As the Canada Post strike lumbers alongside, the Grumpy Taxpayer$ cites it as a reason the Capital Regional District should revisit a pair of potential approvals to create new services for the region.
The CRD has two alternative approval processes underway for two potential new services in Greater Victoria – a regional food-lands access service and a biodiversity and environmental stewardship service.
An alternative approval process means the bylaws would be automatically approved unless 10 per cent of voting CRD residents indicate opposition in writing through an official response form requesting the board seek a referendum.
"We're sure the CRD wouldn't want to be seen taking advantage of the postal strike that began Nov. 15, which has been going on for at least three weeks with no end in sight," chair John Treleaven said. "This entire AAP process is made both invalid and rendered more undemocratic than it already is by virtue of the labour dispute."
The CRD gave notices for the upcoming AAPs in local print media, among other places, starting at Nov. 28 with a deadline of Jan. 15, 2025 for receipt of an electoral response form, Treleaven noted. The Grumpy Taxpayer$ is concerned about the timing with the mail strike and the holiday season.
The notice to electors appeared in Black Press publications on Nov. 28. The group asserts that for several weeks following that date, residents are focusing on family and celebration, not the workings of the CRD.
Not every elector has a computer or email, Treleaven added. Not every elector is versed enough in downloading, scanning to a PDF, or copying and faxing electoral responses. It may present challenges in particular for the further afield communities such as Port Renfrew in getting a copy of the form, filling it in and returning it ahead of the Jan. 15, 2025 deadline.
The goal of the proposed food-lands service is to enhance food security and address concerns over the rising cost of farmland by facilitating affordable access to productive land for new and expanding farmers.
The biodiversity and environmental stewardship service would open the CRD to taking a regional approach to preserving and protecting natural assets. It would mean working with municipalities, First Nations, large landowners, other government agencies and stewardship groups.
Both proposed services apply to all the communities the CRD serves. The required bylaws earned first three readings from the board this fall.
Results of both will be presented at the Feb. 12, 2025, CRD board meeting where the bylaw could be adopted.
