Message from the Minister and
Accountability Statement

I am pleased to present the Environmental Assessment Office Service Plan 2005/06–2007/08. The purpose of this plan is to facilitate the public's understanding of the core business of the Environmental Assessment Office, the resources it employs, and its expected results.

The Environmental Assessment Office plays an important role in British Columbia by delivering a thorough, timely and integrated environmental assessment process. It promotes the provincial goal of sustainability by protecting the environment and fostering a strong and vibrant economy.

Recent reforms to the environmental assessment process to streamline and customize review procedures are continuing to demonstrate increased business and industry confidence. More proponents are entering the process as the economy expands and new provincial timelines are providing increased process certainty. The Environmental Assessment Office continues to place a high priority on ensuring harmonized reviews when both the federal and provincial environmental assessment processes apply.

The plan indicates clear goals, objectives, and strategies for the Environmental Assessment Office to meet the performance measures shown.

The 2005/06–2007/08 Environmental Assessment Office Service Plan was prepared in accordance with the Budget Transparency and Accountability Act. I am accountable for the basis on which the plan has been prepared. All material fiscal assumptions and policy decisions as of January 31, 2005 have been considered in preparing the plan and I am accountable for achieving the specific objectives in the plan.

Honourable George Abbott
Minister of Sustainable Resource Management and
Minister Responsible for the Environmental Assessment Office

January 31, 2005