Category Archives: Justice

Justice

No evidence Cortes Island director used her office to influence district staff, lawyer argues

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National Observer, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

The Strathcona Regional District (SRD) board’s evidence doesn’t support allegations Cortes Island director Noba Anderson used her public office to influence district staff on a matter involving her private property, her lawyer argued at a recent board meeting.

Matthew Voell spoke on Anderson’s behalf at a public hearing held Jan. 27 so the SRD board can decide whether to continue to pursue the allegations in B.C. Supreme Court and potentially disqualify her from office.

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Justice

SRD Board undecided about legal action against Anderson

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Cortes Island Director Noba Anderson violated an agreement that one of her land partners would communicate with staff regarding the subdivision of her property on Cortes Island, according to the Strathcona Regional District (SRD).

Anderson’s lawyer, Matthew Voell, pointed out that staff made a request, which Anderson acknowledged receipt of – that is not an agreement.  He produced a long stream of emails demonstrating that staff repeatedly initiated the direct contacts with Anderson. Voell maintained that Anderson ‘communicated with Regional District staff in her personal capacity and not in her role as a director,’ used her personal email address, and ‘almost always copied her land partner Ms. Lovena Harvey.’

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Justice

Campbell River: Marked increase in RCMP emergency calls this month

The Campbell River RCMP are experiencing a marked increase in the number of emergency calls this January.

In a press release issued last night, media relations officer Cst Maury Tyre, “2020 was the busiest year in terms of calls for service at the Campbell River RCMP for at least 10 years. This makes January 2021’s file count thus far concerning when we compare to our 2020 numbers.”

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Justice, Politics

SRD Contemplates Further Litigation Against Noba Anderson

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In the Agenda published on Friday Jan 22, 2021 for the SRD meeting of Weds Jan 27th, 2021 can be found a couple of items of interest to Cortes Islanders. For item N.1 (Cortes Island Assent Voting Bylaws), all sub-items have been postponed indefinitely. But more dramatic developments are found in section M (Staff Reports) item 1, “Director Anderson — Insider Influence.”

Attached to Item M.1 is a staff report dated January 21st and signed by David Leitch, CAO, with several documentary attachments. The Board is requested to “consider the process for deciding whether to pursue allegations of insider influence in relation to Director Anderson‘s December 17, 2020 communication with a staff member as it pertains to a proposed subdivision of land co-owned by her and located on Cortes Island.”

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Justice, Rivers & Oceans

Seeking Judicial review for aquaculture on unceded territory

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In what at least one First Nation leader describes as a challenge to Aboriginal rights, Mowi Canada West and Cermaq Canada are seeking a judicial review to overturn the DFO’s decision to phase out fish farms in the Discovery Islands.

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