Minutes of a Meeting of the Capital Regional District Board

held Wednesday, January 8, 2014 in the Board Room, 625 Fisgard Street, Victoria, BC

PRESENT:

Directors: A. Bryson (Chair), D. Blackwell (Vice Chair), M. Alto, S. Brice, J. Brownoff, C. Coleman (for D. Fortin), L. Cross, T. Daly, V. Derman, B. Desjardins, C. Hamilton, G. Hill, D. Howe, M. Hicks, N. Jensen, P. Madoff (for B. Isitt), W. McIntyre, J. Mendum (1:33), W. Milne, J. Ranns, L. Seaton, L. Wergeland and G. Young

Staff: R. Lapham, Chief Administrative Officer; L. Hutcheson, General Manager, Parks and Environmental Services; D. Lokken, General Manager, Corporate Services; T. Robbins, General Manager, Integrated Water Services; M. Rachwalski, Acting General Manager, Planning and Protective Services; T. Whiting, Acting General Manager, Planning and Protective Services; A. Orr, Senior Manager, Corporate Communications; S. Santarossa, Corporate Officer, and S. Norton, Deputy Corporate Officer (Recorder)

ABSENT: Director: F. Leonard

The Chair called the meeting to order at 1:32 pm.

1. APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA

MOVED by Director Derman, SECONDED by Director Brice, That the agenda and supplementary agenda be approved. CARRIED

2. ADOPTION OF MINUTES OF DECEMBER 11, 2013

MOVED by Director Blackwell, SECONDED by Director Brice, That the minutes of the meeting of December 11, 2013 be adopted. CARRIED

Director Mendum entered the meeting at 1:33 pm.

3. REPORT OF THE CHAIR

1. Board Chair's Inaugural Speech

Chair Bryson delivered his inaugural address (attached).

2. Appointments

Chair Bryson advised that a listing of the Board standing committees and appointments to other Boards and Commissions had been distributed to all Directors, with appointments established as follows:

2014 BOARD AND COMMITTEE MEMBERSHIP

CAPITAL REGIONAL DISTRICT BOARD

• Chair: Alastair Bryson
• Vice Chair: Denise Blackwell
• All Directors

CAPITAL REGIONAL HOSPITAL DISTRICT BOARD

• Chair: Denise Blackwell
• Acting Chair: Alastair Bryson
• All Directors

COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE

• Chair: Alastair Bryson
• Vice Chair: Denise Blackwell
• All Directors

STANDING COMMITTEES

(Appointments made by Board Chair)

CORE AREA LIQUID WASTE MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE

• Chair: Geoff Young
• Vice Chair: Denise Blackwell
• Marianne Alto
• Susan Brice
• Judy Brownoff
• Vic Derman
• Barb Desjardins
• Dean Fortin
• Carol Hamilton
• Graham Hill
• Ben Isitt
• Nils Jensen (J. Herbert)
• Frank Leonard (V. Sanders)
• Lanny Seaton
• Leif Wergeland

ELECTORAL AREA SERVICES COMMITTEE

• Chair: Mike Hicks
• Vice Chair: Wayne McIntyre
• Dave Howe

ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES COMMITTEE

• Chair: Nils Jensen
• Vice Chair: Jane Mendum
• Denise Blackwell
• Judy Brownoff
• Vic Derman
• Barb Desjardins
• Carol Hamilton
• Ben Isitt
• Wayne McIntyre

FINANCE COMMITTEE

• Chair: Frank Leonard
• Vice Chair: Marianne Alto
• Denise Blackwell
• Susan Brice (Chair, Regional Parks Committee)
• Larry Cross
• Barb Desjardins (Chair, Planning, Transportation & Protective Services Committee)
• Dave Howe (rep. Electoral Area Services Committee)
• Nils Jensen (Chair, Environmental Services Committee)
• John Ranns
• Geoff Young (Chair, Core Area Liquid Waste Management Committee)

