1 00:00:02,030 --> 00:00:05,030 Can you hear us, Councillor Engster? You can wave. 2 00:00:07,980 --> 00:00:08,900 You can hear us. 3 00:00:22,040 --> 00:00:29,900 I don't see that you're muted, so. Oh, there were louder. But we can now hear you. Thank you. 4 00:00:32,980 --> 00:00:48,940 Okay. All right. Good. Thank you. Good evening, everyone. Welcome to the meeting of council. June 4th. It's 701 with the land acknowledgement in our agenda, and I'll call the meeting to order. 5 00:00:48,940 --> 00:00:54,480 I know Councillor Sheppard and Toth did indicate they would not be joining us tonight. 6 00:00:56,160 --> 00:00:58,520 Council, any concerns, conflicts? 7 00:00:59,020 --> 00:01:01,260 We have the agenda in front of us. 8 00:01:02,720 --> 00:01:04,560 I'll entertain a motion to adopt. 9 00:01:05,320 --> 00:01:07,840 Thank you, Councillor Bell, second, Councillor Roe. 10 00:01:08,000 --> 00:01:08,960 All in favour? 11 00:01:11,550 --> 00:01:12,950 Councillor Aingster, did you 12 00:01:15,190 --> 00:01:17,070 vote, Councillor Aingster? 13 00:01:25,060 --> 00:01:28,820 I think you've got to turn, I assume you've got to turn the volume up on your end, but 14 00:01:28,820 --> 00:01:32,100 because councilman McLaughlin, I believe, can hear us okay. 15 00:01:33,080 --> 00:01:36,700 So we were the motion for adoption of the agenda. 16 00:01:37,060 --> 00:01:38,180 You could just signify, 17 00:01:45,680 --> 00:01:45,820 okay? 18 00:01:46,240 --> 00:01:48,100 Well, for something like that, 19 00:01:48,220 --> 00:01:51,120 I think we can take the majority vote on that. 20 00:01:52,340 --> 00:01:54,640 I do want to check Councilor Inxer, 21 00:01:54,700 --> 00:01:58,640 you can hear us sort of, okay? 22 00:02:00,780 --> 00:02:04,580 Maybe we'll try and do IT support from here, but thank you. 23 00:02:04,580 --> 00:02:11,760 All right, Council, we can then go to item 5.1, which is a request reverence on a property 24 00:02:11,760 --> 00:02:18,460 we've seen before. We have the report on pages, I believe, three and four. I think if we've 25 00:02:18,460 --> 00:02:24,720 got any questions, Mr. Allen, can try to address them, but essentially we're taking what was 26 00:02:24,720 --> 00:02:33,330 approved previously and moving it to different dates to allow for weather and so did we approve 27 00:02:33,330 --> 00:02:36,190 the last time 100 meters? This is the same. 28 00:02:37,450 --> 00:02:43,290 Yes, that's correct. Apologies for bringing this back. The last Council resolution was generic, 29 00:02:43,290 --> 00:02:47,810 but there were dates specified in the report, sort of abundance of caution. We thought we would 30 00:02:47,810 --> 00:02:51,510 bring this back to Council, but the last time the dates didn't work out due to their work schedule 31 00:02:51,510 --> 00:02:56,550 on the weather, and they have new dates lined up, regardless of when that specific date is, we will 32 00:02:56,550 --> 00:02:58,630 in order for our assets to notify within 100 meters. 33 00:02:59,150 --> 00:02:59,710 Thank you. 34 00:02:59,970 --> 00:03:01,110 Great. Thank you. 35 00:03:01,890 --> 00:03:02,490 Okay. 36 00:03:03,110 --> 00:03:06,630 Council have a recommendation on page three. 37 00:03:07,250 --> 00:03:08,850 Any comments, concerns? 38 00:03:10,490 --> 00:03:11,310 That's a row. 39 00:03:12,450 --> 00:03:13,970 I'm happy to move recommendation. 40 00:03:14,210 --> 00:03:14,510 Thank you. 41 00:03:15,330 --> 00:03:15,630 Seconded. 42 00:03:16,510 --> 00:03:18,030 Okay. Any discussion? 43 00:03:19,290 --> 00:03:20,430 All in favor? 44 00:03:21,530 --> 00:03:22,710 Great. Thank you. 45 00:03:23,710 --> 00:03:24,070 Okay. 46 00:03:24,070 --> 00:03:29,690 Okay, then we moved item 5.2, which is my notice of motion. 47 00:03:31,330 --> 00:03:39,190 It's before you for consideration tonight, and I just acknowledge we have several members 48 00:03:39,190 --> 00:03:46,730 of the community of our community here tonight to just to witness this, so I want to acknowledge 49 00:03:46,730 --> 00:03:47,290 you guys. 50 00:03:47,610 --> 00:03:52,670 I've had the opportunity to meet with you a few times over the last few weeks. 51 00:03:52,670 --> 00:03:58,990 And, you know, you're, I just want you to know how impressive I am, how impressed I've 52 00:03:58,990 --> 00:04:06,270 been of you and your passion and frankly the difficulties you're going through or something 53 00:04:06,270 --> 00:04:08,910 that I hope we can help address. 54 00:04:10,810 --> 00:04:18,050 Council also let you know that we have about 50 employers on a list that have been contacted 55 00:04:18,050 --> 00:04:21,950 and many of them are in the process of providing letters of support. 56 00:04:23,030 --> 00:04:27,650 I think also the SDBA has signified their support of, 57 00:04:28,210 --> 00:04:31,850 and as are the, some of the directors of the Chamber of Commerce 58 00:04:31,850 --> 00:04:39,290 haven't had a formal meeting, but they are indicating that they're supportive. 59 00:04:39,290 --> 00:04:39,410 of. 60 00:04:42,030 --> 00:04:51,290 So I think Agnes Cabby is here if Agnes, did you want to offer us just a short couple 61 00:04:51,290 --> 00:04:57,890 of words? Okay, we've just come up here please and use and press the button for the microphone. 62 00:05:13,520 --> 00:05:17,260 Ladies and gentlemen, esteemed community leaders, 63 00:05:18,520 --> 00:05:23,520 artistry councilors, sir, ma'am, 64 00:05:23,600 --> 00:05:25,760 our honorable mayor, John Henderson, 65 00:05:27,260 --> 00:05:29,980 our Canadian tire owner, Sir Jeff Embers, 66 00:05:31,380 --> 00:05:35,940 and fellow residents of Sunshine Coast, Good evening. 67 00:05:37,140 --> 00:05:40,900 My name is Agnes Cabe, and I stand before you tonight, 68 00:05:40,900 --> 00:05:48,000 representing the temporary foreign workers of Sunshine Coast. I am here to 69 00:05:48,000 --> 00:05:56,320 address the important issue affecting many temporary foreign workers and 70 00:05:56,320 --> 00:06:05,240 families including mine. Many of us have been part of the community for several 71 00:06:05,240 --> 00:06:12,820 several years and significantly established strong ties and made substantial participation 72 00:06:12,820 --> 00:06:14,200 in our community. 73 00:06:15,260 --> 00:06:22,260 In the local businesses, particularly in the retail, food service, and healthcare support 74 00:06:22,260 --> 00:06:32,400 sectors, many TFWs have brought their families to Canada under the IRCC pathway, open work 75 00:06:32,400 --> 00:06:35,620 permit for family members of foreign workers. 76 00:06:36,340 --> 00:06:48,060 However, the recent and drastic immigration changes on January 21, 2025 have created uncertainty 77 00:06:48,740 --> 00:06:50,000 about our future. 78 00:06:51,100 --> 00:06:59,680 We are now faced with a difficult choices, either to return to our home country as a family 79 00:06:59,680 --> 00:07:08,240 or have our family members go back while the primary temporary foreign workers remain 80 00:07:08,240 --> 00:07:10,000 in Canada for work. 81 00:07:12,160 --> 00:07:20,060 This separation could lead to anxiety and depression for TFWs who will 82 00:07:20,060 --> 00:07:29,080 be left behind in Canada. Hence why I am making our way to the local community to let you know 83 00:07:29,080 --> 00:07:38,400 the challenges that we are dealing with, despite of our willingness to be a long-term part 84 00:07:38,400 --> 00:07:39,780 of our community. 85 00:07:40,760 --> 00:07:50,560 And to continue our integral role in supporting the local businesses and enterprises, we are so 86 00:07:50,560 --> 00:08:03,030 answers as to how we will renew our family members work from it due to the eligibility requirements imposed by the IRCC. 87 00:08:03,670 --> 00:08:14,270 I strongly believe that recognizing our value to our community is crucial at this time. 88 00:08:14,270 --> 00:08:18,170 We are not just a temporary workers. 89 00:08:18,950 --> 00:08:22,850 We are neighbors, we are colleagues and friends. 90 00:08:23,890 --> 00:08:28,790 We have built our relationships, learned about the Canadian culture 91 00:08:28,790 --> 00:08:32,350 and adapted to local ways of life. 92 00:08:33,390 --> 00:08:39,350 Our children attend school here and our spouses works 93 00:08:39,350 --> 00:08:43,290 and sometimes they volunteer in the community. 94 00:08:43,910 --> 00:08:49,590 By supporting our petition to include the Sunshine Coast 95 00:08:49,590 --> 00:08:53,170 in the rural community immigration pilot program, 96 00:08:53,790 --> 00:09:00,690 or alternatively proposing an extension to open work permits 97 00:09:00,690 --> 00:09:05,070 for the family members of temporary foreign workers 98 00:09:05,070 --> 00:09:12,450 members who are already established in our community would also be beneficial. 99 00:09:13,350 --> 00:09:22,970 This support would enable families like mine to build a stable and long-term life here, 100 00:09:24,170 --> 00:09:27,430 potentially leading to permanent residency. 101 00:09:27,430 --> 00:09:37,670 This impact would be felt not only by our families but also by local businesses, customers 102 00:09:38,230 --> 00:09:45,450 and the broader community, ultimately contributing to the region's growth and development. 103 00:09:46,730 --> 00:09:50,470 This is not just about us and our families. 104 00:09:50,470 --> 00:09:59,510 It is also about the businesses we work for, the customers we serve, and the community 105 00:09:59,510 --> 00:10:00,830 we care about. 106 00:10:02,410 --> 00:10:09,650 As we move forward, I trust that we can work together to address these challenges we 107 00:10:09,650 --> 00:10:18,110 face and build a more inclusive and supportive environment for all the members of our society. 108 00:10:18,110 --> 00:10:20,610 that's all and thank you. 109 00:10:21,210 --> 00:10:23,630 Thank you. Thank you, Regency. 110 00:10:25,070 --> 00:10:25,790 Okay, thank you. 111 00:10:27,170 --> 00:10:28,870 Okay, I appreciate that. 112 00:10:31,130 --> 00:10:33,230 So council, do you have questions? 113 00:10:34,510 --> 00:10:36,290 Comments? Councillor Rho. 114 00:10:38,130 --> 00:10:41,830 Thank you for speaking and thank you, folks, for attending. 115 00:10:42,150 --> 00:10:42,990 I appreciate that. 116 00:10:44,450 --> 00:10:47,450 Unfortunately, I can't support this at this time 117 00:10:47,450 --> 00:10:52,730 because I don't feel like I have the background on why this is happening in the first place. 118 00:10:53,290 --> 00:11:01,470 So it's certainly something that I'd like to have a discussion with Mr. Wheeler about, but 119 00:11:02,410 --> 00:11:10,810 I can't be in support of writing a letter of support without having more information. 120 00:11:12,310 --> 00:11:12,870 Thanks. 121 00:11:13,590 --> 00:11:19,270 Thank you. Do you have particular things you'd like to know? Do you have questions? 122 00:11:21,070 --> 00:11:26,030 Well, I'd like to understand what is behind the change. I mean, the federal government 123 00:11:26,030 --> 00:11:35,250 must, I'm sure that something is driving this. This isn't a random change just for the 124 00:11:36,590 --> 00:11:42,390 fun of it, if you will. I'd like to understand what's behind it, because I may have supported 125 00:11:42,390 --> 00:11:44,770 at that in the federal election, I don't know. 126 00:11:45,930 --> 00:11:51,070 Hey, I suppose I can offer from the research 127 00:11:51,070 --> 00:11:53,830 and I have talked to MP Wiler. 128 00:11:55,750 --> 00:11:59,830 The part of the process is, as I understand it, 129 00:12:00,010 --> 00:12:03,130 we are kind of lumped into an urban environment. 130 00:12:04,090 --> 00:12:07,270 And as we all know, when you go to Google, 131 00:12:07,610 --> 00:12:11,610 we're considered to be only 20 kilometers away from Vancouver. 132 00:12:11,610 --> 00:12:17,250 or even closer than the NIMAL, which of course we know is not realistic. 133 00:12:18,030 --> 00:12:24,330 So it's the categorization that we are considered more of an urban environment 134 00:12:24,330 --> 00:12:28,490 than a rural one, and that is what has triggered this. 135 00:12:29,250 --> 00:12:34,410 So certainly my notice of motion requests a letter of support. 136 00:12:34,910 --> 00:12:39,150 I think that's where we certainly have a lot of work to do both. 137 00:12:39,150 --> 00:12:45,130 Well, I would suggest it's probably more MPWiler because ultimately immigration is a federal 138 00:12:45,130 --> 00:12:45,410 thing. 139 00:12:45,630 --> 00:12:53,870 But I'd certainly encourage you to support the spirit of this and with that we will, that's 140 00:12:53,870 --> 00:12:54,590 part of the process. 141 00:12:54,830 --> 00:12:58,350 So we would take it forward to Mr. Wiler to see what he can offer. 142 00:12:59,470 --> 00:13:05,450 I should indicate, too, he is in, he's confirmed that he is available later in June. 143 00:13:05,730 --> 00:13:07,470 I think the date is yet to be confirmed. 144 00:13:12,460 --> 00:13:21,000 Yes, and thank you as well for coming and speaking so compassionately about this. I also 145 00:13:21,000 --> 00:13:28,640 understand that to be the issue around the category that you are placed in. So I'm actually 146 00:13:28,640 --> 00:13:31,500 going to support the letter of support. 147 00:13:32,460 --> 00:13:38,740 Thank you. Councillor McGotten, I see your hand up and can I just check? Do we have Councillor 148 00:13:38,740 --> 00:13:41,120 If you're still with us, you dropped off. 149 00:13:41,880 --> 00:13:43,720 I'd appears to Councillor Inxter left the meeting 150 00:13:43,720 --> 00:13:45,520 after the vote for the noise variance. 151 00:13:46,280 --> 00:13:46,940 Okay, thank you. 152 00:13:47,960 --> 00:13:49,920 But yes, so we still have a quorum. 153 00:13:50,320 --> 00:13:51,020 Okay, thank you. 154 00:13:51,440 --> 00:13:52,480 Councillor McLaughlin, please. 155 00:13:53,940 --> 00:13:55,460 Yes, you can hear me. 156 00:13:56,260 --> 00:13:56,920 Ann, thank you. 157 00:13:57,620 --> 00:13:57,780 Yeah. 158 00:13:59,500 --> 00:14:04,960 I was just, I appreciate the folks there coming forward 159 00:14:05,720 --> 00:14:07,020 and the work they do 160 00:14:07,020 --> 00:14:15,060 and, you know, unfortunate need for them often to have to leave their own country and 161 00:14:15,060 --> 00:14:20,620 often without their families, which has been a long-standing difficult situation. 162 00:14:20,940 --> 00:14:23,720 So it's nice that they are bringing their families over. 163 00:14:24,500 --> 00:14:31,960 I guess the unfortunate part here is that, you know, we're facing this American tariff issue 164 00:14:31,960 --> 00:14:41,540 and job issue ourselves, which makes it very hard to just do things as we had until recently. 165 00:14:42,600 --> 00:14:49,540 And also, you know, I was actually reading the National Post yesterday had an article 166 00:14:49,540 --> 00:14:57,560 from the organization for Economic Cooperation and Development OCAD, 167 00:14:57,560 --> 00:14:59,480 which is basically the developed countries. 168 00:15:00,000 --> 00:15:29,980 Where they analyzed all the countries and they were commenting on Canada and that in Canada's survey, the issues of housing affordability and worker productivity are two areas which Canada now ranks amongst the worst in the developed world. And so it's unfortunate, but it says that, you know, the record high immigration is made housing affordability. And as we all know, 169 00:15:29,980 --> 00:15:36,700 the issue so it's hard to know if this is a good idea when our federal government now is trying 170 00:15:36,700 --> 00:15:41,940 to take on these big challenges and they have a lot on their plate more than I think I've ever seen 171 00:15:41,940 --> 00:15:51,640 before so I don't know if they really can change this approach