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May 25, 2017

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In order to better understand youth perspectives on regional environmental, community and health values, CIRC led an arts-based mapping activity with grade 8 students from School District 91 (SD91) in May 2017. The overall goal of this workshop was to learn about the kinds of environment, community and health values that are important to youth living in SD91 in relation to resource development. While youth will be deeply impacted by the land use and resource management decisions we make today, their perspectives are typically under-represented in land use decision making processes. In addition, this workshop introduced the concept of cumulative impacts and began an ongoing conversation with youth participants about the positive and negative impacts of resource development. For more information and to read a summary of the workshop, click on the workshop report link below:

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Identifying Youth Place-Based Values in School District 91

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In order to better understand youth perspectives on regional environmental, community and health values, CIRC led an arts-based mapping activity with grade 8 students from School District 91 (SD91) in May 2017. The overall goal of this workshop was to learn about the kinds of environment, community and health values that are important to youth living in SD91 in relation to resource development.

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Hosted by UNBC
September 28, 2018

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January 2021?

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Sally Western
Sept 25, 2020

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November 4, 2019

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Hosted by FNHA
April 24, 2018

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Hosted by UNBC
May 21, 2019

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“Animals, Health and Society – reframing the historic narrative of people, animals and nature as risks to each other, to one where we think about health as a shared capacity”. Webalogue. 

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“Animals, Health and Society – reframing the historic narrative of people, animals and nature as risks to each other, to one where we think about health as a shared capacity”. Webalogue. 

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November 18, 2020

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VIUTube - Video Portal from Vancouver Island University

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This session explored the situations wherein we can all, regardless of our job description, work across species, sectors and generations to motivate action by discussing the upcoming book Animals, Health and Society: Health Promotion, Harm Reduction and Health Equity in a One Health World. A panel of the books publisher, editor and some authors provided their perspectives on why this book is timely and needed in a time of pandemics, climate change and mass extinction. The discussion will focused on finding perspectives and methods from a variety of fields and experts that could be shared and adapted to promote collaborative understanding of and action on determinants of health at the animal-society interface.

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This session explored the situations wherein we can all, regardless of our job description, work across species, sectors and generations to motivate action by discussing the upcoming book Animals, Health and Society: Health Promotion, Harm Reduction and Health Equity in a One Health World.

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“Fostering an eco-social future for Public Health: EDGE, ECHO and next generation intersectoral action for health”. Canadian Public Health Association, Public Health 2020. Margot Parkes and Sandra Allison (workshop facilitators);  Raina Fumerton, Sally Western, Chris Buse, Dawn Hoogeveen, Maya Gislason, Sarah Skinner (workshop speakers).

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“Fostering an eco-social future for Public Health: EDGE, ECHO and next generation intersectoral action for health”. Canadian Public Health Association, Public Health 2020. Margot Parkes and Sandra Allison (workshop facilitators);  Raina Fumerton, Sally Western, Chris Buse, Dawn Hoogeveen, Maya Gislason, Sarah Skinner (workshop speakers).

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October 15, 2020

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Fostering an eco-social future for public health

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Gender Based Analysis Plus - SSHRC-IAAC Virtual Forum on Informing Best Practices in Environmental and Impact Assessments. 

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Gender Based Analysis Plus - SSHRC-IAAC Virtual Forum on Informing Best Practices in Environmental and Impact Assessments. 

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Dawn Hoogeveen and Sally Western
September 16, 2020

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”ECHO-Screen Workshop”. 2020 ECHO Network Annual Meeting. 

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”ECHO-Screen Workshop”. 2020 ECHO Network Annual Meeting. 

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Chris Buse, Aita Bezzola, Hara Saadia, Jordan Brucher, Nick Yarmey
June 11, 2020

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”Virtual Tour and Place-Based Context Setting”. 2020 ECHO Network Annual Meeting. 

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”Virtual Tour and Place-Based Context Setting”. 2020 ECHO Network Annual Meeting. 

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Sandra Harris
June 10, 2020

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”ECHO-Screen Show and Tell”. Aita Bezzola, Jordan Brubacher, Hara Saadia, Nick Yarmey 

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”ECHO-Screen Show and Tell”. Aita Bezzola, Jordan Brubacher, Hara Saadia, Nick Yarmey 

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May 29, 2020

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2020-05-29_Echo-Screen Show and Tell_slide deck

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“On the Cusp of Planetary Health: Adopting Watershed as a Conceptual Framework for the Study of SDGs’ Interactions and Health Outcomes”. 

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“On the Cusp of Planetary Health: Adopting Watershed as a Conceptual Framework for the Study of SDGs’ Interactions and Health Outcomes”. 

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UNBC Research Week.  Christiana Onabola and Margot Parkes
March 5, 2020

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“The Nechako Watershed Portal: An Integrative, Geospatial Tool to Bridge Governance, Knowledge Exchange, and Information-sharing Needs, and Foster Co-benefits for Health, Ecosystems and Equity”. 

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“The Nechako Watershed Portal: An Integrative, Geospatial Tool to Bridge Governance, Knowledge Exchange, and Information-sharing Needs, and Foster Co-benefits for Health, Ecosystems and Equity”. 

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UNBC Research Week.  Margot Parkes, Scott Emmons, Ella Parker
March 3, 2020

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“Why Would They Care?’: Youth, Resource Extraction, and Climate Change in Northern British Columbia, Canada”. UNBC Global Friday. Prince George, BC & online.  Vanessa Sloan Morgan 

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“Why Would They Care?’: Youth, Resource Extraction, and Climate Change in Northern British Columbia, Canada”. UNBC Global Friday. Prince George, BC & online.  Vanessa Sloan Morgan 

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January 31, 2020

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November 2019

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“Youth and Watersheds: Connecting Land, Water and Health for our Shared Future”. Billie-Jo Pomare, Ella Parker, & Jordan Cranmer (Presenters). Stefan Iwasawa and Margot Parkes (Moderators). webalogue

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“Youth and Watersheds: Connecting Land, Water and Health for our Shared Future”. Billie-Jo Pomare, Ella Parker, & Jordan Cranmer (Presenters). Stefan Iwasawa and Margot Parkes (Moderators). webalogue

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October 16, 2019

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VIUTube - Video Portal from Vancouver Island University

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Oct 16, 2019. 'Te toto o te tangata, he kai; te oranga o te tangata, he whenua'

(While food provides the blood in our veins, our health is drawn from the land).

This session will profile the work of Billie Pomare, Jordan Cranmer, and Ella Parker who have been been each exploring youth engagement watershed work from opposite sides of the Pacific Ocean. Through three rounds of questioning the panel will have the opportunity to showcase the communities and projects that they have been a part of, as well as delve into specific mechanisms enabling youth engagement & action projects to succeed, from their experiences.

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Youth and Watersheds: Connecting Land, Water and Health for our Shared Future

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Oct 16, 2019. 'Te toto o te tangata, he kai; te oranga o te tangata, he whenua'(While food provides the blood in our veins, our health is drawn from the land).This session will profile the work of Billie Pomare, Jordan Cranmer, and Ella Parker who have been been each exploring youth engagement watershed work from opposite sides of the Pacific Ocean.

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“ECHO Network: Learning & Impact Activities”. 2019 ECHO Annual Meeting. 

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“ECHO Network: Learning & Impact Activities”. 2019 ECHO Annual Meeting. 

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Tanis Hampe, Diana Kutzner, Sally Maguet, Margot Parkes, Henry Harder, Céline Surette, Donald Cole, Rachael Trotman, Louisa Hadley, Alex MacDonald (2019) Moncton, NB
May 28, 2019

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“Cumulative health impacts of resource development: Integrated impact assessment methodologies to promote intersectoral action.” 

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“Cumulative health impacts of resource development: Integrated impact assessment methodologies to promote intersectoral action.” 

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Intersectoral Action on Public Health Event (led by New Brunswick Environmental Network). Chris Buse, Moncton, NB.  May 27, 2019

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“Resource Development Impacts on Health: A summary of impacts and promising practices for assessment and monitoring.” 

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“Resource Development Impacts on Health: A summary of impacts and promising practices for assessment and monitoring.” 

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Health Officer’s Council- Barb Oke. Victoria, BC.
April 2, 2019

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"Tipping the Balance: Cumulative Impacts on Children's Health". 

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"Tipping the Balance: Cumulative Impacts on Children's Health". 

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New Brunswick Children’s Environmental Health Collaborative Conference. New Maryland, NB
February 6, 2019

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December 2018

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Interactive Session: "Forests, Communities and Health” Annual Spruce Beetle Summit. Prince George, BC-Margot Parkes and Barb Oke

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Interactive Session: "Forests, Communities and Health” Annual Spruce Beetle Summit. Prince George, BC-Margot Parkes and Barb Oke

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December 6, 2018

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“Réseau ECHO Network.” CIHR Mid-term Meeting- Sandra Allison and Margot Parkes

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“Réseau ECHO Network.” CIHR Mid-term Meeting- Sandra Allison and Margot Parkes

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November 29-30, 2018

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Environments and Health Signature Initiative (EHSI): Mid-Term Meeting 

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Environments and Health Signature Initiative (EHSI): Mid-Term Meeting 

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November 29-30, 2018

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"Northern Health and Agrology; where are the overlaps?"  BC Institute of Agrology’s Cariboo Central Interior Branch AGM- Barb Oke

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"Northern Health and Agrology; where are the overlaps?"  BC Institute of Agrology’s Cariboo Central Interior Branch AGM- Barb Oke

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October 20, 2018

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The ECHO Network: Update on Regional Case Activity webalogue

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The ECHO Network: Update on Regional Case Activity webalogue

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October 17, 2018

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VIUTube - Video Portal from Vancouver Island University

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October 17, 2018. This webalogue will provide an overview of the ECHO Network's four regional cases spread across Canada. The ECHO Network is a 5-year research program, funded by a Canadian Institutes of Health Research Team Grant, focused on working together across sectors to take notice of- and respond to- the influence of resource development on health and well-being, with specific emphasis on rural, remote and Indigenous communities and environments. The project brings together university researchers and local knowledge-users who have identified a need to better understand and respond to the health, environment and community impacts of resource development. Representatives from each case will provide a glimpse into how they are responding to the influence of resource development on health and well-being in their respective contexts.

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The ECHO Network: Update on regional case activity

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October 17, 2018. This webalogue will provide an overview of the ECHO Network's four regional cases spread across Canada. The ECHO Network is a 5-year research program, funded by a Canadian Institutes of Health Research Team Grant, focused on working together across sectors to take notice of- and respond to- the influence of resource development on health and well-being, with specific emphasis on rural, remote and Indigenous communities and environments.

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September 2018

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July 30, 2018

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Health Impacts of Resource Development: Learning and sharing best practices for intersectoral action in northern British Columbia

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Health Impacts of Resource Development: Learning and sharing best practices for intersectoral action in northern British Columbia

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July 29, 2018

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“Réseau ECHO Network” Annual Meeting of the Planetary Health Alliance. Edinburgh, Scotland.  Sandra Allison and Margot Parkes 

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“Réseau ECHO Network” Annual Meeting of the Planetary Health Alliance. Edinburgh, Scotland.  Sandra Allison and Margot Parkes 

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May 29, 2018

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April 2018

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“Indigenous Health and Research" webalogue with Drs. Henry Harder and Travis Holyk

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“Indigenous Health and Research" webalogue with Drs. Henry Harder and Travis Holyk

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February 21, 2018

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VIUTube - Video Portal from Vancouver Island University

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Feb 21, 2018. In this Webalogue Dr. Travis Holyk will explore the topic of hot button issues in his communities and the community view of research. This will be followed up by Dr. Henry Harder a registered psychologist who has been in the field of mental health, rehabilitation and disability management for over 30 years. Dr. harder will be addressing the topics of research and mental wellness as it pertains to indigenous health.

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Feb 21, 2018. In this Webalogue Dr. Travis Holyk will explore the topic of hot button issues in his communities and the community view of research. This will be followed up by Dr. Henry Harder a registered psychologist who has been in the field of mental health, rehabilitation and disability management for over 30 years.

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Towards a better understanding of health in relation to mining and oil & gas extraction: A scoping review

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Towards a better understanding of health in relation to mining and oil & gas extraction: A scoping review

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2017

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Health Impacts of Resource Extraction and Development (HIRED) Knowledge Synthesis Bibliography

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Health Impacts of Resource Extraction and Development (HIRED) Knowledge Synthesis Bibliography

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December 2017

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Hosted by UNBC
December 6, 2017

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Hosted by NH
September 25, 2017

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Wildfires and ecosocial determinants of health: reflections on experience in the NWT and BC webalogue

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Wildfires and ecosocial determinants of health: reflections on experience in the NWT and BC webalogue

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September 20, 2017

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VIUTube - Video Portal from Vancouver Island University

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CoPEH-Can Sep 20, 2017 Webalogue
This webalogue will explore the complex implications of wildfires for the ecosocial determinants of health, exemplified by experiences of recent wildfire events in the NWT and BC. Consideration of wildfire impacts on public health will be explored in relation to environment, social and cultural impacts, with consideration of impacts on communities, wildfire and ecosystems. The session will commence with a presentation by Courtney Howard and Warren Dodd, entitled "Summer of Smoke: A mixed-methods, community-based study investigating the health effects of a prolonged, sever wildfire season on a subarctic population" and will be followed by a panel discussion with members of the Northern Health team involved in the Public Health response to Wildfire Events in BC (Raina Fumerton, Medical Health Officer, Northern Health). Discussion will explore wildfires as an expression of interrelated issues, including the overlay of climate change on other ecosocial determinants of health.

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Wildfires and ecosocial determinants of health: Reflections on the experience in the NWT and BC

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CoPEH-Can Sep 20, 2017 WebalogueThis webalogue will explore the complex implications of wildfires for the ecosocial determinants of health, exemplified by experiences of recent wildfire events in the NWT and BC.

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Knowledge and Research Exchange (KaRE) about Health and Resource Development in Northern BC - Meeting Series

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Knowledge and Research Exchange (KaRE) about Health and Resource Development in Northern BC - Meeting Series

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Hosted by FNHA
June 16, 2017

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Updates to Standard Comments Document Cross-ECHO workshop

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Updates to Standard Comments Document Cross-ECHO workshop

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June 2020

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2020-06-25 ECHO SC Doc Workshop-Slides_WE

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Updates on KT, Integrative Indicators and a BC pilot of the CalEnviroScreen -Dec 2019

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NCCEH webinar "Paradox of wealth and health: Resource development and social determinants of health"

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NCCEH webinar "Paradox of wealth and health: Resource development and social determinants of health"

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Barb Oke & Melissa Aalhus
April 12, 2019

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It is well-established that our health is strongly influenced by a range of interacting environmental, social, cultural and economic factors, and it follows that the relationship between population health and natural resource industries is complex. In Canada, our economy is closely tied to resource extraction and development that provides employment, generates tax revenues and contributes to our economic well-being and social welfare at the national level. These ties are especially pronounced in resource-based communities, where the natural resource sector drives regional economic growth, supports the financial well-being of numerous individuals and families, and contributes funding for community programs and infrastructure. Take for example the northeastern corner of British Columbia, a resource rich area which serves as a major hub for oil and gas development, as well as mining and forestry. The region contributes to over 20% of the province's economy and communities in the area have some of the highest average incomes in the province. However, contrary to the relationship typically observed between economic well-being, income and health, local residents experience far poorer health outcomes than their southern counterparts - a life expectancy significantly below the provincial average and a disproportionate and inequitable burden of disease, illness, injury and mortality. Herein lies the paradox... a paradox that is not unique to northeastern BC but is experienced by many resource-rich areas across Canada and around the world.

The understanding and management of health impacts associated with resource development has traditionally focused on the impacts arising from biophysical exposures (e.g. changes to air quality, water quality, etc.). However, extensive research over the past three decades leaves little doubt that social factors are powerful determinants of health, there has been increased interest and concern about the social, cultural and economic impacts of resource extraction. A growing body of evidence indicates that these impacts (herein collectively referred to as "social" impacts) intersect to shape the health outcomes of individuals and communities in diverse ways. These effects are not spread uniformly across our population and the health of rural, remote and Indigenous communities is disproportionately adversely affected.

Some Personal Reflections on the Wealth/ Health Paradox

Having spent most of my life in Fort St. John (the main service centre for the northeastern region of BC), I have witnessed broad environmental and socio-economic changes brought about by resource development. In particular, it is the social impacts that have resonated with me the most: the stories I've heard of people living out of vehicles in the winter (as average rental prices during boom times have kept up with those in Vancouver); the times that pressures on the health care system have been so great that residents camp out for hours before the medical clinic opens just to get an appointment (and seniors who, familiar with the process, bring along lawn chairs); or the friends who are required to work for several months at a time in a remote camp and turn to drugs to cope. The place I know is different from the one my father grew up in: it is a place of both great wealth and poverty, a high rate of violent crime (in 2015 we had the 4th highest violent crime severity index in the country), and particular concerns about impacts to women and First Nations communities. I do not want to downplay the many clear benefits of industry (for example, income and financial security for individuals and families or our free indoor community walking track), or sell short the tremendous resilience and adaptability of the local people and workers. But it is notable that in spite of these benefits, their health lags behind the rest of the province, and their stories and the challenges they face deserve recognition.

Impacts to Social Determinants of Health

I started working with Northern Health's Office of Health and Resource Development (HRD Office) in 2015. Much of the HRD Office's work on social-related impacts has been to improve our understanding of the impacts and opportunities by partnering with researchers and gathering evidence. Part of that work is summarized in a report on impacts to social determinants of health. Interestingly, many of the impacts I have observed through my personal experiences in northeastern BC are reflected in the evidence from other resource communities across Canada and around the world. The evidence suggests that although resource development provides benefits and opportunities, cumulative adverse social impacts are occurring in rural and remote communities and negatively impacting community health, particularly for vulnerable populations. While leading practices are emerging for assessing, managing and monitoring these impacts, this work also highlighted critical gaps in the availability of evidence and resources required to respond to these impacts.

Putting Research into Practice

We have started putting these findings into practice through the work we do supporting major project approvals (such as the BC Environmental Assessment process) and other initiatives and policy decisions. Though this is not without its challenges, we have been able to find shared goals and practical solutions amongst partners that support healthy and sustainable development. These impacts are increasingly being recognized by decision-makers, industry and communities, but it is clear that much work and strong partnerships are required pull together the body of evidence, surveillance systems, support for communities and collective capacity necessary to better understand and respond to these impacts.

Communities whose local economies are closely tied to industry and who are continuously adapting to resource development related pressures, demographic changes and socio-economic fluctuations cannot manage these health impacts alone. Strong support from institutions tasked with conducting research and protecting our health and well-being is needed to advance progress in this area and address health inequities affecting rural, remote and Indigenous communities. By taking a balanced and partnership-based approach, we can minimize both the local and broader societal impacts (such as climate change), provide equitable opportunities and outcomes for all our citizens, and support a prosperous and healthy Canada into the future.

Learn More

Author Bio

Melissa Aalhus has experience working in a variety of research and public health capacities, and joined Northern Health's Office of Health and Resource Development in 2015. Since then, she has participated in numerous Environmental Assessment processes across industry sectors, contributed to reviews of policy and legislation, supported research, and co-authored several best practice guidelines. She was the lead author of a summary report prepared in collaboration with the BC Observatory for Population and Public Health on impacts of resource development to social determinants of health. Ms. Aalhus is also the Regional Coordinator for the northern BC branch of the Environment Community Health Observatory Network. She received her B.Sc. in Health Sciences from Simon Fraser University. As a fourth generation resident of Fort St. John, BC, a community hosting significant industrial development, she has a unique insight into the challenges a community faces in adapting to changes brought on by resource development.

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Paradox of wealth and health: Resource development and social determinants of health

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It is well-established that our health is strongly influenced by a range of interacting environmental, social, cultural and economic factors, and it follows that the relationship between population health and natural resource industries is complex.

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Indigenous Centre of Expertise for Cumulative Effects - interactions with NBC

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Indigenous Centre of Expertise for Cumulative Effects - interactions with NBC

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April 25, 2019
Feb 20-21, 2019

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Learn about how the centre will help to build the scientific and technical capacity for Indigenous communities to assess and manage cumulative effects on their lands and territories.

About the centre

The Government of Canada has invested $15.5 million over 5 years, starting in 2018-2019, to establish the Indigenous Centre of Expertise for Cumulative Effects Assessment and Management, in collaboration with Indigenous experts, practitioners and researchers specializing in cumulative effects science.

The Indigenous Centre of Expertise for Cumulative Effects Assessment and Management will help to build and enhance the scientific and technical capacity of Indigenous communities for cumulative effects assessment and management in their lands and territories. The centre is a co-developed initiative that will be housed outside of government and will facilitate the meaningful involvement of communities in the design, collection, monitoring and analysis of traditional and science-based activities in the context of cumulative effects assessment and management.

