Mayor Davis’ report October 6

In mid September I attended the Union of BC Municipalities Annual Convention along with Councillors Lenahan and Northcott, along with our CAO. It is where elected representatives attend seminars, network with representatives from other communities, and meet with provincial agencies to advocate for our communities. 

For me, it started with an agricultural study tour in the lower mainland, where we saw first hand current practises for how our crops are grown, water is managed and the latest in greenhouse technologies. We also heard first hand from farmers what their issues and challenges are, much of which circles back to how politics and business practises influence the viability of farming as an institution in our province.

Our meetings with government agencies actually began the week before as many have moved to an online format, much as we did during covid. The topics in both weeks included: 

* accessibility funding for local governments;
* addressing medical transportation gaps;
* improvements in assisted living;
* providing a service navigator resource for the elderly to simplify interactions with government;
* building affordable and accessible housing as well as addressing unrealistic housing target projections imposed on Tahsis;
* formalizing flood and viewscape protections around town;
* securing last mile funding to complete our fibre optic hookups as previously promised; 
* advocating for broadened cell service coverage on Highways 28 and 19 to improve safety;
* improving road condition including effective repairs when the sealcoating is damaged;
* management issues around the Leiner campsite including longterm squatters deterring tourism;
* issues regarding future development in town on hogfuel infill areas, needing wide area approvals in principle to reduce red tape;
* instituting geolocated crash data collection on the Head Bay Road to better target improvements in road condition and safety;
* securing renewed strategic investment in the Island Coastal Economic Trust to ensure its financial sustainability in future;
* lobbying for construction of a new long term care facility in Campbell River to meet current and future needs. Our regional Health Board that I represent Tahsis on has already committed $53 million to this project and we are looking for a provincial commitment to their share.
* improved funding model for libraries in rural and remote communities.