David Courtney

Mitigating Septage Transportation Costs and Tipping Fees To Victoria

August 20, 2026

Proposal to the Salt Spring Island - Local Community Commission and CRD Staff.

Presented by David Courtney, Burgoyne Bay Farm, Salt Spring Island, BC on Thursday, August 20, 2026 before the CRD Director, LCC Commissioners and CRD Staff.

Subject: Method to Mitigate Liquid Waste Trucking Costs to Vancouver Island, BC

Background:

In August 2023 - Dr. Troy Vassos,Technical Director of Integrated Sustainability presented his Report to the LCC and recommended 4 methods by which we could potentially Dewater our Septage and WWTP Sludge at the Burgoyne Bay Facility.

Subsequently there was Geo Tube Type Trial and I suggested researching the method of using Reed Beds, as a carry over from the work conducted by Chair Peter Lake and the Liquid Waste Committee, circa 2015. The Final Draft of the High Level Report in the Fall of 2025 prepared by CRD Staff questioned the projected costs of $3.7 Mil and the dispersal of sec…

Voting Begins April 8th & Saturday April 11. You Have Choices - Consider Courtney & The New Guard Candidates

Update April 7, 2026 As Trustee at both the SSIFID and the NSSWD, the term Trustee to me represents the “Trust” Ratepayers place upon you. To respect your Duty of Care and Fiduciary Duty to Ratepayers, among the other various duties. During my last 3 years at the Fire District, I've endeavoured to endorse Fiscal Responsibility, Integrity, Credibility and Respect for Transparency & Accountability. In my 42 year career at the Airline, we operate on SOP’s (Standard Operating Procedures), Mitigating Risk and Safety Is Always Paramount. In much the same fashion our Professional Firefighters perform their duties on a daily basis here on island. In the Campaign Material from the current Olde Guard Chair and Trustee, there has been no mention of same. I believe there’s a reason and it stems from the Campaign for the New Fire Hall Referendum, in the lead up to the Vote on June 30, 2022. The New Fire Hall was pitched by the current Chair as a modest, no frills, 2 Bay, 11,500 Sq …

Now Is Time for Positive Change - Transparency & Accountability! Elect Courtney and the Two New Candidates to the Fire Improvement District - Board of Trustees.

April 3, 2026 SSIFID Trustee David Courtney Incumbent. Candidate for a second 3 year Term as Trustee. Dear Fellow SSIFID Ratepayers, We came to Salt Spring Island in 1999, when we purchased a small cabin. I’m currently coming to the end of my 3 Yr Term as a Trustee at the SSIFID and going into year 3 at the North Salt Spring Water District. My time at both SSIFID and NSSWD has proven insightful as to how we function or don’t at times as Improvement Districts, within our current Governance Model. NSSWD conducted a 3 Party Survey in February of 2025, 84% of the Respondents suggested that Improved Governance would improve the Quality of Life for all Salt Springers. As we are about to Celebrate the New State of The Art Fire Hall No 1, due to the diligent efforts of our Fire Chief, CAO and Owner’s Agent. It will be adorned with an amazing new to us 75’ Ladder Truck. As Community, we owe a debt of gratitude to the Anonymous Donor and the Fire Chief & CAO for putting the …

Salt Spring Island Improvement Districts - Referendums - A Dark Art?

March 7, 2026 Part 3 Example 1 SSFID - Salt Spring Island Fire Improvement District On June 30, 2022 - Engaged Fire District Ratepayers went to the Polls and Voted on the following question: "Should the Salt Spring Island Fire Protection District be given authority to borrow a maximum of $9.7 million dollars over a period not longer than 25 years to fund the construction of a new fire hall?" In the lead up to the Vote the Chair engaged the services of a local 3rd Party Marketing Firm. The New Fire Hall was marketed as a No Frills, Modest 2 Bay Fire Hall at 11,500 Sq Ft in size. The overall cost $13.7 Million or $1191/Sq Ft. We were told when the cost per sq ft was questioned as being excessive – “This is what these things cost” in May of 2022 at an ASK Session, with the Chair and Marketing Team present. The Campaign Slogan was - “No New Taxes”. Since then a lot of water under the bridge and lot of other stuff too, over the last 45 months since the June 2022 R…

NSSWD Trustee David Courtney’s Response to Chair Brian Pyper, Trustees Sandra Ungerson, Elizabeth FitzZaland and Steve Lam

Dear Fellow NSSWD Ratepayers, As stated several times before, over my 22 month tenure as a Trustee at the NSSWD, we have a Good Team. The issue for me as a Trustee came on January 16,2026, when Staff brought forward a Water Treatment Plant with a Project Cost of $16.6Mil, instead of the Referendum Budget of $14.6Mil. That’s where this rupture began with my fellow Trustee’s, over a $2Mil cost overrun before the Project even begins. It’s been less than 10 months since the May 2025 Referendum. In contrast, I sit as a Trustee at the SSIFID. The Fire Hall Referendum Budget was $13.7Mil on June 30, 2022. We are well into our Contingency Fund at $13Mil, after 45 months into the construction process. With about 3 months to go, the Board will finish under the Referendum Budget of $13.7Mil, barring any unforeseen costs between now and May 3, 2026. How did they accomplish this? By having an Architect, separate from the Project Manager/Owner’s Agent, separate from the Construction …

Should Ratepayers Hold Their Local Board of Trustees Fiscally Responsible, Transparent and Accountable in Honouring Their Referendums?

February 11, 2026 Part 1 Should Ratepayers hold their local Board of Trustees Fiscally Responsible, Transparent and Accountable in Honouring their Referendums? The North Salt Spring Water District (NSSWD) held a Referendum in May of 2025 to build the Maxwell Lake - Water Treatment Plant at a cost of $14.6 Million, which allowed the borrowing of $11.7 Million. It was passed by a portion of the Water District’s approximately 1857 Ratepayers. On September 25, 2025 the Water District’s Board of Trustees unanimously approved the Final Class A Estimate of $14.2Mil to build the Plant. Instead of Tendering for a Project Manager or Owner’s Agent to provide oversight, Staff elected to overlook that protocol and left those duties to the Engineering Firm who has designed the Plant. Thus begun the Tendering process for a General Contractor last Fall and concluded on December 12, 2025. At the December 18, 2025 General Meeting Staff advised that the Engineering Firm who designed…

Liberal Candidate - David Beckham Offers Full Support for the $6Mil Federal Grant Submission for the Lake Maxwell - Water Treatment Plant

April 20, 2025 Seeking Referendum Support on May 8th to Approve Maxwell Lake WTP Loan The District is seeking ratepayer support to fund the proposed Maxwell Lake water treatment plant (WTP). The WTP cost preliminary estimate is $12.7M plus contingency costs and an $11.7M loan authorization is required from ratepayers. District staff have developed a financial strategy to minimize the costs to ratepayers and have pursued a federal grant that would reduce the cost by $6M. "Disclaimer - These opinions are that of the Author and do not represent those of the Board of Trustees or Employees of the NSSWD - North Salt Spring Water District." Liberal Candidate - David Beckham has offered his full support for the $6Mil Grant from the Federal Government. (See letter below) David Courtney, Trustee Salt Spring Island Water and Fire Improvement Districts Dear David, Thank you for reaching out to me and providing me with background information on the recent…

Should Elected LCC Commissioners Assume the Role of Advocating for Improvements with BC Ferries?

Patrons of Route 6 Vesuvius Bay - Crofton In June of 2021 a small group of individuals came together and formed an ad hoc advocacy group to campaign for improved service and infrastructure for Vesuvius Bay and Crofton. It wasn’t so much that BC Ferries had neglected us, it was more like they had completely abandoned us with the introduction of the MV Quinitsa. This after concerned warnings from regular Patrons and most importantly the Commercial Operators who provide our essential goods and services. What unfolded was an unmitigated disaster. BC Ferries Mgt refused to listen to their FAC, their Patrons but more importantly the employees who were deployed on the service and live in our Community. December 21, 2024 marks the 3rd Anniversary of the Petition - “The Fix for Route Six”, 2257 signatories strong, which is still active. It was encouraging to have the support and signatures of some Members of the Ferry Advisory Committee. In April of 2022 MLA Adam Olsen invited …