GOVERNANCE COMMITTEE

• Chair: Alastair Bryson
• Vice Chair: Susan Brice
• Denise Blackwell
• Judy Brownoff
• Frank Leonard
• Geoff Young

PLANNING, TRANSPORTATION & PROTECTIVE SERVICES COMMITTEE

• Chair: Barb Desjardins
• Vice Chair: Leif Wergeland
• Larry Cross
• Ted Daly
• Vic Derman
• Dean Fortin
• Carol Hamilton
• Graham Hill
• Wendal Milne
• John Ranns
• Lanny Seaton
• Leif Wergeland

REGIONAL PARKS COMMITTEE

• Chair: Susan Brice
• Vice Chair: Ted Daly
• Mike Hicks
• Dave Howe
• Ben Isitt
• Jane Mendum
• Lanny Seaton
• Leif Wergeland

TRANSPORTATION SELECT COMMITTEE

• Chair: Dean Fortin
• Vice Chair: Wendal Milne
• Denise Blackwell
• Judy Brownoff
• Larry Cross
• Barb Desjardins
• Carol Hamilton
• Frank Leonard
• Wayne McIntyre
• Geoff Young

Note: The Board Chair is an ex officio member of the above committees.

OTHER APPOINTMENTS

(Appointments made by Board Chair or Board)

ARTS COMMITTEE

(Appointments made by Board Chair)

• Township of Esquimalt: Councillor Meagan Brame
• District of Highlands: Councillor Allen Dobb
• District of Metchosin: Councillor Moralea Milne
• District of Oak Bay: Councillor Cairine Green
• District of Saanich: Councillor Vicki Sanders
• Town of Sidney: Councillor Marilyn Loveless
• City of Victoria: Councillor Pam Madoff
• Town of View Royal: Councillor David Screech (Chair)

CAPITAL REGION HOUSING CORPORATION BOARD

(Appointments made by Board Chair) Directors:

1. Larry Cross
2. Dave Howe
3. Ben Isitt
4. Leif Wergeland

Alternate Directors:

1. Marilyn Loveless
2. Sylvia Olsen
3. Chris Coleman (P. Madoff, L. Helps, S. Gudgeon, C. Thornton-Joe)
4. Paul Gerrard (N. Wade, V. Sanders, D. Murdock)

Community Member: Rick Cooper (January 1, 2014 to December 31, 2015)

FERRY ADVISORY COMMITTEES

(Appointments made by Board)

• Salt Spring Island Ferry Advisory Committee: Wayne McIntyre
• Southern Gulf Islands Ferry Advisory Committee: Dave Howe

GREATER VICTORIA COALITION TO END HOMELESSNESS

(Appointments made by Board)

1. Dean Fortin
2. Paul Gerrard
3. Vicki Sanders
4. Lillian Szpak
5. Charlayne Thornton-Joe

GREATER VICTORIA HARBOUR AUTHORITY BOARD

(Nomination made by Board Chair)

• Representative: Graham Hill (to September 25, 2014 as per GVHA request)

GREATER VICTORIA LABOUR RELATIONS ASSOCIATION

(Appointments made by Board)

• Representative: Larry Cross
• Alternate: Geoff Young

GULF ISLANDS NATIONAL PARK RESERVE ADVISORY BOARD

(Appointments made by Board)

• Representative: Dave Howe
• Alternate: Sylvia Olsen

ISLAND CORRIDOR FOUNDATION

(Appointment/nomination made by Board)

• Local Government Representative: Lanny Seaton
• Board Nominee: Ben Isitt (for April 17, 2014 ICF AGM)

MUNICIPAL FINANCE AUTHORITY

(Appointments made by Board - effective at MFA's AGM in March)

• Representative: Frank Leonard
• Alternate: Susan Brice
• Representative: Dave Howe
• Alternate: Larry Cross

REGIONAL HOUSING TRUST FUND COMMISSION

(Appointments made by Board Chair)

