Over the past two weeks I have hosted town hall meetings around Saanich North and the Islands. We held meetings in Sidney, Pender, Galiano, Mayne, Saturna, Central Saanich and Salt Spring.
When we are in session I cannot leave the legislature and, as a result, I have not spent much time in the Southern Gulf Islands in the past few months.
By and large, I am pleased with our first round of town halls. I am thankful for everyone who took time away from enjoying the sunshine to share their views with me. We will take what we learned from this series to improve these sessions in the future.
Our riding is diverse. Consequently, I often come home from public meetings with a long list of challenges, and homegrown solutions, that need the attention of the provincial government. Our spring series of town halls was no different.
It is increasingly clear that our communities have endured more than a decade of neglect. We must find creative ways to invest in maintaining and improving our communities on the Saanich Peninsula and Southern Gulf Islands.
I thought I would write this post to review some of what I heard. The following list is not exhaustive, but provides a decent summary of some of the more pressing issues.
Farmland in Central Saanich.
Agriculture
Agricultural Land Reserve
Both Southern Gulf Islands and the Saanich Peninsula have land in the Agricultural Land Reserve (ALR) and, as such, agriculture concerns often arise. At the top of the list this spring are a shortage of farm workers, housing for these workers, and cannabis production. Some of the issues will likely be addressed this fall when the Minister of Agriculture tables legislation to update the Agricultural Land Commission Act. The changes are informed by a comprehensive consultation that occurred this spring. I will keep working on the issues that do not get resolved.
Fallow Deer
While on Mayne Island, I hosted a Community Dialogue on Fallow Deer. During the 1980’s there was a fallow deer farm on Mayne but in 1992 approximately 50 deer escaped. Since then they have taken over the Island and are having a large impact on the native ecosystem. As the deer swim to neighbouring islands, their impact is spreading to Galiano, Saturna and perhaps even Pender. This started as a Ministry of Agriculture problem – at least for the first 30 days after the initial escape. After that, it became the problem of a different Ministry. We will continue to work with the Capital Regional District and the Ministry of Forests, Lands, Natural Resources and Rural Development to find a solution for the fallow deer that are certainly a safety and environmental problem.
Fish Farms
Last week the provincial government announced their plan for fish farms moving ahead. I have responded to their plan here and here. On balance, people are concerned about the impact of fish farms on our coast and I have heard clearly that the government needs to go further. I will continue to work on this issue in the coming weeks and months and will provide updates as I go!
Civilian Services
Connectivity
The Southern Gulf Islands are very poorly serviced for mobile phones and internet services and there is a vibrant discussion about the importance of connectivity. The Ministry of Citizens’ Services has been working on a plan, along with the federal government, to increase the bandwidth for rural and coastal communities. For the Southern Gulf Islands better internet service cannot come fast enough. With respect to cellular, it is not as simple as it might sound. Not only are local cell towers are controversial, but the issue is made more complex by geography. Towers on one island would be needed to service a neighbouring island and vice versa. I will continue to work with my colleagues at the CRD and Islands Trust on this issue to find solutions.
Town Hall on Mayne Island.
Energy, Mines and Petroleum Products
BC Hydro
Site C Dam
Even after all these months Site C remains a topic of concern for many of the constituents of Saanich North and the Islands. The Dam came up several times in our town hall series. Clearly folks are still unhappy with the BC NDP’s decision to proceed with the project. Unfortunately, I did not have the news they wanted to hear. The Dam is proceeding.
Solar
As highlighted by the solar panels on the Pender Island school, the Pender Island Community Hall, and on the high school on Salt Spring, there is a strong push for solar energy projects throughout the riding. While on Galiano, I met with the Salish Sea Renewable Energy Co-op. They would like B.C. Hydro to reverse their decision on “net metering” (see more here.) In essence, B.C. Hydro is no longer paying people for the extra power they produce. Effectively, this casts a chill on solar energy projects in the province. Clearly, the provincial government is going to need to develop a more coherent and modern energy policy – especially if we are to reach the climate targets we legislated this spring.
