Pat Preston

More than a year ago—October, 2012—the Minister of Community, Sport and Cultural Development agreed to fund a governance study for Salt Spring Island. All three elected officials’ platforms included supporting such a study. Following the minister’s agreement that a study “to review the current state of governance and identify the general implications of a change in structure for citizens and service providers,” a committee of volunteers was named and work began on developing terms of reference for a consultant to undertake research and public engagement. Now, in November, the process will be complete when the committee receives the final report from the consultants and makes a recommendation to the minister as to whether there is public support to proceed with a full municipal incorporation study. The committee will gauge the level of public interest based on data and input presented in the consultants’ final report. In addition, the committee will review and consider the re…

The Governance Study Committee is in the final stages of the process that began in March, 2012 after the Provincial government agreed to a governance study. Now that we are close to presenting our recommendation, it is more important than ever that you let us know your views. After your Thanksgiving celebrations, please take 10 minutes to complete our second and final survey. We have extended the date to OCTOBER 18 to give you plenty of time after the holiday weekend to do so. And please urge your friends, family and colleagues to do the same. The survey is available at www.ssigovernancestudy.ca and at the PARC office on Vesuvius Bay Road, the public library and the Fulford Post Office. Governance is too important to let others determine our future. Visit our website to get a clear understanding of the current governance situation on the island and the general implications of a change for citizens and service providers. The website identifies the main differences between …

The Salt Spring Governance Study Committee is asking the public for input for the report it will submit to the BC Government later this year. “Our website (ssigovernancestudy.ca) is fully operational, our informational fact sheets and our first public survey are now available for island residents and property owners to examine and respond,” Pat Preston, communications coordinator said. The purpose of the study, announced by the BC government in 2012, is to engage the public in a review all governance structures on the island and outline the differences between rural unincorporated) and municipal (incorporated) local governments. “Engaging the public in discussion around issues and potential challenges facing the island are extremely important,” she added. Urban Systems, the consulting firm hired to assist with public engagement, will interview representatives of key community organizations in mid-August. The first public forum is set for August 19 at 6:30 pm in the Com…

The Salt Spring Governance Committee has named Urban Systems, an independently owned firm with 11 offices across Canada, as the consulting firm to undertake a governance study for the island. Under the direction of the Study Committee, a volunteer group of 11 island residents, Urban Systems will study the socio-economic conditions and governance structures on Salt Spring. They will also elicit feedback from residents and property owners regarding their level of understanding of and difference between rural/regional and municipal governments. Urban Systems will use public engagement, interviews, surveys, interactive polling and public forums to complete an interim report by the end of October. The public will be able to comment on the report prior to the completion of a final report in mid-November. The committee will submit the final report to the Minister of Community, Sport and Cultural Development and, depending on whether there is sufficient community support, will re…