Whereas accurate understanding and management of British Columbias natural resources are essential for informed decision-making; And whereas there is a need for an updated and objective data on natural resources such as aquifers, lakes, rivers, streams and timber, for various aspects of the Provinces natural resource management and for sustainable development and environmental stewardship: Therefore be it resolved that UBCM requests the Province of BC allocate funding to ensure that objective data on natural resources is easily accessible by all stakeholders, ensuring transparency, inclusivity, and ongoing maintenance.
Ministry of Water, Land and Resource Stewardship Ministry of Environment and Parks The Province of British Columbia is committed to improving decision-making, increasing transparency, and ensuring equitable access to government data. Central to this is the Open Information and Open Data Policy, which promotes consistent, non-discriminatory access to data across all Ministries. This policy encourages public use, adaptation, and redistribution of government data to foster transparency, innovation, and public engagement. To support this, the Province has made significant investments in the collection and maintenance of high- quality, objective dataespecially in the natural resource sector. Programs such as the Together for Wildlife Strategy, Caribou Recovery Program, and Climate Action Plan reflect a multi-million-dollar commitment to building robust data infrastructure. In 2023, the government also committed to acquiring and publishing lidar data across all of B.C. within six years, with enhanced mapping products made available under the Open Government License OGL as they are developed. The Geospatial Strategy, adopted in 2021, furthers these efforts by reducing barriers to access and encouraging the open sharing of foundational spatial data. Hundreds of datasets are available through the British Columbia Data Catalogue and BC Government Warehouse, though some data remain restricted due to privacy, ownership, or protection concerns. Clear policies are in place to ensure sensitive data is managed responsibly. In particular, the Ministry of Environment and Parks ENV mandate includes setting environmental data standards and overseeing the collection, storage, and analysis of environmental information. ENV ensures data quality through regulations, training, and Quality Assurance programs, while also leading extensive environmental monitoring networks in partnership with other governments and agenciesincluding Indigenous governments. These networks collect data on groundwater, surface water, air quality, snow, and climate. Through platforms such as the BC Environmental Monitoring System, the Real-Time Water Data Tool, and Environmental Reporting BC, ENV makes this information publicly accessible, helping to support climate adaptation, environmental stewardship, and evidence-based decision-making.