Message from the Minister and
Accountability Statement

As the Minister responsible, I am committed to protecting the province's water, land and air in partnership with all British Columbians. Our ministry supports the government's goal of sustained economic competitiveness, and while British Columbians maximize the benefits from our natural resources, we can maintain the quality of our environment and enhance the health of our communities. It is this balance the Ministry of Water, Land and Air Protection is working toward — all within the realm of a balanced provincial budget. British Columbia's environment is important to this government for this generation and future generations.

The ministry's 2005/06–2007/08 Service Plan outlines how we continue to oversee the province's tremendously rich resources and land base. The plan shows how we use sustainable economic development to provide the provincial government with the financial resources to protect, promote and preserve our spectacular natural environment in partnership with other governments, First Nations, communities and citizens. It is this shared stewardship approach that produces results.

Our ministry continues to pursue a principled approach to environmental stewardship, using science to inform decisions and setting standards to achieve goals. This Service Plan guides how we develop policy and regulations and includes clear goals, objectives, targets and performance measures for protecting and enhancing British Columbia's water, land and air. We live in a beautiful province with a clean and healthy environment and recognize that British Columbians are committed to keeping it that way.

The 2005/06–2007/08 Ministry of Water, Land and Air Protection Service Plan was prepared under my direction 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 Bill Barisoff
Minister of Water, Land and Air Protection

February 3, 2005