University of Victoria
EN-14: Participation in Public Policy

In 2020, as a representative of the University of Victoria, the Office of Campus Planning and Sustainability (OCPS) participated in the development of the District of Saanich Housing Strategy. The purpose of the Strategy was to improve housing opportunities and address the urgent need for housing affordability, diversity, and supply within the District. The OCPS provided input on the development of new student housing including feedback related to challenges such as municipal zoning and project financing.

District of Saanich Housing Strategy: https://www.saanich.ca/EN/main/community/community-planning/housing-division/housing-strategy-study.html

In 2022/23, as a representative of the University of Victoria, the Office of Campus Planning and Sustainability participated in the shaping and development of the District of Saanich’s Strategic Official Community Plan (OCP) Update. The Strategy OCP Update was to provide updated policies in key areas to support sustainable housing growth and active transportation. The OCPS participated in the planning process via in-person focus groups and online meetings with both developers and local non-profit institutions to share feedback to support new housing and commercial retail opportunities within walking distance of the campus as well as improvements in active transportation routes to and from the campus.

District of Saanich Strategy OCP Update: https://www.saanich.ca/EN/main/community/community-planning/official-community-plan-ocp/strategic-ocp-update.html

In 2023, as a representative of the University of Victoria, the Director of Campus Planning and Sustainability advocated (via written letter) for the District of Oak Bay to prohibit parking with marked bicycle lanes on Henderson Road. Henderson Road is a critical active transportation connector from the university campus to the District of Oak Bay and City of Victoria.

See Letter to Council: https://oakbay.civicweb.net/document/94219/Correspondence%20-%202023-02-13.pdf?handle=598957AB64A548BB90A774BCE677815A

The University of Victoria (UVic) actively participates in provincial public policy pertaining to sustainability in British Columbia through various initiatives and collaborations:

1. **BC Climate Preparedness and Adaptation Strategy (2022-2025)**: UVic is a key partner in the BC Climate Preparedness and Adaptation Strategy. They collaborate with the BC Ministry of Environment to ensure the availability and accessibility of climate data and modeling services. This partnership is highlighted in the strategy, emphasizing proactive investment in climate resilience (CPAS, p. 23). UVic's involvement is also noted in the supplementary resources related to the plan, alongside its data products (CPAS, supplemental website).

2. **PCIC Corporate Report (2021/22)**: UVic's Pacific Climate Impacts Consortium (PCIC) plays a significant role in collaborating with various provincial entities. They work closely with the BC Ministry of Forests to develop high-resolution climatic datasets, enhancing the understanding of climatic extremes (PCIC Corporate Report, p. 26). UVic also collaborates with BC Hydro to support utility planning by providing hydrologic projections for watersheds managed by BC Hydro, including an analysis of streamflow and extremes (PCIC Corporate Report, p. 28). Additionally, UVic partners with the BC Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure to provide tools and projected future streamflow data for highway engineering in a changing climate (PCIC Corporate Report, p. 32). Their collaboration with the Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) and the BC Government aims to develop exposure indicators and a risk-assessment tool for managing salmon habitats (PCIC Corporate Report, p. 34).

3. **POLIS**: UVic's engagement extends beyond its own initiatives. They collaborate with POLIS, an organization working on watershed security, restoration, and disaster mitigation/preparation. POLIS collaborates with NGOs, Indigenous governments, and other stakeholders in their efforts to address water-related sustainability issues in the province. UVic's involvement in POLIS is evidenced by their support and participation in initiatives such as the submission on the Provincial Watershed Security Strategy and Fund Intentions Paper (POLIS submission, 2023) and the provision of resources to guide individuals and groups in making submissions to the provincial process (POLIS resource).

Overall, UVic's active participation in these provincial initiatives and collaborations underscores their commitment to sustainability and their role in providing valuable expertise and data-driven solutions to address climate-related challenges and promote environmental resilience in British Columbia.

The University of Victoria (UVic) actively participates in national public policy pertaining to sustainability through various initiatives, collaborations, and submissions:

1. **Collaboration with Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC)**: UVic's Pacific Climate Impacts Consortium (PCIC) collaborates with ECCC and the World Weather Attribution Initiative to better understand extreme weather events in British Columbia. This partnership aims to provide valuable information to help planners understand the causes of these events and prepare for the future (PCIC Corporate Report, p. 9).

2. **Downscaling and Implementation of Climate Projections**: UVic's PCIC also works with Environment and Climate Change Canada to downscale and implement CMIP6 (Coupled Model Intercomparison Project Phase 6) projections into their portal. This effort ensures that users have access to the most current climate projections to inform impact assessments and decision-making (PCIC Corporate Report, p. 15).

3. **Partnership with Canadian Centre for Climate Services**: UVic's PCIC highlights a partnership with the Canadian Centre for Climate Services. In this collaboration, they contribute resources to assist decision-makers in incorporating climate change considerations into their processes (PCIC Corporate Report, p. 20).

4. **Floodplain Mapping and Prediction**: UVic's PCIC partners with ECCC to improve floodplain mapping and prediction by providing innovative downscaling techniques and high-quality calibration data (PCIC Corporate Report, p. 21).

5. **City of Calgary Collaboration**: UVic's PCIC collaborates with the City of Calgary to provide future-adjusted weather files and climate data review. This support aids the city in energy modeling and built environment planning and policy development (PCIC Corporate Report, p. 22).

