In the June 18 edition of the Saanich News, Mayor Dean Murdock is quoted as saying, “The district no longer has the luxury of more time” to explain the short timelines for citizens to respond to the $150 million AAP. Elsewhere in the article, mention is made of the project being identified as a priority a decade ago. So what was the municipality doing when it did have the luxury of time? Why weren’t taxpayers properly informed then?
This failure to act does not make redeveloping the Saanich Operations Centre an “emergency” now that it merits curtailing accepted democratic processes. This is a large sum of money, repayment of which taxpayers will once again bear. Taxpayers who are already struggling with the high cost of living on the Island and who expect public officials to address that and take it into consideration when making decisions, not reach into our pockets when we aren’t looking to take even more.
The district has not been transparent about public engagement on this project, and has made it cumbersome to object. That no one on council would second Coun. Nathalie Chambers’ motion to improve transparency and engagement is shameful. With an election on the horizon, it would suit council well to remember they are there to serve us, not the other way around.
Karen Lajoie
Saanich
