Our Guiding Principles

In addition to GVHA’s Vision and Mission, the organization’s actions and decisions are guided by five principles:

First Nations Relationship – We commit to working in partnership with the Esquimalt Nation and the Songhees Nation as they pursue their cultural and economic aspirations in the Harbour.

Triple Bottom Line – We commit to generating broad economic and social benefit from the use of our properties, while continuously reducing adverse social and environmental impacts in local neighbourhoods and to our land, air, and water.

Financial Self-Sustainability – We commit to structuring and managing GVHA in a financially prudent manner, and to ensuring the long-term sustainability of the organization and its assets without recourse to local subsidies.

Working Harbour – We commit to promoting the Harbour as a working Harbour, seeking out opportunities to help advance industrial, commercial and tourism related enterprises – “where commerce requiring the connection between the land and water takes place”

Accountability – We commit to act in the public interest of the Harbour on behalf of GVHA’s Member Agencies, their stakeholders and the people of the region, and to be held publicly accountable for our activities and results.