We are thankful that our elected representatives have finally come out and clearly stated that they are opposed to the dumping of contaminated soil into the Shawnigan watershed.  What is not clear is what they are going to actual do about it.

Between the long and convoluted resolution by Doctor Director Fraser and the submissive and gentle missive sent to the Ministry by our CVRD Chair, Rob Hutchins, many in the community are beginning to wonder if the CVRD Board is really committed to seeing their declared intent to stop the dumping of contaminated soil succeed.

The Board’s repeatedly said that this is a provincial issue and they do not have jurisdiction.  The Ministry of Environment has repeatedly said that the only entity that has the power to stop this application is the CVRD.  No one has ever said that this is a good idea other than the proponents and they may be a bit biased.

To sum up, the community does not want it, the CVRD has said they don’t want it, MOE has said give us a reason to say no and the proponent says it is the greatest idea since the invention of the wheel.  This is where it sits.

Words are cheap.  What is our CVRD doing to ensure that their wishes and more importantly the wishes and concerns of the people they represent are being fulfilled to the best of their ability?

Where is the communication?  Where is the collaborative approach that is so often talked about but so rarely evoked?  Where is the action that goes with the words?

If our Directors are feeling a little out of their depths they could try listening to what the people have been trying to tell them.