The centre is in its developmental phase and is anticipated to be established within the next 2 years.

What are cumulative effects?

The Canadian Council of Ministers on the Environment describes cumulative effects as a change in the environment caused by multiple interactions among human activities and natural processes over time. Cumulative effects can impact a broad array of resources and ecosystem components. Identifying and implementing measures to control, minimize or prevent the adverse consequences of cumulative effects will lead to sound and adaptive environmental management practices.

The goal of cumulative effects assessment and management is to preserve ecological integrity and sustain natural ecological processes for the benefit of future generations.

Contact us

For more information about the centre please contact us by email or standard mail:
aadnc.ceceam-ceegec.aandc@canada.ca
Environmental Directorate
Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada
10 rue Wellington
Gatineau QC K1A 0H4
Canada

Related links

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Indigenous Centre of Expertise for Cumulative Effects Assessment and Management

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Learn about how the centre will help to build the scientific and technical capacity for Indigenous communities to assess and manage cumulative effects on their lands and territories. The Government of Canada has invested $15.5 million over 5 years, starting in 2018-2019, to establish the Indigenous Centre of Expertise for Cumulative Effects Assessment and Management, in collaboration with Indigenous experts, practitioners and researchers specializing in cumulative effects science.

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Knowledge Translation and Resource Development - May 2019

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2019-04-30_ECHO Network Learning & Impact Workshop-Slides

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May, 2017 - Prince George & Vanderhoof, BC

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Cumulative Impacts Research Consortium (CIRC) Forum​

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Cumulative Impacts Research Consortium (CIRC) Forum​

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January 18-19, 2018

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On January 18-19, 2018, the UNBC Cumulative Impacts Research Consortium (CIRC), with support from the ECHO (Environment, Community, Health Observatory) Network and the Pacific Institute for Climate Solutions (PICS), convened a policy-oriented symposium addressing the future of resource communities in a shifting political landscape. Designed with an integrative approach in mind, this event provided an opportunity for learning and exchange around issues related to the myriad impacts of resource development and climate change throughout northern BC.

For more information about this event, feel free to download the event agenda and view the bios of all event presenters using the links below. You will also find video archives of the keynote presentation and all workshop sessions using the links below.

Day 1 - Thursday January 18, 2018

Megan Leslie, President & CEO of World Wildlife Fund Canada, gave a public keynote address titled "Cumulative Impacts to Wildlife and Habitat Conservation in an Era of Environmental Change". Her presentation can be viewed using the link below:

Day 2 - Friday January 19, 2018

Session 1: Cumulative effects frameworks for assessment, monitoring and management

Cumulative effects assessment attempts to reconcile possible environmental, community and health impacts of a proposed or existing project with an array of past, present and future land use activities. In light of a newly developed provincial policy framework, numerous groups are attempting to take stock of cumulative changes to environmental, social, economic, and cultural values resulting from the confluence of a variety of development projects. This panel explored perspectives from practitioners and policymakers designing and deploying assessment frameworks to inform a deeper understanding of the long-term positive and negative impacts of resource development activities on northern BC landscapes.

Matthew LeRoy, BC Ministry of Forests, Lands, Natural Resource Operations and Rural Development

Hannah Askew, West Coast Environmental Law

Don Morgan, BC Ministry of Environment and Climate Change Strategy

Alistair MacDonald, The Firelight Group, on behalf of Fort Nelson First Nation

Moderator: Mike Gillingham, UNBC
Session 2: Indigenous land use planning and cumulative impacts management

Across Turtle Island and around the world, Indigenous communities are actively planning to promote land and resource management. This panel presented some of the ways Indigenous communities and organizations are approaching land use planning and cumulative impacts management in a manner that accounts for impacts to treaty rights and Indigenous rights and title, and the inherent responsibilities of settlers and Canadian governments to support and respect these processes and their outcomes.
Moderator: Rheanna Robinson, UNBC

Agnes Pawlowska-Mainville, UNBC

Clayton Davis, Treaty 8 Cumulative Effects Framework Working Group

Sandra Martin Harris, Gitksan Government Commission

Chief Terry Teegee, Regional Chief, British Columbia Assembly of First Nations

Session 3: Watershed governance and cumulative impacts
Moderator: Terry Robert, Fraser Basin Council
The health of watersheds in northern BC and beyond is critical to the communities and the natural environment, including the plant and wildlife to which they supply freshwater. Critical challenges to the health of these watersheds range from local resource extraction impacts to global influences such as climate change. As such, watersheds are exemplar levels of analysis to understand the cumulative impacts of resource development. Momentum has been building among a growing number of collaborative initiatives and grassroots organizations which seek to engage in formal roles in watershed decision-making. This panel discussion explored BC trends in freshwater governance, including British Columbia's new Water Sustainability Act, which came into force in 2016. The Act outlines a process for designating responsibility for developing area-based water sustainability plans to local planning organizations.