Trustee Candidate - David Courtney - North Salt Spring Water District

The Water District posted a review of the Candidates Q & A from April 10th on their website. It was well done by the CAO, Manager and Moderator. Of course they brought forward questions. The Big One - what are the most serious issues for you; 1. Resolving the Pending $40 Million Law Suit with Channel Ridge. 2. That goes hand in hand with lifting the 10 year Moratorium on water hook ups. 3. Continue to address and localize the water leaks throughout the piping system to prevent upwards of a 20% water loss. 4. Campaign to ensure the recent $10Mil Grant that came unexpectedly from the Provincial Government is spent wisely. It would be an Honour to serve the ~1850 Ratepayers of the NSSWD, the current Board of Trustees and Staff. From my perspective over the last 2 years there's been 5 significant changes that place the Water District on a mission for positive change and effectiveness. Reminder - Don't forget to Vote - Polls close 2 May 2024. Thank you, David Co…

Opinion: Part 3 - Should Salt Spring Ratepayers have a choice in the design and build of our New Fire Hall?

Does the current Firehall Plan that the Chair of the SSI Fire Improvement District (SSIFID) - Board of Trustees has tabled have the Ratepayers of Salt Spring Island needlessly committed to a 2 Bay, 11,500 Sq Ft Fire Hall at a cost of $20.6 Million? This was brought up by a Fellow Ratepayer who is concerned about costs as well. If the Cumberland Fire Hall Plan was chosen, it immediately provides a cost saving of $4 Million to the Chair’s Plan. Here’s the interesting part, the reduction in debt financing on $4 Million over a 20 year amortization period saves Ratepayers approximately $4 Million. Total cost saving of ~$8 Million Dollars for Salt Spring Ratepayers. With the current inflation situation and the housing crisis, this not an insignificant cost saving that our Fire Board Chair refuses to acknowledge. Our Fire Hall is quickly garnering the dubious distinction of being the most costliest Rural - 2 Bay Firehall not only in BC but Canada and quite possibly North America. …

Opinion: Part 2 - Should Salt Spring Ratepayers have a choice in the design and build of our New Fire Hall?

Fellow Ratepayers this a supplementary to the Opinion of September 13, 2023, here on the Exchange. We received our professional opinion of costs to duplicate the Village of Cumberland - Fire Hall on Friday, October 6, 2023. Before we get into it, please refer to Part 1 first which was submitted to the Exchange on September 13, 2023, for a recap and review. On September 14, 2023, the Salt Spring Island Fire Improvement District held a Town Hall to disclose the Budget for 2024, 5 Yr Strategic Plan and our Fire Chief provided an overview of the New Fire Hall Plan, 14 1/2 Months after the approval of a $13.7 Mil Budget by Referendum. Approximately 35 Residents/Guests were present. Due to the seating arrangements and no microphones in use, most in the room couldn’t hear a number of the speakers. As a Fire Board Trustee acting as Ratepayer Advocate, I stood up at the meeting to disclose the Merits of Plan B in 3 minutes, most couldn’t hear me. When I turned and spoke to…

Opinion: Should Salt Spring ratepayers have a choice in the design and build of the new fire hall?

On June 30, 2022, Salt Spring Island ratepayers affirmed the Referendum to approve $13.7 million dollars to build a new long overdue Fire Hall under the proviso - “No New Taxes”. Depending on how you spin the numbers the return was 75% voted in favour, which sounds impressive. There were 7588 Ratepayers eligible to vote, of those 2608 voted in favour and 864 opposed, with 4,116 or 54.3% who simply chose not to Vote. Ultimately 34% of eligible ratepayers passed the referendum, not so impressive. At the regularly scheduled Meeting of the Fire Board on Monday, August 21, 2023, as a Fire Board Trustee, I attempted to introduce 2 motions (see addendum below) 1. Spend Ratepayers Taxes Wisely. 2. Allow Ratepayers to have a Choice between 2 Fire Hall Designs - Plan A and Plan B. Neither Motion received a Seconder so the Motions never reached the floor for discussion. Clearly, my 6 Fellow Trustees had discussed how they would treat the Motions prior to the Meeting. Let’s leave…

