qathet Regional District (qRD) directors passed several motions relating to RCMP objectives.
At the May 22 committee of the whole meeting, directors were presented with nine options for potential motions in a report from qRD chief administrative officer Al Radke.
The first was that the committee recommends that the regional board submit to RCMP staff sergeant Rod Wiebe two goals from the regional district: Texada Island detachment sustainability; and Savary Island reconnaissance and presence. Electoral Area B director Mark Gisborne suggested that dog control, education and enforcement be added. The motion carried.
Next was a motion that the committee recommends that the regional district write the attorney general of British Columbia for additional sheriff recruitment and hiring in Powell River. The motion carried.
The next motion was for the committee to recommend that the regional district write Vancouver Coastal Health requesting that it prioritize mental health-related emergency room triage to release the RCMP back to community policing services as soon as practically possible to protect and serve the masses. The motion carried.
The committee recommended that the regional district communicate with local agencies requesting they hire additional staff to adequately case manage mental health and/or substance abuse clients. The motion carried with City of Powell River director George Doubt opposed.
A motion that the committee recommends that the regional district enquire with local agencies as to their practices and procedures in handling and distributing safe drugs and if there is any reason to be concerned or alarmed that safe drugs may be being sold on the street, and if practices and procedures may need to be implemented, was defeated. Only Electoral Area E director Andrew Fall was in favour.
The next motion was that the committee recommends that the regional district write to the premier of British Columbia imploring the provincial government to invest in treatment options in qathet so residents can feel safe and comfortable and so the vulnerable can access greatly needed treatment options to have better physical and mental health, and potentially recover, and first and foremost, to stay alive. The motion carried, with Gisborne and city director Cindy Elliott opposed.
The committee recommended that the board direct staff to write to local agencies encouraging their participation and playing an active role in the situation table being formed, and that the committee recommends that the board direct staff to attend the situation table during the formative phase to gain more knowledge and greater insight into the purpose and direction the initiative finally takes. The motion carried.
Finally, the committee recommended that the board direct staff to come back to a future meeting with information regarding options available under division five – regulation of animals of the Local Government Act. The motion carried, with Gisborne opposed to the motion.
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