructure projects. The Environmental Assessment Office will continue to seek innovative approaches and procedural adjustments to adapt to the resources available across government, while continuing to fulfill its mandate.

Highlights of Strategic Shifts and Changes from Previous Service Plan

The Environmental Assessment Office is on track to achieve the improvements outlined in its 2003/04 – 2005/06 Service Plan published last year. The key improvements are reiterated below.

The following strategic shifts were adopted as part of the Environmental Assessment Office's Core Services Review direction. Beginning with the implementation of the new Environmental Assessment Act in December 2002 and the other measures described in last year's Service Plan, the Environmental Assessment Office has undertaken major reform of the environmental assessment process:

• from a prescriptive and standardized process to a flexible and customized process that can be tailored to the specific needs of the project;
• from a process that placed a heavy administrative burden on ministries to a process that reduces government's administrative burden and reduces costs;
• from a process that could be quite lengthy to a shorter overall review process that places greater responsibility on proponent deliverables;
• from a process that provided little flexibility in determining which projects would be reviewed to a process that provides more flexibility in designating projects as reviewable.

While the new Environmental Assessment Act has only been in effect for a year, initial signs are encouraging. Experience to date with proponents choosing to opt-in to the environmental assessment process suggests increased proponent confidence in the process. At the same time, public consultation efforts have not diminished under the new process, and through negotiations, a high level of First Nations participation has also been maintained. Joint federal/provincial EA reviews face some harmonization challenges which are now being addressed through a new cooperative agreement. The greatest harmonization gains are achieved through joint sign-off on workplans and review schedules. Targeted cost efficiencies are being realized, and the Environmental Assessment Office is gearing up for a sustained high volume of project reviews for the next two years.

The results of the environmental assessment reforms will be reported in the 2003/04 Service Plan Report.

Consistency with Government Strategic Plan

The Environmental Assessment Office Service Plan 2004/05 – 2006/07 supports the Government of British Columbia's long-term goals of:

• a strong and vibrant provincial economy; and
• safe, healthy communities and a sustainable environment.

The Environmental Assessment Office's principles and organizational values support the government's core values. The goals, objectives, and strategies of the Environmental Assessment Office reflect government's commitment to operate in an innovative, results-orientated, and accountable manner consistent with the following managerial principles:

• high standards of accountability, consultation and ethics;
• focused and efficient delivery of government services;
• social and fiscal responsibility;
• open and transparent government; and
• an innovative and goal-oriented public service.

While no New Era commitments refer specifically to environmental assessment, or the Environmental Assessment Office, the environmental assessment process contributes to the achievement of government commitments for:

• a thriving private sector economy and enhanced competitive business climate;
• cutting red tape and providing faster approvals and greater access to Crown land and resources;
• effective and sustainable use of provincial land and resources;
• a scientifically-based, balanced and principled approach to environmental management;
• protecting human health;
• eliminating federal/provincial overlaps that increase costs, and frustrate economic development;
• improving the regulatory regime and reducing the number of regulations by one-third within three years;
• increased focus on customer service and leadership in electronic government;
• open and accountable government; and
• responsible fiscal management of tax dollars.

Deregulation

The Government of British Columbia is committed to reducing unnecessary red tape and regulation by one-third within three years. The Environmental Assessment Office set a target of 33 per cent for fiscal year 2004/05. Legislative and policy changes made in fiscal year 2002/03 resulted in a 56 per cent reduction in the regulatory burden associated with the environmental assessment process in British Columbia. This exceeds the Environmental Assessment Office's target by 23 per cent. This level of reduction will be maintained throughout 2005/06. The new Environmental Assessment Act provides for a streamlined review process and allows more procedural flexibility to accommodate project specific circumstances.