- Our State of the Fraser Basin Conferences
The Fraser Basin Council convenes a biennial conference to report on its activities in the Basin, raise public awareness about sustainability, honour those who have made significant contributions towards a more sustainable future, and showcase the progress that is being made in addressing social, economic and environmental challenges.
The 2006 Conference is all about "Inspiring Action" and takes place in Vancouver November 16 and 17, 2006.
Looking back, the first ever State of the Fraser Basin Conference in 1998 profiled the Basin's five regions. The second conference in 2000 focused on the theme of "Doing and Measuring" and reinforced the importance of measuring progress towards sustainability. The 2003 Conference focused on "Collaborative Leadership for Sustainability" and the 2004 State of the Fraser Basin Conference theme was "Sustainability Works".
The (State of the Fraser Basin) Conference... brought
forward many ideas and strategies to provide the information and guidance
needed to bring sustainability to the Fraser Basin. It is conferences such
as these that allow a large number of people to come together and work
towards a common goal.
- Richard Prokopanko, Director, Corporate
Affairs, Alcan
2004 State of the Fraser Basin Conference
2004 - Patrick Reid presenting the 2004 State of the Basin Address
It was standing room only and front-page news as almost 400 delegates packed the 2004 State of the Fraser Basin Conference in Vancouver on November 2004 The conference brought together an unprecedented lineup of diverse and knowledgeable speakers and delegates committed to advancing sustainability throughout British Columbia. Speakers included farmers and ranchers, CEOs of major corporations, mayors and councilors from throughout the Fraser Basin, First Nations leaders, small business owners, senior federal and provincial ministers and officials, members of the media, students and the heads of major environmental, multicultural and smart growth organizations.
Together, these speakers and delegates discussed, described and debated how we can bet manager the Fraser River Basin’s growth in ways that will enhance the economic, social and environmental health of the entire province.
During seven concurrent sessions, speakers tackled hot sustainability issues including agriculture and food production, business, climate change, fish and fisheries, flood and drought, sustainable communities and ways to improve Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal relations.
Highlights at this year’s conference included the “State of
the Basin Address” by FBC Chair Patrick Reid, a response to the address
from community and business leaders, a session devote to perspectives on
sustainability from government leaders and a new, student “reporter” program
developed to bring more young people to the conference. Michael O’Brien,
Vice President of the Vancouver International Airport Authority, gave a rousing
keynote address at the Friday lunch.
2004
- Pictured at the "2020 Vsion for 2010" session are (l-r): The
Vancouver Suns's Editor-In-Chief Patricia Graham, Fraser Basin Council Vice
Chair Roy Mussell, Assembly of First Nations BC Regional Chief Shawn Atleo,
Alcan BC's Richard Prokopanko, Man in Motion Rick Hansen, Whistler Mayor
and FBC Director Hugh O'Reilly, 2010 Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games
CEO John Furlong, SmartGrowth BC's Executive Director Cheeying Ho, recent
UBC graduate Alice Miro, and BC Hydro President and CEO Bob Elton.
The special session on Saturday morning – A 2020 Vision for 2010: Going for Sustainability Gold! – provided an emotional, inspirational and challenging close to the conference. The FBC also released the 2004 State of the Fraser Basin Report: Sustainability Snapshot 2 at the conference. The report includes information on 17 key environmental, economic and social indicators on issues that affect each of our lives, every day.
The conference attracted a record number of sponsors, including The Vancouver Sun that provided extensive coverage of the event.
Response from delegates to the conference was very positive. Many said it was “the best Fraser Basin conference ever” and 100% of exit survey respondents said they would recommend the next conference to their friends and colleagues.
2002 State of the Fraser Basin Conference
The third biennial State of the Fraser Basin Conference, held in Richmond in January 2003, brought together over 350 delegates from community and environmental organizations, business and industry, and the four orders of Canadian government to look at the state of the Fraser River Basin. The conference focused on new models of collaborative leadership and new ways of working together to achieve a sustainable future.
2002 - Iona Campagnolo, Lieutenant-Governor of BC and
former Chair of the Fraser Basin Council, greets Mike Harcourt at the
State of the Fraser Basin Conference Sustainability Awards. This was
the former BC premier's first public appearance since his accident.
Highlights of the three day conference included an advance workshop for business, government and community groups to learn how to put sustainability into practice; the opening banquet with former Deputy Prime Minister Herb Gray and adventurer Bruce Kirkby; the release of the Snapshot on Sustainability: State of the Fraser Basin Report; Dr. Jack Blaney's "State of the Basin Address;" responses to the address by a panel of business, labour, First Nations and environmental leaders, as well as by local, provincial and federal government representatives; trade show displays; opportunities for networking; and extensive media coverage.
What became evident at the conference is that grappling effectively with such major issues such as preparing for the next great Fraser River flood, strengthening rural communities, building constructive aboriginal and non-aboriginal relationships, managing the impacts of climate change, restoring a healthy salmon fisheries and controlling invasive plant species requires new ways of thinking. Old "top down," status quo, single jurisdictional models of dealing with these complex issues are not up to the challenge. They simply don't work any more. New models of leadership are required that are collaborative, courageous, compelling and committed.
Overall, the conference was an example of diverse groups of people sharing information and mobilizing into action in response to the need for change. It was inspiring to see so many levels of government and society focusing on the issue of sustainability...(it) left me with the impression that if this many heads are put together, there is no doubt that creative and effective solutions will result.- Lisa Bland, conference delegate and student at University College of the Cariboo in Williams Lake
2002 - Keynote speakers at the Opening Banquet included
(l-r) former Deputy Prime Minister Herb Gray and adventurer Bruce Kirkby
pictured here with Jack Blaney.
2000 State of the Fraser Basin Conference
Held over two days at the Best Western Richmond Inn, the Conference drew
nearly 300 delegates from the Fraser Basin and beyond to hear an array
of speakers from all order of government, First Nations, business and
NGO’s. Chair, Iona Campagnolo, delivered the first ever State-of-the-Basin
Address, taking delegates on a virtual tour that highlighted sustainable
and non-sustainable activities around the Basin.
Following its theme of “Doing and Measuring”, the Council profiled its initial work on indicators that will eventually be used to measure progress toward sustainability in the Fraser Basin. Speakers such as Dr. Stuart Smith of the National Round Table on the Environment and the Economy, Johanne Gelinas, the Environment and Sustainable Development Commissioner, Wayne Soper of Westcoast Energy, Mark Anielski of the Pembina Institute and Margaret Cately Carlson, Chair of the World Water Council, discussed the value of measurements and indicators in their own sustainability work.
A particular highlight of the conference was the “Four Orders Breakfast” where key individuals from each order of government (First Nations, local, provincial and federal) outlined their government’s approach to sustainability.
For more information on the 2000 State of the Fraser Basin Conference, go to:
2000 - “Four Orders” Breakfast – seated left to right (Keith
Draper, Federal Department of Western Economic Diversification Canada;
Chief Stewart Phillip, President, Union of BC Indian Chiefs’ Jim
Abram, President, Union of BC Municipalities; Honourable Ian Waddell,
Ministry of Environment, Lands and Parks.