right now and I almost I hesitate 172 00:15:51,640 --> 00:15:58,660 to ask them to do that because they just have so much to do and all these things work together 173 00:15:59,740 --> 00:16:06,120 and just kind of glad that we have somebody at the helm that can figure out the connections 174 00:16:06,120 --> 00:16:15,060 and the various things. So unfortunately I am not going to support it today because I do think we 175 00:16:15,060 --> 00:16:20,620 have to let our government and our MP continue with the incredibly 176 00:16:20,620 --> 00:16:25,420 unfortunately very, very important work that they've been so 177 00:16:25,420 --> 00:16:30,460 diligently doing for the last month or two. I think we just have to 178 00:16:30,460 --> 00:16:32,060 focus on that. Thanks. 179 00:16:33,660 --> 00:16:41,260 Okay, thank you. Okay, so no councilloring. Sure. I think the in 180 00:16:41,260 --> 00:16:46,840 response, Councilor McLaughlin, the issue is not about, I did read that article as well 181 00:16:46,840 --> 00:16:52,940 and I found it, one of the challenges, it's a bit like talking about homeless people 182 00:16:52,940 --> 00:16:57,940 that there's, within the category that we tend to use of one word, there's several categories. 183 00:16:58,700 --> 00:17:06,340 And in this case, immigration, there are categories ranging from students to skilled workers that 184 00:17:06,340 --> 00:17:10,420 that are agreeing to go to work to a specific location. 185 00:17:11,620 --> 00:17:16,220 This, my notice of motion, is related to the Sunshine Coast and 186 00:17:16,220 --> 00:17:23,380 the employers among others that depend on these people to work to keep their businesses operating. 187 00:17:24,220 --> 00:17:35,240 We have a letter coming I know from one employer that will be saying it is likely they will have to severely curtail their hours. 188 00:17:35,240 --> 00:17:38,240 because they won't have enough workers. 189 00:17:39,160 --> 00:17:46,620 The OECD report referenced a lack of housing in a sweeping across the country thing. 190 00:17:47,320 --> 00:17:52,900 I guess I'm just wanting to emphasize to all of council that this is about what's going 191 00:17:52,900 --> 00:17:54,120 on on the Sunshine Coast. 192 00:17:54,940 --> 00:18:01,920 And it is severe, or the part of the employers it's severe for health care, severe for the elderly 193 00:18:01,920 --> 00:18:05,340 really depend on people in this category. 194 00:18:05,960 --> 00:18:14,000 So I would ask in this situation that you reconsider it, we're both Councillor Rho and 195 00:18:14,580 --> 00:18:19,260 Councillor McLachlan, we're looking for my proposal as a letter of support. 196 00:18:19,840 --> 00:18:28,640 We don't need it, but in terms of the group continuing to work on appealing to MP Wiler 197 00:18:28,640 --> 00:18:34,240 and others, this isn't necessary, but I think it's the right move for the district of 198 00:18:34,240 --> 00:18:37,760 C. Sheldt to be supportive of this part of our community. 199 00:18:42,080 --> 00:18:42,740 Any other comments? 200 00:18:46,750 --> 00:18:47,750 Yes, Councillor McLachlan. 201 00:18:50,430 --> 00:18:52,010 Sorry, it was your answer. 202 00:18:52,010 --> 00:18:52,510 Thanks. 203 00:18:52,930 --> 00:18:54,130 Yes, thank you. 204 00:18:54,830 --> 00:19:02,010 Yes, unfortunately, you know, the policy is a federal policy and also as Councillors, we 205 00:19:02,010 --> 00:19:06,410 We have to think about, you know, the good of all people in our community. 206 00:19:07,070 --> 00:19:10,870 And I can see that this is primarily, I think, coming from the business community. 207 00:19:13,350 --> 00:19:17,870 But, you know, we have to think about everybody in the community, maybe think of other ways 208 00:19:17,870 --> 00:19:23,990 to provide services and, you know, because we're just in a state of change. 