The Value We Bring Annual Report April 1, 2005 to March 31, 2006 Directors Here are the Fraser Basin Council Directors, as of March 31, 2006: Patrick Reid Alan Osborne Completed Terms of Service Chair, Fraser Basin Council, Vancouver Executive Director, Intergovernmental Relations and Planning Division, Ministry of Community, Aboriginal Thanks to the following directors who Deborah Abbott and Women’s Services, Victoria completed service in 2005 -2006: Executive Director, Nlaka’pamux Nation Tribal Council, Lytton Robert Patterson Betty Abbs Mine Superintendent, Gibraltar Mines Ltd, Director, Regional District of Fraser-Fort George, 150 Mile House David Barratt Prince George Former Regional Director, Harbours & Ports, Transport Ardath Paxton-Mann Canada, Mission Sharolise Baker Assistant Deputy Minister, Western Economic Fisheries Program Manager, Carrier Sekani Tribal Diversification Canada, Vancouver Nate Bello Council, Prince George Director, Cariboo Regional District, Quesnel Bob Peart President, The Nexus Learning Group, Sidney Tom Coombes Marty Bootsma Director, Columbia Shuswap Regional District, Director, Columbia Shuswap Regional District, Jerry Petersen Anglemont Salmon Arm Director, Regional District of Bulkley Nechako, Vanderhoof Caroline Grover Ervin Charleyboy Economic Development Officer, Economic Chair, Tsilhqot’in National Government, Williams Lake Terry Raymond Development Corporation, Salmon Arm Director, Fraser Valley Regional District, Boston Bar Linda Coady Ronald Hawkins Vice President, Sustainability, VANOC - 2010 Olympic Perry Redan Retired Forest District Manager, McBride & Paralympic Winter Games, Vancouver Chief, Sekw’el’as Band, Cayoose Creek Stl’atl’imx, Lillooet Dave Hendrixson Randal Cripps Director, Cariboo Regional District, Wells Regional Director, Corporate Branch - Pacific/Yukon George Saddleman Region, Environment Canada, Vancouver Representative, Okanagan Nation Alliance Hugh O’Reilly Director, Squamish-Lillooet Regional District, Whistler Leah George-Wilson Bruce Sampson Chief, Tsleil-Waututh Nation, North Vancouver Senior Vice-President, Strategic Planning and Joe Post Sustainability, BC Hydro, Vancouver Director, Thompson-Nicola Regional District, Merritt Sheilagh Foster Artist, McBride Marcel Shephert Sylvia Pranger Executive Director, Fraser River Aboriginal Director, Fraser Valley Regional District, Kent Judy Guichon Fisheries Secretariat Rancher, Gerard Guichon Ranch Limited, Quilchena Barbara Sharp Bob Smillie Director, Greater Vancouver Regional District, Retired Physician, Kamloops Duncan Jeffries North Vancouver Director, Career & Business Development, University Coro Strandberg College of the Fraser Valley, Abbotsford Principal, Strandberg Consulting, Burnaby Special Acknowledgement Eddy Jules Tracy Summerville Roy Mussell (Chief of the Skwah First Nation, Chief, Skeetchestn Indian Band, Kamloops Assistant Professor, Political Science Program, Chilliwack) was Vice-Chair of the FBC and a founding University of Northern BC, Prince George director who had served the Council nine years at the Colin Kinsley time of his passing in March, 2006. Chair, Fraser-Fort George Regional District, Prince Chris Trumpy George Deputy Minister, Ministry of Environment, Victoria Peter Ladner David Van Seters Director, Greater Vancouver Regional District, President, Small Potatoes Urban Delivery, Vancouver Vancouver Jim Wild Ken Melamed Area Director, Lower Fraser River Area, Fisheries and Director, Squamish-Lillooet Regional District, Whistler Oceans Canada, Delta Peter Milobar Bill Young Director, Thompson-Nicola Regional District, Consultant, Bill Young Forest Management Inc., Kamloops 150 Mile House Michael O’Brien Vice President, Vancouver International Airport Authority, Vancouver Social well-being supported by a vibrant economy and sustained by a healthy environment. Table of Contents 2 Message from the Chair 4 The Fraser Basin Council in Brief 5 Sharing a Charter for Sustainability 6 The Fraser Basin Council—Bringing Value That Lasts 8 Across the Basin 8 Caring for the Fraser and its Future 11 Air Quality, Energy and Climate 13 Invasive Plants 14 Strengthening Communities 15 Celebrations 16 In the Regions 16 Greater Vancouver-Sea to Sky 18 Fraser Valley 20 Thompson 22 Cariboo-Chilcotin 24 Upper Fraser 26 In Memory 27 Financial Statements of the Fraser Basin Council Society 28 Auditors’ Report to Members 29 Statements of Financial Position 30 Statements of Operations 31 Statements of Changes in Net Assets 32 Statements of Cash Flows 33 Notes to Financial Statements To access the report online, please visit www.fraserbasin.bc.ca © Copyright 2006 Fraser Basin Council The Fraser Basin Council Annual Report 2005/2006 Message from the Chair At the Fraser Basin Council, we sometimes