• District of Central Saanich: Councillor Alicia Cormier
• Township of Esquimalt: Councillor Dave Hodgins
• District of Metchosin: Councillor Larry Tremblay
• District of North Saanich: Councillor Elsie McMurphy
• District of Oak Bay: Councillor Cairine Green
• District of Saanich: Councillor Paul Gerrard
• Town of Sidney: Councillor Steve Price
• District of Sooke: Councillor Maja Tait
• City of Victoria: Councillor Charlayne Thornton-Joe
• Town of View Royal: Councillor John Rogers
• Salt Spring Island Electoral Area: Wayne McIntyre
• Southern Gulf Islands Electoral Area: Dave Howe

REGIONAL REPRESENTATIVE TO THE TREATY TABLE

(Appointment made by Board)

• Representative: Dave Howe
• Alternate: Mike Hicks

TRAFFIC SAFETY COMMISSION

(Appointments made by Board Chair)

• Representative: Leif Wergeland
• Alternate: Ben Isitt

VANCOUVER ISLAND REGIONAL LIBRARY BOARD

(Appointments made by Board)

• Juan de Fuca Electoral Area:
• Representative: Mike Hicks
• Alternate: Wally Vowles

MOVED by Director Blackwell, SECONDED by Director Milne, That the Board receive the appointments and endorse the nominations and appointments put forward. CARRIED

4. PRESENTATIONS/DELEGATIONS

1. Dale Henley, President, University of Victoria Alumni Association re Alumni Week - spoke to his request for the CRD to proclaim Uvic Alumni Week, February 2-8, 2014. Mr. Henley noted the contribution of the 31,000 alumni currently living in this region, and the activities planned during the week.

MOVED by Director Desjardins, SECONDED by Director Seaton, That the CRD Board proclaim February 2-8, 2014 as UVic Alumni Week in the Capital Regional District. CARRIED

2. Tony Heemskerk, Amalgamation Yes, re agenda item 8.2 - spoke in favour of the proposed motion requesting the CRD to ask the municipalities to place the following non-binding question on the municipal ballot in November 2014: Are you in favour of reducing the number of municipalities in Greater Victoria through amalgamation? Mr. Heemskerk provided background on the Capital Regional Municipal Amalgamation Society, including its formation and purpose. He highlighted the possible benefits of amalgamation, other amalgamations in BC, a petition being circulated with the same question, anecdotal public comment and Council responses to date. The delegation provided speaking notes which are on file at Legislative Services.

5. REPORTS OF COMMITTEES

5.1 CORE AREA LIQUID WASTE MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE - January 8, 2014

1. Draft Amendment 9 to the Core Area Liquid Waste Management Plan - Core Area Liquid Waste Treatment Program

During the discussion, the following issues were raised:

• language in Amendment 9 regarding biogas, innovation and climate change
• consultation process regarding Hartland landfill as the site for the biosolids energy centre
• possible flexibility by the Province regarding the 2018 deadline
• public consultation, science, and measurable benefits of the wastewater treatment plan

MOVED by Director Blackwell, SECONDED by Director Brice, That draft Amendment No. 9 to the Core Area Liquid Waste Management Plan, as amended, be approved and forwarded to the Minister of Environment for regulatory approval. CARRIED Derman, Desjardins, Hamilton, Hill OPPOSED

2. Seaterra Program Monthly Program and Budget Update - October, 2013

MOVED by Director Blackwell, SECONDED by Director Seaton, That the report be received for information. CARRIED

3. Environmental Impact Study of Core Area Wastewater Treatment Program Facilities - Terrestrial Environment Volume I of II

During the discussion, the following issues were raised:

• the policy change from an ESR (environmental and social review) to an EIS (environmental impact study)
• budget implications of the change from an ESR to an EIS
• public expectations of the study

MOVED by Director Blackwell, SECONDED by Director Brice,

1. That the Environmental Impact Study of Core Area Wastewater Treatment Program Facilities - Terrestrial Environment Volume I of II (October 2013) by TERA Environmental Consultant be received for information;
2. That staff be directed to forward the Environmental Impact Study of Core Area Wastewater Treatment Program Facilities - Terrestrial Environment Volume I of II (October 2013) to the Ministry of Environment; and
3. That staff be directed to share the Environmental Impact Study of Core Area Wastewater Treatment Program Facilities - Terrestrial Environment Volume I of II (October 2013) with the public by: advertising in the local newspapers that the study is available on the CRD website; forwarding the study to the Technical and Community Advisory Committee for information; and forwarding the study to the Aboriginal Initiatives Division for referral to appropriate First Nations. CARRIED

6. ADMINISTRATION REPORTS

6.1 Alternative Approval Process for Bylaw 3902 - Regional Water Supply Loan Authorization

MOVED by Director Derman, SECONDED by Director Milne, a) That in accordance with Section 86(3) of the Community Charter, the date of March 3, 2014 be established as the deadline by which elector responses, under the Alternative Approval Process for CRD Bylaw No. 3902, must be submitted to the CRD by qualified electors within the Regional Water Supply local service area of the Capital Regional District; b) That the attached Notice of Alternative Approval Process and the Elector Response Form be approved; and c) That in accordance with Section 801(4) of the Local Government Act, approval of the electors of Bylaw No. 3902 be authorized in the entire service area, which is comprised of all municipalities within the Capital Regional District, including Central Saanich, Colwood, Esquimalt, Highlands, Langford, Metchosin, North Saanich, Oak Bay, Saanich, Sidney, Sooke, Victoria and View Royal and Juan de Fuca Electoral Area. CARRIED

6.2 Parcel Tax Roll Review Panel

MOVED by Director McIntyre, SECONDED by Director Howe, That the following be appointed to the Parcel Tax Roll Review Panel on matters of parcel taxes for the year 2014 to be held on Wednesday, 12 March 2014 at 12:00 pm in Room 651 of the Capital Regional District offices, 625 Fisgard Street, Victoria, BC. CHAIR: Alastair Bryson DIRECTORS: David Howe, Southern Gulf Islands Electoral Area Wayne McIntyre, Salt Spring Island Electoral Area Mike Hicks, Juan de Fuca Electoral Area CARRIED

6.3 2014 Supplementary Budget Approvals

MOVED by Director Blackwell, SECONDED by Director Alto, That it be authorized that the expenditures relating to the following supplementary items included in the 2014 Financial Plan be incurred starting in January 2014:

• Legislative & General Government - Human Resources - $85,850
• 3.71X Trunk Sewers and Sewage Disposal - $44,000
• Regional Water Supply - $90,000; and That the additional staffing resources included in the core budget of the 2014 Financial Plan be authorized effective January 2014 as follows:
• Legislative and Information Services
• Seaterra Program CARRIED

6.4 2014 Board Standing Committees - Terms of Reference

The rationale for the change in scope of the Finance Committee was discussed.

MOVED by Director Blackwell, SECONDED by Director Mendum, That the terms of reference for the 2014 Board Standing Committees be received as attached in Appendix A and that the terms of reference be referred to the respective Standing Committees for review and approval. CARRIED

6.5 Grants-In-Aid

MOVED by Director McIntyre, SECONDED by Director Howe, That the following grants-in-aid application be approved for payment: Salt Spring Island Electoral Area Grants-in-Aid as approved by Director McIntyre a. Salt Spring Island Historical Society: $1,500 CARRIED

6.6 Bylaw 3935, "Temporary Borrowing (General Purpose) No. 1, 2014"

MOVED by Director Derman, SECONDED by Director Wergeland, That Bylaw No. 3935, "Temporary Borrowing (General Purpose) No. 1, 2014", in the amount of $10,000,000, be introduced and read a first and second time. CARRIED

MOVED by Director Derman, SECONDED by Director Wergeland, That Bylaw No. 3935 be read a third time. CARRIED

