The Sea to Sky Corridor is sitting at a crucial crossroads in its development - it could turn into B.C.'s Disneyland or the province's model of sustainability, says environmental expert Ann Dale.The Royal Roads University scholar, who holds a Canada Research Chair in sustainable development, spoke via telephone to a group of about 50 at a Corridor Environmental Leaders Forum at Quest University on Saturday (April 12).The event, organized by Whistler Forum, brought together representatives from the Resort Municipality of Whistler, District of Squamish, Lil'Wat Nation, Squamish Nation, Squamish Streamkeepers and a number of other groups.Dale offered the audience a few key steps toward bridging the gap between environmentally conscious principals and the policies making them difficult to achieve."Climate change is good for the GDP," said Dale. "We need to change that."She emphasized networking between groups and suggested tackling outdated policies one at a time to prevent an ambitious yet unsuccessful overhaul of current regulations.MLA Joan McIntyre praised the forum, but said the government's recently unveiled carbon tax shows sweeping changes are possible."That was the one thing where I sort of shook my head and thought, 'I don't know if she knows what's going on in B.C.,'" said McIntyre.An email group such as LISTSERV is one simple way organizations could keep each other in the loop, Dale said. She also recommended local students be challenged to develop a website dedicated to linking separate community leaders.Successfully achieving sustainable development also means bridging the gaps between conservation, tourism and art to ensure community members of diverse backgrounds may work cohesively toward the same goal.During a question and answer period, Coun. Patricia Heintzman asked Dale how to avoid being pigeonholed the "environmental councillor," adding she feels marginalized by the label.Dale suggested she respond by saying, "I'm not the green candidateI'm for integrated discussion."