Jennifer Vigano, BC Ministry of Environment and Climate Change Strategy

Reg Whiten, InterraPlan Inc.

Rosie Simms, The POLIS Project on Ecological Governance

Deborah Harford, Adaptation to Climate Change Team

Session 4: Session with youth delegation

Youth are the inheritors of the future. Recognizing the importance of including decision-makers of tomorrow in the decisions that are made today, a youth-tailored workshop occurred alongside the larger forum during the morning sessions. While hearing about research that is occurring across northern BC, this workshop focused on drawing connections between the environment, communities, and wellbeing. Youth delegates joined the larger symposium during Session 4. During this interactive session, the youth delegation posed several discussion questions to the broader group, prompting forum attendees to think through ways to make meaningful space for youth participation in ongoing work around the cumulative impacts of resource extraction, both now and in the future.

Session 5: Assessment of cumulative impacts on health and wellbeing
Moderators: Sandra Allison (Northern Health) and Margot Parkes (UNBC)
Health is a recognized pillar of environmental assessment regulations in British Columbia. However, health impacts of various development projects still focus largely on direct biophysical exposures. This session will explore the ways in which proponents, government agencies, communities and researchers are attempting to broaden the purview of the health impacts of resource development to include impacts on the social determinants of health and health service delivery.

Barb Oke, Northern Health

Chris Buse, UNBC

Sandra Martin Harris, Gitksan Government Commission

Henry Harder, UNBC

Session 6: Wildfire preparedness and cumulative impacts
Moderator: Al Wiensczyk, UNBC
The summer of 2017 was the worst wildfire season on record in the province of British Columbia. Wildfires have widespread impacts on the environment, communities, and health. This session explored climate change, conservation, planning, and provincial and regional responses to wildfires. Speakers discussed what they understand to be important steps in planning and protecting our landscapes and health, from the local to the global level.

Dominick DellaSala, GEOS Institute

Madeline Maley, BC Wildfire Service

Raina Fumerton, Northern Health

Sonja Leverkus, Shifting Mosaics Consulting/Northern Fire WoRx

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On January 18-19, 2018, the UNBC Cumulative Impacts Research Consortium (CIRC), with support from the ECHO (Environment, Community, Health Observatory) Network and the Pacific Institute for Climate Solutions (PICS), convened a policy-oriented symposium addressing the future of resource communities in a shifting political landscape.

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May 25, 2017

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VIUTube - Video Portal from Vancouver Island University

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This webalogue introduces the ECHO Network, a 5-year research program funded by a Canadian Institutes of Health Research Team Grant, focused on working together across sectors to take notice of - and respond to - the influences of resource development on health and well-being, with specific emphasis on rural, remote and Indigenous communities and environments. Launched in Prince George in early May, the project brings together university researchers and research partners across Canada and internationally, who have identified a need to better understand and address the health, environment and community impacts of resource development. A team of more than 60 people will work together as the ECHO Network (Environment, Community, Health Observatory) and will draw on expertise spanning health, social and natural sciences. The research draws on experience from four regional cases. Two are in British Columbia (one in the North and the other cross-province), and the others in Alberta and New Brunswick respectively. This session will provide an overview of the context and experiences of each regional case. The webalogue will orient to overarching goals of the ECHO Network project and introduce key research partners from the regional cases that are integral to the project design.

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Introducing the Environment, Community, Health Observatory (ECHO) Network - Strengthening intersectoral capacity to understand and respond to health impacts of resource development

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This webalogue introduces the ECHO Network, a 5-year research program funded by a Canadian Institutes of Health Research Team Grant, focused on working together across sectors to take notice of - and respond to - the influences of resource development on health and well-being, with specific emphasis on rural, remote and Indigenous communities and environments.