MOVED by Director Derman, SECONDED by Director Wergeland, That Bylaw No. 3935 be adopted. CARRIED

7. BYLAWS AND RESOLUTIONS

7.1 Appointments to CRD Committees and Commissions

MOVED by Director Daly, SECONDED by Director Cross,

That the following officials be appointed to the Royal and McPherson Theatres Society Board for a term to expire December 31, 2014: Councillor P. Madoff, City of Victoria; Councillor P. Gerrard, District of Saanich; Councillor C. Green, District of Oak Bay;

That the following officials be appointed to the Peninsula Recreation Commission for a term to expire December 31, 2014: Councillor C. Jensen, District of Central Saanich; (Alternate) Councillor C. Ounsted, District of Central Saanich; Councillor C. Mearns, District of North Saanich; (Alternate) Councillor C. Stock, District of North Saanich;

That the following officials be appointed to the Saanich Peninsula Wastewater Commission for a term to expire December 31, 2014: Councillor Z. King, District of Central Saanich; (Alternate) Councillor R. Windsor, District of Central Saanich; Councillor E. McMurphy, District of North Saanich; (Alternate) Councillor C. Mearns, District of North Saanich. CARRIED

8. MOTIONS FOR WHICH NOTICE HAS BEEN GIVEN

8.1 Notice of Motion - Federation of Canadian Municipalities Plan to Fix the Housing Crunch - Director Alto

MOVED by Director Alto, SECONDED by Alternate Director Coleman,

WHEREAS, stable and secure housing systems create and maintain jobs and allow for a range of living options essential to attract new workers, meet the needs of young families and support seniors and our most vulnerable citizens; and

WHEREAS the high cost of housing is the most urgent financial issue facing individual Canadians (with one in four people paying more than they can afford for housing), and mortgage debt held by Canadians now standing at just over $1.1 trillion; and

WHEREAS, the Bank of Canada notes housing costs and household debt are undermining Canadians' personal financial security, while putting our national economy at risk; and

WHEREAS those who cannot afford to purchase a home rely on the short supply of rental units, driving up rental costs and making it hard to house workers in regions experiencing strong economic activity; and

WHEREAS an inadequate supply of subsidized housing for those in need is pushing some of the most vulnerable Canadians on to the street, while $1.7 billion annually in federal investments in social housing have begun to expire; and

WHEREAS coordinated action is required to prevent housing issues from being offloaded onto local governments and align the steps local governments have already taken with regard to federal/provincial/territorial programs and policies; and

WHEREAS, the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) has launched a housing campaign, "Fixing Canada's Housing Crunch" calling on the federal government to increase housing options for Canadians and to work with all orders of government to develop a long-term plan for Canada's housing future; and

WHEREAS FCM has asked its member municipalities for a resolution of support; and

WHEREAS, our community has continuing housing needs, throughout the full spectrum of housing options, which can only be met through the kind of long-term planning and investment made possible by federal leadership;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Capital Regional District endorses the FCM housing campaign and urges the federal Minister of Employment and Social Development to develop a long-term plan for housing that puts core investments on solid ground, increases predictability, protects Canadians from the planned expiry of $1.7 billion in social housing agreements and ensures a healthy stock of affordable rental housing for Canadians.

AND, BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this resolution be sent to the federal Minister, the appropriate provincial Ministers, federal Members of Parliament and provincial Members of the Legislature within the CRD, the Federation of Canadian Municipalities, and the Union of BC Municipalities. CARRIED

8.2 Notice of Motion - A Ballot Question on Amalgamation - Director Alto

Director Alto asked that consideration of the motion be postponed to allow municipal Councils more time to discuss the proposal before it is discussed by the CRD Board.

