The Átl’ḵa7tsem Governance Advisory Committee (GAC) is comprised of technical staff from First Nations, municipalities and regional organizations. The Átl’ḵa7tsem/Howe Sound Marine Stewardship Initiative (MSI) serves as coordinator and facilitator of this committee. 

The GAC was formed to create space for inter-governmental dialogue as it relates to coastal and marine spatial planning (MSP). The first meeting took place in April 2022. During that meeting, the committee refined its focus to:

• • • Provide a space for conversation and information sharing (not decision-making) related to MSP efforts within Átl’ka7tsem/Howe Sound
    • Foster relationship-building and coordination of initiatives across different governments and organizations to further MSP efforts
    • Support connecting data and decision-support tools (ex. the Marine Reference Guide) to relevant users and needs

Currently, the GAC is coming together in lunchtime virtual sessions to hear from guest speakers about:

• • • MSP in general and marine jurisdictional complexity in BC
    • Provincial and federal legislation, policies and programs that relate to MSP
    • Indigenous laws, policies and programs that relate to MSP (including IPCAs)

We will be sharing full versions of these presentations with members of the GAC. Public versions of presentations are available below: