This page contains annotated news stories and press releases with commentary about land reform and the democratic process in British Columbia. Our comments are shown in red.
Based on the Auditor General Report we are asking for:
A reversal of the TFL deletion decision
A halt to Western Forest Products Subdivision Applications
A full Public Hearing on Western Forest Products Subdivison Applications
It is within the provinces ability to do so, and based on this report they need to engage the public in these land transfer decisions.
To view the report go to: http://www.bcauditor.com/include/view_file.asp?id=18&type=publication
To Find out how you can help go to: http://www.savejordanriver.com
A reversal of the TFL deletion decision
A halt to Western Forest Products Subdivision Applications
A full Public Hearing on Western Forest Products Subdivison Applications
It is within the provinces ability to do so, and based on this report they need to engage the public in these land transfer decisions.
To view the report go to: http://www.bcauditor.com/include/view_file.asp?id=18&type=publication
To Find out how you can help go to: http://www.savejordanriver.com
No development without hearings
Jul 18, 2008The case for public hearings before prime Jordan River waterfront and forest land is developed has always been strong.
After the auditor general's report on the botched way the land was released from tree farm licence provisions, the need for public hearings is overwhelming.
The provincial government's actions and inactions have created a disastrous situation, removing all opportunities for rational planning and public input on the future of the lands. It's imperative that the development rush be halted and some semblance of a proper democratic process restored.
The government has failed Islanders in two ways. Auditor general John Doyle reported that former forests minister Rich Coleman released the land from tree farm licences without adequate information on the costs and benefits. The ministry failed to consult with the Capital Regional District or communities that would be affected.
The result -- as well as huge windfall gains for Western Forest Products -- was an unexpected, overnight land-use change that undermined all planning for the region. Thousands of acres that had been protected as working forest and green space were suddenly available for housing and other uses.
The auditor general found that even after the decision, the government failed to provide adequate information to local governments and other stakeholders about the implications.
The Capital Regional District ultimately responded by passing new zoning bylaws for the released lands, largely to allow time to assess how the prospect of thousands of new homes -- and entire new communities -- would affect existing residents, parkland, transportation and water supplies.
Shamefully, then community services minister Ida Chong allowed the new bylaw to languish in her ministry for six weeks before she signed it. That let Western Forest Products launch development applications for more than 300 acreage properties under the old rules.
The development decision will not be made by elected officials representing local communities. Instead, a single manager in the province's Transportation Ministry will decide on the future development of prime land along the coast, including Jordan River waterfront now used by the public.
It's undemocratic and wrong.
Chong's failure can't be undone. But the damage can, at least, be reduced. The Transportation Ministry manager who will make the decision has the option of holding public hearings to bring some accountability, openness and democracy to the process. Residents and the CRD have pressed for the hearings. So far, he has been unwilling.
The auditor general's report establishes the compelling case for public hearings before these projects are allowed to proceed.
After the auditor general's report on the botched way the land was released from tree farm licence provisions, the need for public hearings is overwhelming.
The provincial government's actions and inactions have created a disastrous situation, removing all opportunities for rational planning and public input on the future of the lands. It's imperative that the development rush be halted and some semblance of a proper democratic process restored.
The government has failed Islanders in two ways. Auditor general John Doyle reported that former forests minister Rich Coleman released the land from tree farm licences without adequate information on the costs and benefits. The ministry failed to consult with the Capital Regional District or communities that would be affected.
The result -- as well as huge windfall gains for Western Forest Products -- was an unexpected, overnight land-use change that undermined all planning for the region. Thousands of acres that had been protected as working forest and green space were suddenly available for housing and other uses.
The auditor general found that even after the decision, the government failed to provide adequate information to local governments and other stakeholders about the implications.
The Capital Regional District ultimately responded by passing new zoning bylaws for the released lands, largely to allow time to assess how the prospect of thousands of new homes -- and entire new communities -- would affect existing residents, parkland, transportation and water supplies.
Shamefully, then community services minister Ida Chong allowed the new bylaw to languish in her ministry for six weeks before she signed it. That let Western Forest Products launch development applications for more than 300 acreage properties under the old rules.
The development decision will not be made by elected officials representing local communities. Instead, a single manager in the province's Transportation Ministry will decide on the future development of prime land along the coast, including Jordan River waterfront now used by the public.
It's undemocratic and wrong.
Chong's failure can't be undone. But the damage can, at least, be reduced. The Transportation Ministry manager who will make the decision has the option of holding public hearings to bring some accountability, openness and democracy to the process. Residents and the CRD have pressed for the hearings. So far, he has been unwilling.
The auditor general's report establishes the compelling case for public hearings before these projects are allowed to proceed.