MOVED by Director Alto, SECONDED by Director Blackwell, That consideration of the following motion be postponed to the February Board meeting:

WHEREAS the following Motion was adopted by Victoria City Council on November 14, 2013: WHEREAS amalgamation has been a recurring issue within the CRD for many years, WHEREAS in the last year diverse community interests have facilitated ongoing extensive conversation on amalgamation within the CRD, WHEREAS an increasing appetite for that conversation has been demonstrated across the community, BE IT RESOLVED That the City of Victoria place the following non-binding question on its municipal ballot in November 2014: Are you in favour of reducing the number of municipalities in Greater Victoria through amalgamation? BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED That the City of Victoria request that the CRD consider asking each of its member municipalities to place a similar question on each of their municipal ballots in November 2014. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED That the City of Victoria advise the Province of British Columbia of the City's intent to place this question on the Victoria municipal ballot in November 2014.

Be It Therefore Resolved that the CRD ask each of its member municipalities to place a non-binding question on each municipal ballot in November 2014 similar to the one that will be posed by the City of Victoria on its own 2014 municipal ballot, e.g. "Are you in favour of reducing the number of municipalities in Greater Victoria through amalgamation?" CARRIED

(a) Correspondence from City of Victoria, November 19, 2013 re Amalgamation within the CRD

MOVED by Director Alto, SECONDED by Director Jensen, That the correspondence be received for information. CARRIED

9. NEW BUSINESS

9.1 Cycling Infrastructure Partnership Program Grant Application - Rainbow Road Separated Bike Path on Salt Spring Island

MOVED by Director McIntyre, SECONDED by Director Howe, That a Cycling Infrastructure Partnership Program grant application of $60,000 toward construction of the Rainbow Road separated bike path on Salt Spring Island be endorsed. CARRIED

10. MOTION TO CLOSE THE MEETING

MOVED by Director Hill, SECONDED by Director Cross, That the Board close the meeting in accordance with the Community Charter, Part 4, Division 3, 90(1) (a) personal information about an identifiable individual who holds or is being considered for a position as an officer, employee or agent of the regional district or another position appointed by the regional district (Items 3.1 and 4.1) and (e) the acquisition, disposition or expropriation of land or improvements, if the Board considers that disclosure could reasonably be expected to harm the interests of the Regional District (Item 3.0). CARRIED

The Board moved to closed meeting at 2:45 pm and rose and reported at 3:03 pm.

11. RISE AND REPORT

The following persons were appointed to the Mayne Island Parks and Recreation Commission for a term to expire December 31, 2014: Dennis Akey; and for a term to expire December 31, 2015: Peter Askin, Bill Duggan, Veronica Euper, Liz Howard;

The following persons were appointed to the Saturna Island Parks and Recreation Commission for a term to expire December 31, 2014: Tom Koochin; and for a term to expire December 31, 2015: Michel Bourassa, Sheila Wallace, John Gahn, Hubertus Surm;

The following persons were appointed to the Galiano Island Parks and Recreation Commission for a term to expire December 31, 2014: Dora Fitzgerald; and for a term to expire December 31, 2015: Gloria Schmidt, Ed Andrusiak, Michael Hoebel, Mario Szijarto;

The following persons were appointed to the Southern Gulf Islands Economic Development Commission for a term to expire December 31, 2014: Michael Hoebel; and for a term to expire December 31, 2015: Wendy Gardner, Larry Peck;

The following persons were appointed to the Highland Water and Sewer Services Commission for a term to expire December 31, 2015: Ann Heeley-Ray, John Jefferson, Carol Newmeyer;

The following persons were appointed to the Fernwood Water Local Service Commission for a term to expire December 31, 2015: Peter Lake, Eli Trory;

The following person was appointed to the Beddis Water Service Commission for a term to expire December 31, 2015: Ruth Waldick;

The following persons were appointed to the Salt Spring Island Transportation Commission for a term to expire December 31, 2014: Sheryl Taylor-Munro; and for a term to expire December 31, 2015: Kevin Bell;

The following persons were appointed to the Traffic Safety Commission for a term to expire December 31, 2015: Chris Foord; Stephanie Melvin, Office of the Superintendent of Motor Vehicles; Alan Perry; Colleen Woodger, ICBC Road Safety Division; Supt. Grant Brilz, B.C. Ambulance Service; S/Sgt. Frank Wright, CRD Integrated Road Safety Unit;

The following persons were appointed to the East Sooke Fire Protection and Emergency Response Service Commission for a term to expire December 31, 2015: Yale Shap, Axel Joosting, George May.

