Sunshine Coast Regional District (SCRD) directors voted in favour of clarifying their referral process with Skwxwú7mesh (Squamish) Nation after shíshálh Nation director Keith Julius identified a gap in the existing process.
The issue of communication was raised during a July 12 committee meeting, when directors were considering an application for a variance permit for a residential property in West Howe Sound.
A referral was sent to Skwxwú7mesh Nation as part of the application but no comments were received by the time the application appeared before the committee. The staff report recommended granting the permit, subject to “comments received from Skwxwú7mesh Nation within the 60-day referral period.”
Director Julius asked for clarity regarding that stipulation, and in particular, whether an archeological assessment would be bypassed if the Nation didn’t reply.
SCRD planner Andrew Allen said, “Skwxwú7mesh Nation doesn’t have the same direct referral response relation with SCRD that shíshálh Nation does and when they do respond don’t consistently request an archeological review.”
Julius responded, “I would like them to know that. That if they don’t reply, there’s a possibility that nothing may be done.”
Gibsons director Jeremy Valeriote asked whether the explanation was included in this particular referral to Skwxwú7mesh Nation, to which staff said it was not.
Halfmoon Bay director Garry Nohr noted that the SCRD has been working on a protocol agreement with the Nation for a couple of years. “It would be nice to finish before the term is up,” he said.
Chair Bruce Milne introduced a motion to write a letter to Skwxwú7mesh Nation clarifying their approach on referrals. “In particular the fact that no further action would be taken if responses are not received, and perhaps inviting them to consider a standing response, such as we have with shíshálh.”
West Howe Sound director Ian Winn said he was “very supportive” of sending the letter. “What’s important to them is important for us to know so if we’re sending referrals we can either flag it or highlight it so it will come to their attention in the same manner we would the shíshálh Nation.”
The motion was carried unanimously.