Trans Mountain
While we were coming into Bedwell Harbour during the Tour des Isles, I looked back and saw a huge freighter heading south through Boundary Pass. Even from a distance it was huge! The topic of Kinder Morgan’s pipeline also came up at a few of the town halls. Clearly, the impact of tanker traffic in Salish Sea is a major concern for constituents in this riding. Indeed, just watching that freighter from a distance put in context of the size of the problem – and this is only one small aspect of the mess we are in when it comes to that pipeline.
Forests, Lands, Natural Resources and Rural Development
(see Fallow Deer)
Wildfires
Wildfires are an underlying threat to all of our communities and each neighbourhood has varying levels of concern. The Gulf Islands are a unique challenge for many reasons, not the least of which is that there are very few ways to get off island. We have seen the devastating impact of wildfire. The fires last summer in our province are still fresh in our memories. Thankfully, there is good coordination between the province, local regional districts, and local fire services. But, more can be done. From investing in increased firefighting capacity through new tools like sprinkler trailers to an effort from residents to make sure their property is fire smart, we all have a responsibility to keep our communities safe.
Municipal Affairs and Housing
Housing remains a primary concern of constituents from all neighbourhoods in the riding. The issues presented by the housing challenges are diverse and they strike at the very core of our modern western society. There is a vibrant discussion about “housing as a commodity” and “housing as a home.” Affordability is challenging us across the board, placing immense strain on our social fabric. Where are the young people and young families going to live? Can seniors age in place? How do we address the growing level of homelessness on the Gulf Islands?
Housing
Demand
The provincial government proposed tax measures in the spring 2018 budget hoping to deal with some aspects affecting housing demand. These measures have been controversial. Saanich North and the Islands was a prime example of how the one-size-fits-all approach is not always the best option. I and my colleagues will continue to address the issues we have heard with the government as we approach the fall session when further legislation will be tabled.
Supply
There is an influx of capital for projects throughout the CRD and increased funding available through BC Housing. However, one comment I heard on Salt Spring remains at the back of my mind. “What is funded is not possible here and what is possible is not getting funded.” The Gulf Islands have specific governance and infrastructure challenges which often make housing projects ‘ineligible’ for the government’s standard funding programs. I have raised this issue with the minister and the provincial government is well-aware of the situation. I look forward to working with them to address the funding, governance and water issues to get some projects moving. There are currently a number of housing projects in process. On the Saanich Peninsula, they are moving through the public process but on the Gulf Islands, they are largely in bureaucratic gridlock. Time to get creative.
Rural Designation
I heard this next issue just once in my town hall tour but it should be noted because it is quite important. There is an unhelpful bit of bureaucracy that the provincial government must change. Currently, the Gulf Islands are largely designated as “urban.” Clearly, they are not urban, they are rural communities. But, because they are part of the Capital Region, they are deemed “urban.” As a result, they are not eligible for important grant funds that every community outside of the CRD and Metro Vancouver can access. We have urged the province to make an exception for the Salt Spring, Southern Gulf Islands and Juan de Fuca Electoral Districts. I have discussed it with the appropriate ministers a few times and requested another meeting with the ministries involved to continue my advocacy.
Public Safety and Solicitor General
(see wildfire in Forests, Lands, Natural Resources and Rural Development)
Visiting the Galiano Chamber of Commerce before my Town Hall.
Transportation
Electric vehicles
I spent this past Saturday morning at the Salt Spring Farmers’ Institute for the rEVolutionSS event. The fairgrounds were overtaken by dozens of electric vehicles of every make and model. It is clear that Salt Spring is going all in on EV’s. As a proud owner of a Nissan Leaf, I am a big fan!
Ferries
B.C. Ferries
Saanich North and the Islands is dependent on B.C. Ferries. During the town hall tour we heard about how important a reliable, reasonably-priced service is for the Gulf Islands. It matters to people living on the Saanich Peninsula as well. The disruptions caused by the accident on the Queen of Cumberland and the increasing fuel surcharge has Islanders very concerned about the affordability of their lives and sustainability of their businesses. There is no doubt, one of the primary challenges facing the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure, is the future of our B.C. Ferries system. I and my staff continue to build a strong relationship with B.C. Ferries and we will continue to strongly advocate for our ferry-dependent communities!
