Preparing report
qathet Regional District’s board has directed staff to prepare a report to identify appropriate spaces for a mural wall project, and to bring the report back to directors.
At the February 11 regional board meeting, the board responded to correspondence from lawyer Stacey Fletcher, who stated she works with youth in her criminal law practice. She stated that she was trying to reduce the number of criminal charges she sees for graffiti.
“Several of my clients see themselves as artists, not criminals, and my hope is to try and find them an alternative to putting their art onto local businesses,” stated Fletcher. “With this aim, I am trying to set up a mural wall project to try and help youth express themselves through art, understand the effects graffiti has on the community and businesses, and form better connections with these youth to others and the community in general.”
Writing correspondence
The board has voted to write a letter to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) regarding the negative impact to this remote and inaccessible community by denying funding for the immigration services provided in the region, given the high ratio of immigrants and refugees.
The impetus to write a letter came as a consequence of correspondence written by Lift Community Service executive director Kim Markel, which indicated IRCC has denied funding for Lift’s immigrant services program.
Roads concerning
Correspondence will be sent to the minister of transportation and transit citing ongoing concerns with the conditions of the roads on Savary Island, with resulting impacts to the Savary Island Volunteer Fire Department, including potential negative impacts to emergency medical first responder patients. The board is requesting the minister implement a local area specification for improved road maintenance on Savary Island.
Wants meetings
The qRD board of directors has expressed its desire to work collaboratively with BC Ministry of Transportation and Transit. The board has also expressed a desire to meet regularly with representatives of the ministry to address shared concerns related to road safety, road conditions, road drainage structure and active transportation.
qRD is also outlining its willingness to participate in meetings with the ministry, be it semi-formal, or as an established working group with mutually agreed upon terms of reference.
The motion by the directors specified that they are often a point of contact between concerned residents regarding road safety, road conditions, road drainage infrastructure and active transportation. qRD, in the past, has met semi-formally with ministry representatives.
Join the Peak's email list for the top headlines right in your inbox Monday to Friday.