While every elected official can be a champion of change, no lone Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) has sole responsibility for the province’s decisions. Ours, Nicholas Simons, has revealed his name won’t be on next October’s election ballots and Coast Reporter extends our thanks to him for his years of service to this community.
The news also prompted reflection on how actions supported by the B.C. government have impacted the southern Sunshine Coast since 2005, during his time with the party in power and in opposition.
Changes that pop to mind include Sechelt hospital’s expansion and major modernizations at Gibsons and West Sechelt Elementary schools. The Foundation Agreement with the shíshálh Nation was enshrined, the Sunshine Coast Community Forest’s licence was granted and minimum wage rates went from $8 to $16.65 an hour. Supportive housing projects were built in both municipalities and our airport runway was expanded. More seniors housing at Christenson Village and Greenecourt opened and a complex to replace two aged-out seniors care homes nears completion. And that’s a quick review. Multiple grants to help build community infrastructure have flowed our way and decisions benefiting the lives of B.C. residents through a range of programs were made.
But key concerns for Coasters faced struggles securing provincial government traction. Critical expansion of regional water supply from Chapman Lake hit a snag in 2019 when the senior government refused to adjust Tetrahedron Park boundaries. While provincial dollars have been invested in water related projects, the complexities of its regulatory systems (which maintain essential safeguards) have delayed other supply enhancement projects. Decision makers in Victoria haven’t demonstrated that they see the Coast’s ongoing water crisis at the same level of urgency as locals.
Ditto for issues related to Highway 101 and BC Ferries services. Little has changed for either of those Coast transportation links in the past 18 years. That despite population growth in the SCRD (at 27,700 in 2006 and 32,100 in 2021 per Canada census) and the ballooning popularity of the area as a tourism destination.
On the policy side, privatization of seniors’ care continued while an active group of locals voiced their opposition. Critics of forestry, mineral as well as oil and gas sector regulations press and are still seeking provincial movement to bring those into step with the need for environmental protections.
Mentions of historically inadequate local government funding levels have come up more frequently of late at Coast board and council meetings. Then there are the downloading concerns that run the gamut from the impacts of the toxic drug crisis and other health system shortcomings, issues of housing affordability and homelessness, as well as the ravages of climate change on community infrastructure and services.
This nowhere-near exhaustive recount reveals opportunities to build on the positives and address somewhat neglected areas for anyone interested in becoming our next MLA. On the near horizon, decisions about solid waste disposal for the Coast will need the province’s involvement.
Oct. 19, 2024 is to be voting day with the province committing to improve how that is conducted.
It’s up to Coast residents to elect and hold any new provincial representative accountable. That requires candidate names on their ballots …any takers?
