Hello,
The past week was a blur of learning, advocating, and networking as I was immersed for five and a half days at the annual Union of BC Municipalities (UBCM) convention which this year took place in lovely Victoria BC.
Along with study sessions, learning workshops, discussion forums, and plenary sessions from early morning till late afternoon, UBCM provides an opportunity for regional districts and municipalities to advocate on their priority issues with provincial Ministers and to meet with provincial staff as well. This report shares an update on advocacy the SRD Board & I engaged in, representing regional and community concerns with the Province.
Board advocacy priorities
The Strathcona Regional District Board’s had four Minister meetings. Board advocacy focused largely on better connecting our expansive regional district – improving cell coverage on Highways 19 & 28; requesting a re-evaluation of served & under-served areas for access to last mile funding; seeking electric power infrastructure upgrades for Houpsitas and Walters Cove on the west coast; and seeking support for a Reconciliation Framework which would be co-created in collaboration with First Nations whose territories intersect with the SRD’s service area.
BC Ferries advocacy
Prior to the official start of UBCM I attended a session for ferry dependent communities organized by Bowen Island Municipality. It was illuminating hearing the range of concerns from elected community representatives from the Central Coast to the southern Gulf Islands, both unique issues and shared concerns communities are experiencing – unmanaged seasonal traffic being one of them.
An outcome of the meeting was a letter jointly signed by 25+ elected leaders (including myself & Director Vonesch of Cortes Island) to BC Ferries CEO Nicolas Jimenez, calling for a commitment to structured consultation and joint problem-solving, and a letter to Premier David Eby, requesting a governance review of BC Ferries, and to embed local governments and First Nations in the decision-making structures that shape the ferry system’s future.
Local advocacy with the Province…
Healthcare:
I’m grateful to have had four meetings with provincial staff, advocating for priorities within Area C. I met with staff from the Ministry of Health, asking for provincial support for a Community Health Centre for the Discovery Islands. There is a determined and thoughtful group of islanders working on this initiative which would connect Quadra, Cortes & Read Island under one stable healthcare ‘umbrella’. I was happy to reinforce their message and gain new insights on the province’s work on community health centres.
Rebecca Spit & WildSafe funding:
When I met with staff from the Ministry of Water, Land and Resource Stewardship we spoke about protecting public health in Drew Harbour at Rebecca Spit Provincial Park. I requested signage to be re-established in the park, reminding vessel operators to ‘keep a cork in their waste’ while they’re in the harbour.
We also discussed water quality in the marine park and WildSafe funding. It was made clear that the government is operating from a place of fiscal constraint and requests requiring significant funding are much less likely to find support: whether provincial WildSafe funding will be accessible in future years was uncertain.
Village Bay Lake payphone
I met with Ministry of Citizens’ Services staff regarding the removal of the payphone at Village Bay Lake. I learned from them that there are six Telus payphones within the SRD; three have been converted to ‘community phones’ and another conversion is planned. When I described the lack of cell service in the area where the phone was removed, Ministry staff were very interested, as the federal ISED maps indicate that the area has cell coverage, which may have led to the removal of the phone. Armed with this new information, Ministry staff will revisit the topic with Telus.
Forestry
I had 15 minutes with Ministry of Forests staff, in which I advocated for strengthened community engagement in forestry planning on Quadra Island. I highlighted that Quadra Island is unique, with pocket communities nestled throughout the island intermingled with 11 woodlots and an active Tree Farm License, but hasn’t yet been included in landscape level forest planning. I shared how I’ve heard clearly from many community members that remedies are needed so the community can engage and highlight areas of high community value, whether for recreational, fire suppression, or critical infrastructure reasons.
Follow-ups in the future
There will be follow-up on these meetings, and as further information comes to light, I’ll be sure to share it. As well as my ‘formal’ meetings, I’m happy to have made connections with other provincial staff who’ve offered information and follow-up on other topics of import to Area C residents. I’m looking forward to engaging with these folks and reporting back to you.
Connect
Thank you for trusting me with this important role which provides opportunities to speak up for our communities. And, thanks for reading this report. You’re welcome to connect with me with questions or concerns: email RMawhinney@srd.ca, or call 250.203.2468.
Until next time,
Respectfully,
Director Robyn Mawhinney
Until next time,
Respectfully,
Director Robyn Mawhinney
| Photos in this Report… happy garden apples; SRD Board advocacy team, Director Martin Davis, Director Mark Vonesch, myself, CAO Dave Leitch, Chair Mark Baker, Director Julie Colburne; hearing from Premier David Eby; super education session on the implications of the Cowichan Tribes Decision; me having fun on the steps of the legislature. |
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