209 00:19:24,890 --> 00:19:30,790 And I don't think we can just ask the government to go back to what they just decided to do 210 00:19:30,790 --> 00:19:33,770 for the good of Canadians. Thank you. 211 00:19:34,570 --> 00:19:39,050 I do need to, if I wasn't clear or perhaps I put the wrong emphasis, 212 00:19:39,670 --> 00:19:44,850 this originally it was Agnes and some of her peers that approached me. 213 00:19:45,830 --> 00:19:49,690 After we talked about it, I asked who else was impacted by this. 214 00:19:50,370 --> 00:19:56,570 He was told employers and was a really, it is employers certainly, 215 00:19:56,570 --> 00:19:59,930 But it is the individuals, some of whom are in the room here. 216 00:20:00,610 --> 00:20:08,550 And it's also a lot of customers, a lot of clients, I said earlier, elderly. 217 00:20:09,030 --> 00:20:12,970 So the people impacted, this is not coming from the business community only. 218 00:20:16,950 --> 00:20:17,150 Okay. 219 00:20:17,730 --> 00:20:22,570 So Council, nothing else? 220 00:20:23,370 --> 00:20:24,910 We'll call the question then. 221 00:20:24,910 --> 00:20:29,230 All in favor of my motion on page 5 of the agenda. 222 00:20:31,580 --> 00:20:32,120 Opposed? 223 00:20:32,380 --> 00:20:33,120 Councillor Rho. 224 00:20:35,210 --> 00:20:36,250 Councillor McLachlan. 225 00:20:36,510 --> 00:20:36,790 Opposed? 226 00:20:37,290 --> 00:20:38,750 The motion is defeated. 227 00:20:41,310 --> 00:20:41,530 Okay. 228 00:20:42,690 --> 00:20:48,950 We'll go on, then, counsel, to the agenda, which is the SCRD reports. 229 00:20:49,350 --> 00:20:51,870 And neither of our SCRD reps are with us. 230 00:20:52,330 --> 00:20:55,250 So we can go to the council reports. 231 00:20:55,250 --> 00:20:58,550 and perhaps they'll start with you, Councilman McLachlan. 232 00:21:00,070 --> 00:21:01,190 And then Councilwoman. 233 00:21:03,730 --> 00:21:05,510 Yeah, I don't have too much to report. 234 00:21:06,190 --> 00:21:07,450 I haven't been feeling well. 235 00:21:08,110 --> 00:21:11,710 I did go to a meeting on the weekend, 236 00:21:12,090 --> 00:21:13,710 thinking I was feeling pretty good, 237 00:21:13,710 --> 00:21:17,570 but out of the goodness of my heart 238 00:21:17,570 --> 00:21:20,070 and for my own sake, I've been laying low 239 00:21:20,610 --> 00:21:23,170 and not sharing my coughs with anybody. 240 00:21:24,850 --> 00:21:27,030 Hey, thank you for not sharing. 241 00:21:28,610 --> 00:21:29,310 Answer row. 242 00:21:31,800 --> 00:21:32,500 Hi, thanks. 243 00:21:32,960 --> 00:21:37,620 So in the last couple of weeks, I did something I have only ever done a couple of times in my 244 00:21:37,620 --> 00:21:37,960 life. 245 00:21:38,200 --> 00:21:43,080 Just for all of our 800 viewers out there who is wondering who actually wrote the letter 246 00:21:43,080 --> 00:21:44,460 to the editor, that was me. 247 00:21:46,740 --> 00:21:52,480 And so I have done that, have received a FOI request with regards to that. 248 00:21:52,480 --> 00:21:58,000 So what makes one wonder if our 800 viewers are wondering who wrote it. 249 00:21:58,120 --> 00:21:59,460 So I just wanted to speak to it. 250 00:22:00,460 --> 00:22:11,540 Other than that, I took a vacation and enjoyed a week in somewhat cloudy, but lots of sunny Alaska. 251 00:22:12,420 --> 00:22:13,640 And happy to be back. 252 00:22:17,220 --> 00:22:18,320 Thank you, Councillor Bill. 253 00:22:21,740 --> 00:22:30,040 Agenda, the salmon enhancement festival, which is always a delight to see all the little 254 00:22:30,040 --> 00:22:35,880 kids put all the little fishes in the water as they head to Chapman Creek and go out 255 00:22:35,880 --> 00:22:36,520 to spawn. 