Our Vision

This website has been collaboratively developed through a process that began in the Sea-to-Sky Airshed in 2003. The Sea-to-Sky Air Quality Management Plan and the information provided here are products of the Air Quality Coordinating Committee (AQCC). The committee is comprised of local, regional, and provincial governments, industry, energy suppliers, transit agencies, with additional participation and contribution from health authorities, First Nations, and Environment Canada. A detailed list of members of this committee can be found on the Committee Members page.

The AQCC vision for air quality in the Sea to Sky region is that by 2025 (using a baseline of 2005):

Communities in the Sea-to-Sky Airshed enjoy clean air that sustains and contributes to the health of our residents and guests, our economy, and our environment and wildlife.

It is our vision that in 2025, residents and guests throughout the Sea-to-Sky Airshed will enjoy clean mountain air, crisp scents of ocean and forest, crystal clear views and vistas, and abundant diverse wildlife. Clean air will contribute to our residents’ and guests’ enjoyment of the natural surroundings and help them to maintain a healthy lifestyle. Due to the cleaner air, those with sensitive respiratory systems (such as asthmatics) will have improved quality of life, and visitors will come here to breathe our fresh air and enjoy our panoramic views.

Despite continued growth in the corridor, air quality will improve beyond 2005 through the use of good planning principles such as Smart Growth, new technologies, and clean energy sources. We will continue to consider air quality and its contributions towards our goals in all planning processes, such as climate change initiatives. All of our residents and businesses will recognize that the quality of our air is connected to all aspects of our communities’ activities.

Exceptional air quality and visibility in the corridor will continue to generate many economic opportunities for local businesses and will, in part, build on our multi-season outdoor tourism opportunities. We will develop new technologies and industries that contribute to healthy air as well as to our diverse and sustainable economy.

We will continue to identify and develop innovative practices for air quality management. We will share results of actions we have already implemented and those that will be implemented through the AQMP, nationally and internationally. In 2010, at the sustainable Winter Olympics and beyond we will be internationally recognized for our clean air, crystal clear views, our leading edge initiatives, and progressive management of air quality.