Opinion: Today, tomorrow and into the future - Candidate David Courtney for Local Community Commission Commissioner

We are cleared for take off without delay! Well, we are currently Day 26 on the Election Campaign Trail. In 4 short days it will all be wrapped up. The true work begins on May 29th for the inaugural 4 Commissioners elected for next 3 1/2 years. For me this has been a very interesting and pleasant experience. Just listening to the electorate, the different agencies and my fellow candidates has been extremely thought provoking. All 15 Candidates have their own subtle differences in attacking the issues but there’s a common theme - “Workforce Housing”, is a top priority! I’ve chosen 6 areas when it comes to Public Safety which may not capture the attention of some but I think they are very important to our Community. Some within the purview of the LCC Commissioners, others by simply turning up the volume in Advocating and Encouraging other Agencies to resolve an issue. 1. Lady Minto - The lack of Workforce Housing is starting to have a serious impact on our local health c…

Petition to fix the parking containment area at Fulford Harbour

BC Ferries, fix the parking containment area at Fulford Harbour and give the residents their quaint village back, free from traffic gridlock. The long-suffering Residents of Fulford Harbour and Patrons of Route 4 who use the Fulford Harbour to Swartz Bay Ferry Service deserve relief from the traffic gridlock during peak demand periods. Since the commissioning of the MV Skeena Queen - 25 years ago with its 92-vehicle capacity, when we have a full sailing, traffic is backed up to Beaver Point Rd. This Public Safety issue is not new, in fact, it's been going on for decades unabated. There are basically 2 options to enlarge the Parking Containment Area: The small parcel of land that BC Ferries purchased 15 years ago, along with an adjacent parcel currently privately owned on the righthand side of the Road entering the Terminal. Opposite to the Mercantile and Shops up the Road on the Southside. With the necessary approval process, which may take many years and then turn t…

Great news for BC Ferries Route 6 Vesuvius Bay - Crofton

We have a lot to be thankful for over this past Thanksgiving Weekend. BC Ferries in a Newsletter dated October 4, 2022 has sent their plans and proposals for the next 4 years along with a 12 year outlook to the BC Ferries Commissioner for approval. This includes the two new Ferry Terminals at Vesuvius Bay and Crofton. Along with the commissioning of 2 New Island Class Eco Ferries to provide the requested 2 Ferry Service. This will be identical to the 2 Ferry Service commissioned on Route 19 Nanaimo – Gabriola Island this past April. This is very welcomed news from BC Ferries. During peak daily travel times there will be a Ferry leaving every 35 Min. The move up to a 2 ferry service is 9 years - 2035 to 2026. "The Fix For Route Six” - Is In. Now the true work begins, keeping the proposal on the table, on time and seeing it through to fruition. Make no mistake this is a major breakthrough for our Community Ferry Service. The last time anything of magnitude was completed at Ves…

The fix for Route Six (Vesuvius-Crofton) is a two ferry service

For those of us that use Route 6 - Vesuvius Bay to Crofton on a regular basis - Students, Commercial Trucking, Contractors, Residents, Tourists and the Residents of Chaplin St. in Crofton the answer is unequivocal, there is insufficient capacity. In a recent letter from BCF Customer Relations on behalf of CEO Mark Collins it stated that they don’t expect Ridership to recover for the next 2 to 3 years over the effects of the Pandemic on business. They went on to state they anticipate that the MV Quinsam (vehicle capacity 63) which will be redeployed from Route 19 Nanaimo – Gabriola Island in the Spring of 2022 to Route 6 which they anticipate will serve capacity demand adequately until 2035 when the ship’s useful service life is complete at approximately 55 years of age. The above two comments by BCF Management are patently unreasonable given the current state of Ridership on Route 6. The actual data from BCF repudiates their own comments. From July thru October of this ye…

David Courtney

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