256 00:22:36,920 --> 00:22:42,680 I think it's quite an event, I mean, it's incredible to see the number of people there, but 257 00:22:42,680 --> 00:22:49,820 also see the youngsters appreciate what salmon does for the biodiversity and ecology and 258 00:22:49,820 --> 00:22:56,000 the environment. I also attended a Davis Bay Elementary School Road Safety Blitz yesterday 259 00:22:56,760 --> 00:23:03,100 and on June 3rd and it was excellent. It was great to see all of, we had our staff there 260 00:23:03,100 --> 00:23:13,140 and district of seashell staff, by law officers, police and firemen there and so we just got a chance 261 00:23:13,140 --> 00:23:20,920 to observe what it was like to see when the school buses came in and the parents dropped 262 00:23:20,920 --> 00:23:29,300 the kids off and really just how easy it would be to just in a moment's glass, a glance, 263 00:23:29,620 --> 00:23:33,840 have an accident and to see someone hurt. So there's some work we need to do up there. 264 00:23:34,160 --> 00:23:38,580 We have our engineering staff there, which is fantastic. They're actually doing an observation. 265 00:23:39,160 --> 00:23:42,480 They have a co-op student there right now that's going to be up there in the morning and 266 00:23:42,480 --> 00:23:49,980 other times to observe the pattern and the behaviors of the people driving in that area and I think 267 00:23:49,980 --> 00:23:55,720 that will be very helpful for them to determine what that's going to look like in the future for the 268 00:23:55,720 --> 00:24:00,500 safety of the kids. There was another one at the West C. Shell Elementary School today so it's a great 269 00:24:00,500 --> 00:24:06,400 initiative. It's happy to be a part of it and to see the whole community behind this. Thank you. 270 00:24:06,400 --> 00:24:21,020 Thank you. Okay, I've got a number of things to raise. First of all, you'll see in the lobby. We have a consultation and have your say on this building. 271 00:24:21,920 --> 00:24:31,080 There's a public event. I think Friday, three o'clock to seven o'clock here and in the farmer's market on Saturday. 272 00:24:31,080 --> 00:24:36,000 So a chance to give your input into what we, what you think we should be doing with this building. 273 00:24:37,080 --> 00:24:42,660 I want to also acknowledge staff for getting the tax notices mailed out on Monday. 274 00:24:43,020 --> 00:24:52,020 I did have some calls late last week and I saw somebody today who was quite overjoyed to get his tax bill, 275 00:24:52,180 --> 00:24:56,100 but that's what we kind of expect, but it's a huge job. 276 00:24:56,100 --> 00:25:02,600 and I do want to say thanks for dealing with the uncertainty of the post office situation. 277 00:25:04,280 --> 00:25:11,080 I attended GMF Council meeting remotely last week. I attended a celebration of life 278 00:25:11,080 --> 00:25:17,800 for a dear friend and mentor in Hong Kong. Again, remotely. We had a public hearing last 279 00:25:17,800 --> 00:25:24,380 week and also an interesting discussion about transit planning at the intergovernmental meeting 280 00:25:24,380 --> 00:25:34,560 at the SCRD or MLA Randy Neal spoke to the Chamber of Commerce on Friday and told us what's 281 00:25:34,560 --> 00:25:44,240 going on as a new MLA. And last night I had an APC meeting that I attended to learn 282 00:25:44,240 --> 00:25:53,040 a bit about proposed Tibetan Meditation Center, right, close to this building. And a real 283 00:25:53,040 --> 00:25:59,120 treat today we entertained and welcomed two young ladies O.J. and Scarlett who were 284 00:25:59,120 --> 00:26:05,720 mayors for the day. And so council would be happy to know we had a discussion and debated 285 00:26:05,720 --> 00:26:12,580 the issues and they have we voted and it wasn't unanimous but I think at the end we all 286 00:26:12,580 --> 00:26:19,120 supported and that is that we need a bowling alley and it's to be located in Wilson Creek. 