12. ADJOURNMENT

MOVED by Director Hill, SECONDED by Director Brice, That the meeting be adjourned at 3:03 pm. CARRIED

CHAIR

CERTIFIED CORRECT:

CORPORATE OFFICER

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CRD Board Chair Alastair Bryson

Inaugural Speech, January 8, 2014

INTRODUCTION

• Good afternoon. It is an honour and a personal pleasure to welcome you to the first Capital Regional District Board meeting of 2014.
• Thank you for re-electing Denise Blackwell as Vice Chair, and myself as Board Chair.
• We are both humbled by and grateful for the trust you have once again placed in us.
• To our returning Directors, I thank you for your hard work over the last year, and for your commitment to tackle the opportunities and the challenges in the year that lies ahead.
• I would also like to commend the staff of the CRD on the implementation of many key initiatives.
• The Board values everyone's contributions and collective wisdom.
• I look forward to working with all of you as a team that pulls towards one goal - making the CRD an even more vibrant and livable region than it already is.
• As a Board, we acknowledge that the CRD exists within the traditional territories of a number of First Nations.
• I'll speak a little later about the importance of our resolve to pro-actively build on and enhance First Nations relationships.
• Beginning a new year, we must continue to ask ourselves...
  • What is important today to residents of the region?
  • What are the key issues facing us regionally?
• And finally, we need to strategically nail down:
  • What are our priorities in tackling these areas?

ACCOMPLISHMENTS

• In planning our way forward, it's helpful to take a glance back.
• Our strategic plan has provided us with a road map and a clear focus, beginning in 2012 and taking us forward into 2014.
• The year 2013 was one of impressive accomplishment. As an organization we excelled in many areas.
• The list is long and the achievements are many.
• A comprehensive overview of what we achieved in 2013 -- aligned with our strategic priorities -- is included in your Board package, and posted on our website.
• Certainly when looking at significant achievements and at important targets, one initiative ranks high in both areas -- our Board's stated commitment to develop stronger relationships with First Nations in the CRD.

ABORIGINAL INITIATIVES

• As a Board, we are committed to respectfully and appropriately engaging First Nations communities in regional strategies and shared interests.
• We have established a framework that will help us improve communications with First Nations to better navigate the development of protocols and engagement practices.
• It also will give us a more consistent approach to formulating agreements and contracts.
• These improvements will expand our service relationships.
• Importantly, the creation of the Aboriginal Initiatives division is a clear commitment to First Nations whose traditional territories include a portion of the CRD.
• It is a concrete step demonstrating that government-to-government relationship-building is a priority focus of the Board.

TARGETS

• Now let's take a quick look at some other important targets, aligned with our six Strategic Plan priorities ...
• As your Chair for 2014, I will continue to work towards implementing the priorities identified in our 2012-2014 Strategic Plan.

Regarding: Regional Transportation and Planning:

• The adoption of the Regional Transportation plan will allow us to assess the feasibility of a new role for the region in regional transportation governance, planning and funding.
• It will also allow us to better integrate regional transportation planning and land use.

Regarding: Regional Infrastructure:

• We're making significant progress on the creation of new infrastructure such as:
  • awarding work on the sewage treatment plant
  • completing more work on the E&N rail trail
  • constructing new local fire halls on North Galiano and in East Sooke and a new local services building for Juan de Fuca.
• All of these will contribute to healthier and safer communities and a more sustainable region.

Regarding our Healthy Region Strategic priority:

• Our targets to support a healthy region include:
  • implementation of changes to the Clean Air Bylaw to reduce the risk of second-hand smoke
  • Implementing a landmark agreement with Island Health to renew senior's residential care by replacing the Oak Bay Lodge and Mt. Tolmie Hospital facilities.

