News Release - September 14, 2018

RDN Report on UBCM Meetings with Provincial Ministers

Several Regional District of Nanaimo (RDN) Directors were in Whistler this week for the annual Union of British Columbia Municipalities (UBCM) Convention. RDN representatives advocated on behalf of the region on important issues including enhancing active transportation, using rainwater as a potable source and the RDN's Solid Waste Management Plan. Representatives met with Provincial Ministers to move discussions forward. Below is a summary of each of those meetings.

Regional Districts Come Together to Discuss Active (human-powered) Transportation with the Minister

On September 10th, a meeting was held with the Honourable Claire Trevena, the Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure (MoTI) and elected representatives from the Regional District of Nanaimo, Cowichan Valley Regional District, Comox Valley Regional District, Sunshine Coast Regional District and qathet Regional District. The meeting was to discuss active transportation which is any kind of transportation that is human-powered such as walking, pushing a wheelchair, cycling etc. Discussions focused specifically on the current challenges with urban pressures in a rural setting such as amenities and infrastructure for pedestrians including paths, sidewalks and trails within MoTI road allowances.

The meeting confirmed that the Regional Districts remain committed to continue to work collaboratively with Ministry staff to develop protocols for constructing and maintaining enhanced future active transportation infrastructure. The Chairs of these Regions, working through the Association of Vancouver Island Coastal Communities, requested the meeting with the Minister in order to express their continued interest in addressing community need. The population represented by these regions is over 500,000 people, many of whom live in rural areas.

Progress Update on Rainwater as a Potable Water Source

On September 12th, RDN representatives met with the Minister of Health, Adrian Dix, to discuss the challenges of securing water in the Regional District and Gulf Islands and to request the Province develop guidance and standards to permit the use of rainwater as a potable water source for small water systems. The RDN has been very active in advancing this request and Howard Houle, Director for Gabriola and surrounding islands presented the issue to the Minister, providing experiences from his community of Gabriola.

Now that Canadian standards have been released, the RDN looks forward to working with the Province to develop provincial standards for small water systems in BC.

Solid Waste Management Plan

On September 12th, RDN representatives met with the Honourable George Heyman, Minister of Environment and Climate Change Strategy to discuss the RDN's Solid Waste Management Plan which targets a 90 per cent waste reduction goal by 2028. The Plan was passed by the Board in June and subsequently sent to the Minister for his approval. The Minister heard about the significant contribution of the advisory committee - a public committee that represents the diversity of the RDN and that guided development of the Plan. The Minister was also advised of the extensive public consultation and the community commitment to advance "zero waste".

The Minister also heard about the areas where the RDN will require additional authority from the Provincial Government, providing the RDN the necessary tools to meet the goals set out in the Plan. The expected timeline for the Minister to consider the Plan is nine to 12 months.