287 00:26:19,120 --> 00:26:26,420 week. So that was a fascinating process in a 15-minute discussion to hear the kids discuss 288 00:26:26,420 --> 00:26:34,480 whether it should be true story, Pam, whether it should be in toonic, or anyways they settled 289 00:26:34,480 --> 00:26:41,820 on Wilson Creek. And finally, I want to congratulate Gracie Hemstreet, our own Gracie, who became 290 00:26:41,820 --> 00:26:48,480 the first Canadian woman to win a downhill mountain biking world cup event. So, way to go Gracie 291 00:26:48,480 --> 00:26:54,560 and hopefully when she's not on tour, we'll be able to congratulate her. 292 00:26:56,180 --> 00:27:06,540 Yeah. So those are the good things. Another one to flag is about community safety. 293 00:27:07,100 --> 00:27:13,100 As council knows, but I think most of you would know. About ten days ago, there were some 294 00:27:13,100 --> 00:27:18,340 multiple incidents, including a home invasion and assault with a weapon. 295 00:27:20,610 --> 00:27:21,390 I'm happy to report 296 00:27:21,390 --> 00:27:28,410 charges have been recommended by the RCMP, who by the way responded very promptly. The suspect 297 00:27:28,410 --> 00:27:34,410 is out on bail with conditions to not go to the neighborhood. But meanwhile, the victims 298 00:27:34,410 --> 00:27:41,370 have been traumatized, and one was physically injured as were two RCMP officers, all of 299 00:27:41,370 --> 00:27:43,630 with what we tend to call minor injuries. 300 00:27:45,090 --> 00:27:48,530 And I'm just so frustrated with how things are going. 301 00:27:48,810 --> 00:27:51,390 I'm frustrated and I'm angry. 302 00:27:51,590 --> 00:27:53,650 I think this society we've lost our way. 303 00:27:55,310 --> 00:27:57,490 Surely the minimum we can expect 304 00:27:58,010 --> 00:28:00,450 and our residents can expect is to feel safe 305 00:28:00,450 --> 00:28:01,350 in their own homes. 306 00:28:03,250 --> 00:28:06,450 So I think council, we have to ramp up our efforts. 307 00:28:07,090 --> 00:28:09,370 You know, the community safety committee has been working, 308 00:28:09,370 --> 00:28:15,310 But we've got to get much more focused on how do we protect our residents. 309 00:28:16,130 --> 00:28:23,330 And that has with the earlier discussion around the immigration relates to us advocating 310 00:28:23,330 --> 00:28:25,150 for what's good for our community. 311 00:28:28,470 --> 00:28:34,210 Second thing is to respond to the letter that was published last week, signed by five counselors. 312 00:28:35,510 --> 00:28:49,690 I'm not sure where, but my message in that, of course, the communication that I put out on social media was to encourage people to run for office and expressing my personal views on Bill 15 that was before the provincial legislature. 313 00:28:50,630 --> 00:29:01,310 So where the idea that somehow is referring to the governance audit or to anything to do with staff, 314 00:29:02,890 --> 00:29:10,310 it's not accurate so I stand by the and I encourage people to look at 315 00:29:10,310 --> 00:29:15,690 running I encourage people to get to know what bill 15 might mean for us but 316 00:29:15,690 --> 00:29:19,410 the governance audit you know that was raised in the letter is not one of the 317 00:29:19,410 --> 00:29:24,950 issues that I was referring to I hope that council the council let's say they 318 00:29:24,950 --> 00:29:30,030 want to deal with the governance audit it was issued a year ago that you'll 319 00:29:30,030 --> 00:29:34,970 actually decide to proceed with implementing the other recommendations that have been waiting. 320 00:29:38,520 --> 00:29:45,300 I get that people are upset on council but you know we've got some important things to do and 321 00:29:45,300 --> 00:29:51,640 I think that things like what I reference victim safety, caring for the folks in the room 322 00:29:52,440 --> 00:29:56,040 and advocating on so many fronts is what we really need to do. 323 00:30:00,620 --> 00:30:01,760 That is my report. 324 00:30:05,640 --> 00:30:24,560 Council, I think that brings us to the end of our agenda. So, I will entertain a motion to adjourn. Second, all the favour. Here adjourned. Now, we can go to questions if there are any from the public. We have anybody? Yes, anybody online? 325 00:30:29,760 --> 00:30:31,800 Okay. There are two online.