6. **Maintenance of Data Archive**: UVic's PCIC, along with multiple partners, including regional, provincial, federal governments, industry, and Crown corporations, is involved in maintaining, augmenting, and curating a valuable, multi-source station data archive accessible via a single online portal. This effort facilitates data access for various stakeholders (PCIC Corporate Report, p. 40).

7. **NRC/ECCC Collaboration**: UVic's PCIC collaborates with the National Research Council (NRC) and ECCC to provide infrastructure professionals with information about how climate-related design values may change in the future (PCIC Corporate Report, p. 45).

8. **Federal Pre-Budget Submissions**: UVic makes yearly submissions to the Federal House of Commons Pre-Budget Consultations. These submissions cover a wide range of topics, including Indigenous languages and law, funding for transitioning communities from diesel-powered electricity systems, reconciliation, economic development, post-secondary partnerships addressing climate change, and the transition to a net-zero future (Federal submissions for 2021, 2022, and 2023).

9. **Testimonies before Parliamentary Committees**: UVic's researchers testify before the House of Commons Committee on Environment and Sustainable Development for the study on Clean Technologies in Canada. They provide expertise and insights, contributing to the drafting of a comprehensive report on clean technologies and sustainability (Testimonies by Madeleine McPherson, Kate Moran, and Christine Hoicka).

UVic's active engagement in these national initiatives and collaborations demonstrates its commitment to addressing sustainability issues on a broader scale, influencing national policies, and contributing valuable expertise to shape Canada's approach to climate change and environmental sustainability.

The University of Victoria (UVic) is actively engaged in international public policy pertaining to sustainability through various programs, research initiatives, and collaborations:

1. **South Korean Public Policy Research Program**: Since 2021, UVic's Centre for Asia-Pacific Initiatives (CAPI) hosts South Korean researchers sponsored by their government to conduct research on various policy issues in a comparative context. This program fosters international collaboration and knowledge exchange on policy matters, which can have implications for sustainability (CAPI South Korean Public Policy Research Program).

2. **Environmental Law Centre - Canada/US Transboundary Agreements in the Elk Valley**: UVic's Environmental Law Centre is involved in addressing coal mine pollution in the Elk Valley. This issue involves international dimensions, as it impacts the environment across the Canada-US border. UVic's efforts include seeking an inquiry into Canada's failure to control coal mine pollution, involving the International Joint Commission in mid-May 2022, and garnering support from both the Canadian and US governments. The resolution of this issue contributes to cross-border sustainability efforts (Environmental Law Centre Annual Report, P. 10).

3. **Centre for Global Studies - Borders in Globalization**: UVic's Centre for Global Studies hosts the Borders in Globalization project, which is partially funded by the European Union. This initiative brings together scholars, students, and policy makers to understand the effects of technologies, self-determination, and regionalization on borders and borderlands worldwide. This project involves international collaboration and contributes to policy discussions on globalization and sustainability (Borders in Globalization).

4. **Centre for Global Studies - UNESCO Chair Program**: UVic's Centre for Global Studies has two UNESCO Chairs, administered through an agreement with UNESCO. These chairs, focusing on community-based research, social responsibility in higher education, and early childhood education, involve international collaboration with counterparts in other nations. They work on global education and sustainability-related issues, promoting international policy alignment (UNESCO Chair Program).

5. **School of Business - Gustavson Research Circle**: UVic's School of Business, through the Gustavson Research Circle, encourages reciprocal intellectual engagement with elite business schools worldwide. While the focus is on business research, international collaboration can lead to the development of sustainable business practices and policies with global relevance (Gustavson Research Circle).

6. **Ralph Evins, ReBuild Initiative**: UVic's ReBuild Initiative partners with various organizations and academic institutions, including American partners, the Pacific Northwest Economic Region (PNWER), and academic partners from Ireland and Singapore. PNWER is a US-Canada organization dedicated to addressing common issues, including environmental concerns and global competitiveness. The international partnerships involved in ReBuild contribute to sustainability efforts, particularly in energy efficiency and environmental preservation (UVic ReBuild Initiative).

POLIS Submission on Provincial Watershed Security Strategy and Fund Intentions Paper: https://poliswaterproject.org/polis-research-publication/polis-submission-wssf-apr-2023/

PCIC Corporate Report – 2021/22: https://www.pacificclimate.org/sites/default/files/publications/2021-2022_Corporate_Report-Final.pdf

The BC Climate Preparedness and Adaptation Strategy – 2022-2025: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/assets/gov/environment/climate-change/adaptation/cpas.pdf

South Korean Public Policy Research Program - https://www.uvic.ca/research/centres/capi/research/home/projects/international-research-programs/korean-researchers/index.php

Environmental Law Centre – Canada/US Transboundary Agreements in the Elk Valley (P. 10): https://elc.uvic.ca/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/2022-23-Annual-Report-FINAL.pdf

Borders in Globalization - https://www.uvic.ca/research/centres/globalstudies/projects/core-projects/borders/index.php

UNESCO Chair Program - https://www.uvic.ca/research/centres/globalstudies/unesco-chairs/index.php

Gustavson Research Circle - https://www.uvic.ca/gustavson/research/research/research-circle/index.php