Regarding Regional Housing:

• Informing the Regional Housing Affordability Strategy and the future role of the Capital Region Housing Corporation based on input at the Forum of Councils on affordable housing...
• ... and expanded funding and participation in the Regional Housing Trust Fund
• ... will facilitate the delivery of beneficial regional housing solutions and help to end homelessness.

With respect to Regional Environmental Stewardship:

• Moving towards a ban on kitchen scrap disposal at the landfill by January 2015 will help save space at the landfill and move us towards our goal of a 70 per cent diversion rate.

Finally, but certainly no less important in my opinion Regional Cooperation:

• Significant regional priorities that affect us all highlight the need for an increased level of cooperative work by the Board ...
• We see this on initiatives such as an implementation strategy for unified 911.
• We see it too in addressing treatment of our wastewater and how we collect and process our compost materials.
• As we have in the past, in the coming year our Board will continue to face challenges in finding common ground between regional needs while respecting local interests.
• Balancing our responsibilities with the local impact of Board decisions remains a key undertaking.
• As your Chair, I urge Board members to join me in aiming for the highest level of cooperation we can achieve in our thoughtful deliberations.
• Regional cooperation is one of our overarching key strategic priorities, and I look forward to working towards it with you in this term.

ECONOMIC FOCUS

• As Chair of the CRD, I would like to take a moment to highlight the value our organization adds to our region.
• The CRD contributes much to our region's economic growth and future prosperity, and this is sometimes overlooked.
• We provide services and solutions to 360,000 people in the region.
• Our organization is an economic driver of the region, with large investments in infrastructure that inject cash and create jobs for the local economy.
• Approximately $350 million of fiscal expenditures are proposed for 2014, of which $115 million will be invested in capital investments for new infrastructure this year.
• Our capital expenditures will continue to grow over the next few years.
• However, we have successfully leveraged a significant number of grants and funding commitments from the Provincial and Federal Governments.
• The funding agreements with senior government on the sewage treatment project, residential care and hospital projects, housing and transportation projects are significant, and represent hundreds of millions of dollars of investment.
• Our projects and initiatives stimulate our region's economy while efficiently providing key services whether they are regional, sub-regional or local.
• And equally importantly, our activities support a good quality of life within this local economy.

COMMITTEE APPOINTMENTS

• Committee work is essential to carrying out the many activities we undertake, and I'm pleased to announce the chairs for each committee.
• A handout is available detailing the full committee membership.
• It is very much a status quo year, with membership and Chairs of the Committees almost the same.
• Committee chairs are as follows:
  • I have asked Director Leonard to continue to Chair the Finance Committee.
  • The Transportation Select Committee will be Chaired by Director Fortin.
  • Planning, Transportation and Protective Services will be Chaired by Director Desjardins.
  • Continuing his long service to the region, I have asked Director Young to Chair the Core Area Liquid Waste Management Committee.
  • I would also like to thank Director Blackwell for her work in leading this committee through a very busy period.
  • The Environmental Services Committee will be chaired by Director Jensen.
  • Director Brice will Chair the Regional Parks Committee.
  • Alternate Director Screech will Chair the Arts Committee.
  • The Electoral Area Services Committee will be Chaired by Director Hicks.
  • And I will Chair the Governance Committee.
  • As is our normal practice, there are some other committees that will choose their own Chair, such as the Regional Water Commission.

CONCLUSION

• As Chair of the Board, I am looking forward to the year that lies before us.
• I am confident that it will bring many successes.
• The CRD will continue to provide responsible, sustainable stewardship of this region.
• As the Board Chair, I'll help ensure that our focus will stay on being innovative in addressing challenges, and energetically engaging and serving our communities.
• I know that every one of us around this Board table is determined to make a positive difference.
• Thank you for joining me in rolling up our sleeves and working together to move forward.
• Thank you.