Inter-Island Ferries
The week-long tour ended with the Tour des Isles. This collaborative effort on all five Southern Gulf Islands demonstrates the potential to relieve some pressure on B.C. Ferries by focusing on moving people, not their cars. The discussion about an inter-island passenger ferry service continues to gain traction. On this trip, I traveled with Steve Price, Mayor of Sidney and the Chair of the CRD. Mayor Price has been a strong proponent of passenger ferry services. Certainly, there are benefits connecting the Southern Gulf Islands directly with Sidney. Many Islanders visit Sidney regularly for professional appointments and shopping and with a regular and reliable passenger service, they would be able to leave the car at home!
Roads
Maintenance
Provincial roads all across the riding are in need of basic maintenance. Asphalt is breaking down, potholes and eroding shoulders range from West Saanich Road to virtually every major road in the Southern Gulf Islands. During budget estimates this spring, it was interesting to hear MLA after MLA from the official opposition stand and plead for an increased transportation infrastructure maintenance budget. Add my name to the list because it is a clear need in our riding. Road are the veins of our economy. Maintaining them is a worthy investment.
Line-Painting
One of the Facebook conversations I have been tagged in recently is a back-and-forth about guerilla line painting on Salt Spring. Of course I do not condone this, but, it highlights a growing frustration with the centre-lines and shoulder-lines now almost completely invisible on most roads on Salt Spring Island (and the other islands as well). The ministry has committed $55,000 toward line painting this summer. We will see how far that goes – there are a lot of lines to paint.
Surfacing
The reason we want to have a suitable maintenance budget is because building and surfacing roads is expensive. If I started naming roads that need substantial investments in our riding there would be a long list of people saying what about this road or that road. So, I won’t. Needless to say, there is a huge job ahead for the minister who inherited a portfolio of seriously neglected transportation infrastructure. My job is go get our roads, front and centre in their mind!
Transit
In the spirit of passenger ferries, constituents across the riding want better transit. In fact, the two go hand-in-hand. An efficient, reliable, accessible rapid and neighbourhood bus system on the Saanich Peninsula would significantly help reduce wear-and-tear of our roads. In addition, we could decrease emissions and reduce congestion. We can start by asking the province to help fund the adding of busses to the existing network. Following that, we can re-configure the existing roads to make transit a priority. As you can see, transportation will definitely be a file I will spend more of my time on in the coming weeks and months.
Hanging out with Sidney Mayor Steve Price and Curt Firestone at the museum on Pender Island during Tour des Isles.
One community…
Residents in each of the three municipalities, four First Nations and every Gulf Island I visit, share with me how they are unique. It is true, each one has a well-defined culture that has evolved over the years. It is our diversity that makes us strong.
In the end, our riding covers a majority of the WSANEC territory. The Southern Gulf Islands and the Saanich Peninsula have worked together for countless generations. The various parts are important as they contribute to the whole.
Agricultural, industrial, commercial, residential, rural and urban – it is all there. Also, we connect the Capital Region to the rest of the world. We have forests, mountains, islands, and an ocean. In Saanich North and the Islands, there is a wealth of intellectual, financial and natural resources.
Despite the multitude of communities in our riding, as the MLA, I see it as a whole. Each one doing its part to make the whole area complete. I will continue to nurture our diversity, while working to bring us together, to encourage all our communities to better support each other.
Conclusion
I and my team in the constituency office in Sidney have become very good at understanding the complexity of our riding. We have been strongly advocating for these and many other challenges and opportunities that you have brought to us.
But, as we head into year two, we need to improve. Advocating must become solving. I am committed to finding creative ways to ensure that the next post-town hall update has a lot more “completed” notes next to the issues instead of the “in progress” notes in this edition. That is on me 😉
But first, a small camping trip with Emily and our kids!
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