Islanders promised more governance options
By Bruce Mason, Gabriola Sounder
Sunday, February 20, 2005
Minister of Community, Aboriginal & Women's Services (CAWS), Murray Coell, the MLA for Saanich North and the Islands, is freeing up funds and staff to create a discussion paper on improving government in the Islands Trust area, starting with Salt Spring.
"I'll put my local government staff working with their staff to design a discussion paper with a broad range of options - everything from the types of incorporation, to the types of expanded authority for the Trust - and then we'll take it to the people and let them have some input at a meeting in the fall," he said. "I think that the only way we are going to get a consensus is to produce a broad discussion paper and set up some public meetings."
This new commitment to look at options beside straight-ahead incorporation or the status quo is a definite shift in CAWS ministry policy and a decision that will eventually impact Gabriola.
There may be cynicism about the timing, in advance of the provincial election in May. However, it may also be seen as favourable: during civic elections slated for the fall, local RDN and trust candidates can be questioned on positions they have developed regarding future governance on Gabriola.
At this point it looks as if a form of governance beyond straight municipal incorporation might even be a possibility, which is what the Islands Trust's biggest fans have desired and, in fact, was called for by many in the Vote Rural - Vote No camp during the local municipal referendum in November.
The paper should make consideration of different scenarios for Gulf Island governance, at long last, possible.
"Salt Spring maybe needs to have something different than some smaller islands, so the paper would look at some of the powers the regional districts have now that affect all of the islands, and some provincial government agencies," Coell told Salt Spring's Driftwood newspaper. He reported that "one common thread" in meetings with groups favouring incorporation, or a renewed Islands Trust, is a desire for some change and more local control by islanders.
The study will be on a fast track. The outline is scheduled to be finished in February and a paper, finalized in the fall.
In the meantime, Salt Spring's three elected representatives are meeting with CAWS staff to examine current governance challenges. The focus is on the largest Gulf Island, but discussions also include the Trust framework and has implications, Trust-wide, which could lead to a better understanding and consensus on what the problems really are.
Throughout the Islands Trust area there are increasing fears about development. There's also concern about chronic coordination problems in a fragmented government system. And, as island populations grow rapidly, there's a need and new demand for more services.
Some Gabriolans are wondering if the development at Mid-Island Co-op - which conforms to local bylaws - is what elected trustees and Vote Rural -Vote No forces had in mind in their well-organized and financed campaign to defeat municipal status and to preserve and protect rural Gabriola. Or if, in fact, new powers and plans are what is really needed.
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