A delegation visiting Sunshine Coast Regional District (SCRD) directors for international aid funding unintentionally opened the floodgates to a debate over donations and water functions last week.
Residents Celia Fisher and Rev. Esther North appeared at the Sept. 22 corporate and administrative services committee on behalf of WaterCan, a Canadian charity helping the impovrished with access to clean water.
North and Fisher gave their presentation and focused on the Horn of Africa's current drought and political crisis, including Somalian refugees spilling into neighbouring Kenya, where WaterCan is established.
The women wrapped up the compelling presentation by asking for a donation towards WaterCan's "Our Communuty Can" campaign in 2012 and emphasized the WaterCan gala social to be held on the Coast next April will feature a visit by Margaret Trudeau, WaterCan's honourary president.
Gibsons Mayor Barry Janyk launched the campaign by donating $500 from the Towns' discretionary fund and challenged other municipal leaders to meet or beat the amount.
While SCRD directors agreed they wanted to support the organization, questions arose surrounding the issue of where the funding would come from.
West Howe Sound director Lee Turnbull suggested a grant-in-aid, but Roberts Creek director Donna Shugar expressed concern over the proposed method of funding.
"Is it our decision to make as to where our local tax payers dollars are going for international aid? I would say not. That is my concern. Is it appropriate to use tax dollars in that way?" asked Shugar.
Directors and SCRD staff engaged in a lengthy conversation, discussing the matter of previous donations from the grant-in-aid functions going towards Red Cross relief efforts in 2005 for the Asian tsunami as well as Hurricane Katrina.
Conversation continued, nearly turning into a debate over water. At one point, Turnbull brought up the issue of well number 1 in Gibsons and its water charging function, disagreeing with a charge being instrumented.
Staff steered the dialogue back to WaterCan, asking North and Fisher to come back with further information on the event and where a possible donation could be utilized.
UBCM prep
With the Union of British Columbia Municipalities (UBCM) conference drawing local government to the Lower Mainland this week, conversation turned to resolutions and what directors would bring forward to the annual meeting.
While directors have addressed many issues on the Coast, the following resolutions are being forwarded for discussion at UBCM: treaty advisory committee funding, bike lane sweeping, glass sponge reefs, illegal dumping, trapping regulations, BC Hydro fair compensation, maintenance funding for BC Parks, and the natural area tax exemption program.
With directors at UBCM this week, SCRD staff is planning their orientation for new and returning directors after the election.
John France, SCRD chief administrative officer, said the two-day orientation session would provide information on government practices, board meetings, policies, and legal issues.
