We need to start ignoring the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing. They have made it clear we are on our own to make decisions, so let’s get the study done to become a service area of the CVRD.

Annual General Meeting 7 p.m. June 3, 2019, Union Bay Community Hall

With a new board we can finally move forward instead of being held back by ignorant hillbilly attitudes. Time to move into the twenty first century.

More proof that the Ministry will not step in even when unlawful actions are being taken by UBID trustees. If that’s the case, why do we even bother listening to what they want us to focus on? They certainly aren’t going to stop the new board from sending the letter referred to in the motion in Nov. 2017, to the CVRD. The decision is with the landowners who are the ones footing the bills – not Mueller or Faganello et al.

The current board is a perfect example of the corruption allowed by the form of government we have right now. There is a reason why improvement districts are being phased out – you won’t hear of any new improvement districts being created.

From: “Brent Mueller” <Brent.Mueller@gov.bc.ca>
To: “Mary Reynolds” <@shaw.ca>
Cc: “AG Minister” <AG.Minister@gov.bc.ca>, “scott fraser mla” <Scott.Fraser.MLA@leg.bc.ca>, “Selina Robinson mla” <Selina.Robinson.MLA@leg.bc.ca>
Sent: Monday, May 6, 2019 2:51:31 PM
Subject: Union Bay Improvement District 


Ref: 246034
 
May 6, 2019
 
Mary Reynolds
@shaw.ca
 
Dear Ms. Reynolds:
 
Thank you for your emails of April 26, 2019 and April 30, 2019 to the Honourable Selina Robinson, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing, the Honourable David Eby, Attorney General, and Tara Faganello, Assistant Deputy Minister, Local Government Division, regarding the Union Bay Improvement District (UBID) Board.  As Director, Governance Relations, I am pleased to respond on behalf of the Ministers and Assistant Deputy Minister.
 
I can appreciate that there has been some frustration and concern with how the Board has been conducting business recently.  It is clear that there are strong differences of opinion at the Board table and within the community.  The Ministry is aware of these challenges and has been monitoring the situation in Union Bay and providing guidance to the Board where appropriate – all the while, being respectful of the fact that the Board is made up of elected representatives with the responsibility to make decisions on behalf of the community.
 
While I appreciate that some of your concerns involve questions about whether UBID has complied with its letters patent and bylaws, any allegation that decisions were made contrary to these documents would not be decided by the Province of British Columbia, but rather through the courts.  Should an individual seek a judicial review of the actions or decisions of any local body they would be well advised to first seek legal counsel to understand the review process, the resources required and the potential outcomes.  Ultimately, it is the courts that have the expertise to adjudicate questions of jurisdiction, authority and due process  .
 
Currently, it is my understanding that the Board is working to arrange for external facilitated support so that the annual general meeting can be held under conditions that are respectful and safe for land owners, staff and Board members.
 
I recognize that there has been, and continues to be, community interest in governance change.  The Province generally supports dissolving improvement districts where there is evidence of support from the Board, the local government that will take on the services, and the landowners, and where the key considerations for such a change are understood.  The process can take time and involves dialogue amongst all parties.  Last fall was not an optimal time for this conversation to get started as the Comox Valley Regional District (CVRD) was running its local elections.
 
Once the new Board is up and running, the Ministry is prepared to support efforts by UBID and the CVRD to work together to review governance.  However, it is important that the priority work of continuing construction of the water treatment system continues.  For now, UBID’s focus must be to ensure full compliance with Island Health’s Surface Water Quality Treatment Objective.  Once the water treatment plant is underway,  there will be more opportunity for the community and the UBID trustees to have a conversation about governance, and for UBID and the CVRD to decide to approach the Ministry about exploring governance options.
 
Sincerely,
 
Brent Mueller
Director, Governance Relations