North Cowichan hostile to development
North Cowichan council is actively working to stop all land development in North Cowichan. There are two motions pending: Councillor Justice [has proposed] a development moratorium that is a stop work order for all growth while Councillor Douglas’s motion will likely create the strictest environmental code in Canada.
This council is myopically pursuing a single objective seemingly without regard for the financial consequences for families and businesses of North Cowichan. Thus far, neither plan acknowledges the need to balance the achievement of environmental objectives with the equally important need to maintain a sustainable local economy and employment. Under these two motions every Cowichan family and business that derives income from construction, building supply, gravel and related professional services will suffer. The ripple effects will quickly impact all other local families and businesses.
The residents of Bell McKinnon Road and supporters of the new Cowichan District Hospital will take note that these motions will over-ride the recently completed award-winning Bell McKinnon Local Area Plan and will stop all development including possibly the new hospital. North Cowichan taxpayers can expect more lawsuits from every development project that would be suspended under these motions. These motions can be expected to create significant legal and financial liabilities and risks for current and future North Cowichan taxpayers.
These motions represent a breach of council’s duty to represent the interests of ALL North Cowichan residents. Council must carefully investigate the consequences these motions will have on the families and businesses that pay for the services we all enjoy. Please join me in raising your voice to tell council that a more balanced approach is urgently required.
Send your thoughts to North Cowichan council by email at: council@northcowichan.ca or to North Cowichan CAO Ted Swabey at: ted.swabey@northcowichan.ca
Dave Jackson
Duncan