say that we are “one of BC’s best kept secrets.” At the Fraser Basin Council, we sometimes say that we are “one of BC’s best kept secrets.” I, for one, am happy to help let that secret out. The Fraser Basin Council has an important story to tell, and what is fundamental is that the Council rarely takes a starring role in that story—some of its best, most dramatic work comes in arranging centre stage for others. The Fraser Basin Council has a stellar reputation as a trusted, independent, non- profit organization dedicated to sustainability. That reputation has been built one relationship at a time, as the Council works together with government, the private sector, community organizations and citizens to make the Fraser Basin a better place. The Council promotes all aspects of sustainability—social, economic and environmental—and works on projects as diverse as integrated flood risk management, rural partnerships and sustainable urban design. The touchstone for the Council is its Charter for Sustainability, which sets a framework for collaboration, long-term thinking and principles of sustainability. Sustainability is a practical concern. After all, what most people want for themselves, their children and their grandchildren is a good quality of life, strong economic opportunities and a healthy environment. Meeting all those aspirations in a balanced way is the challenge. Government, the private sector and civil society already entrust to the Fraser Basin Council many critical research studies, educational programs and collaborative initiatives on sustainability. Because it is recognized as an impartial, non-partisan organization focused on collaboration, the Council is ideally placed to help other agencies resolve concerns and coordinate responsibilities on some of today’s toughest issues. If ever there was a time for shared leadership on sustainability, the time is now. In March, 2006 the first Canadian public opinion survey on sustainability was released. This was part of a larger public research project sponsored in part by the Council. The survey results offer hope. Canadians do care greatly about sustainability, and they are willing to see changes. But as individuals they feel isolated—labouring under the mistaken belief that their neighbours do not share the same concerns. 2 The Fraser Basin Council Annual Report 2005/2006 These thoughts also call up memories of a close collaboration with our Vice- Chair, Chief Roy Mussell, who passed away—far too young—earlier this year. I miss him greatly, as do so many others. It is a rare privilege to know someone as extraordinary, as talented and as wise as Roy. He was a true leader of people, and a friend to each of them. Everyone in positions of leadership must collaborate to prove that collective efforts do make a difference. The Council can help. We offer experience and expertise, inspiration and sensitivity to others throughout the Fraser Basin, and indeed beyond. I would like to thank all the directors with whom I have had the pleasure to work over my three years as Chair. I leave this organization in good hands, those of its new Chair, Dr. Charles Jago and his colleagues on Council, and with our outstanding Executive Director David Marshall and his superb staff. These thoughts also call up memories of a close collaboration with our Vice- Chair, Chief Roy Mussell, who passed away—far too young—earlier this year. I miss him greatly, as do so many others. It is a rare privilege to know someone as extraordinary, as talented and as wise as Roy. He was a true leader of people, and a friend to each of them. Roy Mussell was also one of the creators of the Fraser Basin Council, and the Council will always reflect that creativity. The Council does a great deal, every day, both in leadership and in service to others. It’s a best-kept secret that deserves to be a secret no longer. For more on Roy Mussell, please see “In Memory” on page 26. Patrick Reid, OC Chair, Fraser Basin Council The Fraser Basin Council Annual Report 2005/2006 The Fraser Basin Council in Brief BC’s Fraser Basin From its source at Mount Robson in the Rockies, the mighty Fraser River travels almost 1,400 km to meet the Pacific Ocean at the Strait of Georgia. It is British Columbia’s longest river and, together with its many tributaries, drains a quarter of the province. This is the Fraser River Basin, a land of spectacular The Fraser River Basin is a beauty, diversity and opportunity. special place. Keeping it that way For thousands of years, the Basin has been home to many aboriginal peoples including the Halquameelem, Hun Qui Min demands that people share in the Um, Nlaka’pamux, Secwepemc, Stl’atl’imx, Tsilhqot’in, Carrier and Okanagan-speaking Nations. Aboriginal peoples are an responsibility for its