Hello,
Since November 2022 I’ve had the honour of representing the Discovery Islands and Mainland Inlets at the Strathcona Regional District Board. Representing Area C has been challenging & rewarding. I’m happy to share my intention to run for re-election this fall and I hope I can count on your support. General local elections are scheduled for October 17.
Four years ago
Four years ago, housing, emergency service availability & community engagement were top issues. Progress has been made on all three, and there’s been successes in other areas as well. What a benefit to our community that in 2024 Quadra Island was upgraded to an Alpha Station with paramedics in the station 24 hours a day.
Housing
While housing availability hasn’t been solved, concrete steps have been taken and there is further work underway. The SRD has created a Regional Housing Service, creating a pathway to fund housing projects across the regional district. I’ve been working closely with the Discovery Islands Affordable Housing Society to support their work; sponsored a Board-supported motion advocating to the Premier for a funding stream for rural and island communities; sponsored Board-supported motions to investigate potential land for housing on Quadra Island and seek tenure on the land from the Province, and more.
Community voices
As I promised in 2022, there is now an Area C Advisory Planning Commission made up of Area C residents who consider rezoning and Planning matters: big thanks to the commission members who volunteer their time and perspectives. We’ve all been working on a new Official Community Plan for a year and a half which has provided many opportunities for community engagement (and there’s more to come, a draft OCP & surveys are coming this fall
Successes
There’s been successes of many sizes. These include Bylaw 510 & 574 which limit bulk water bottling, processing, and sales in Area C and ensure that if such an application comes forward, there’s an opportunity for the community to weigh in via a Public Hearing. The recent opening of Quadra Island’s new recycle depot is a welcome improvement.
There was excellent community engagement for the creation of an Active Transportation Plan for Quadra Island, now completed, and the Integrated Community Sustainability Plan was also completed this term. The ICSP will inform future planning documents including the OCP (it suffered hiccups during covid).
The Quathiaski Cove Wastewater Service has faced challenges and is now headed in a healthy direction: the Service has built capital reserves for replacement of the aging infrastructure, from $35k in 2022 to $217k in 2025. SRD staff are working with the We Wai Kai Nation to pursue wastewater service integration: a non-binding Letter of Understanding has been completed, and the Board has directed $200k of Growing Communities funds to support a technical review.
Challenges & opportunities
I don’t think anyone expected that Quadra Islanders would be pushed to pay a significant new tax for a recreation service a ferry ride away; I sure didn’t. This unexpected turn has provided me opportunities for direct advocacy and given me a deeper understanding of the Local Government Act than I may have built otherwise.
There are other challenges we’re facing, and opportunities arising as a result. For example, climate uncertainty, and a Woodchipping Service which would build community climate resilience. Increasing active transportation, and a need for improved supports. Physician recruitment, and my ongoing provincial advocacy to support the community health centre model for the benefit of the Discovery Islands. These are just some of the things I’m dedicated to working on for Area C. I’m also working on goals for the next term which I plan to release in early September. If you have thoughts on what’s pressing for our community, please reach out and let’s chat.
Insights
Representing Area C has expanded my understanding of government and given me insight into why things take can so long to move forward. Being a strong voice for rural and remote communities benefits Area C and beyond. Building relationships locally & provincially supports initiatives which benefit the federation of the SRD. Advocacy for community priorities is a critical piece of the work of the Director: it’s been great to work with and support community organizations with advocacy as well as writing letters of support when requested.
Reporting to you
Three-and-a-half years have bubbled along, and I’ve written a lot of Director’s Reports in that time — one every other week. My reports are accessible in a variety of ways – by email to subscribers, published in the Discovery Islander, and linked to via the ‘Robyn Mawhinney Area C Director’ Facebook page. Visit RobynMawhinney.ca for previous reports (searchable by keyword) and links to helpful online resources.
The work continues
This Director’s Report is a break from the usual. Next Report I’ll be back to updates on local government developments which are relevant and impactful to Area C. There are close to four months remaining in this term and you can expect I’ll be working hard for you the entire time. Recently an elected colleague referred to the upcoming election as a ‘job performance review’: I trust my work as your Director, representing the Discovery Islands and Mainland Inlets, has met your expectations and you’ll support me in October.
Connect
You’re welcome to connect with me with questions or concerns: email [email protected], or call 250.203.2468. Visit RobynMawhinney.ca for links to helpful community resources and ‘back issues’ of Director Reports. Visit srd.ca/government/agendas-minutes to keep up to date on SRD governance happenings.
Until next time,
Respectfully,
Robyn Mawhinney
Top image credit: me hamming it up on the steps of the Legislature following SRD advocacy meetings with Provincial Ministries during UBCM – pic by Director Vonesch