Correspondence: Letter from B. Hobbis, Victoria/Esquimalt Harbour Society, Re: Stakeholder Group to Advise on Harbour Issues

Re: Victoria/Esquimalt Harbour Society - Stakeholder Group to Advise on Issues Relating to Victoria/Esquimalt Harbour and Surrounding Waters

The VEHS comprises an array of commercial, industrial and community stakeholders involved in Victoria and Esquimalt Harbours and the surrounding waters of the CRD. Currently our membership represents over 50 companies operating around these waters, making us a strong, informed and influential voice.

View Royal has often voiced its support for the working harbour and the various benefits it brings to our communities, however, there is no organization presently advising the Town Hall on the harbour as a whole. Although various community associations offer input, we would suggest they do not have the history and hands-on experience of the members of the VEHS. We are the most qualified to engage in such discussions and this letter is to propose that we be formally designated a View Royal Harbour Advisory Committee.

We ask for an opportunity to present this concept to Council. Although we appreciate that we have been asked to provide input in the past on harbour related matters, we believe it would serve Town Hall better to formalize our advisory role rather than to be consulted in an ad hoc fashion. We make this offer in the spirit of support towards our shared goal: a harbour and surrounding waters that operate on the basis of values articulated and shared by industry, environment and community.

Thank you for your consideration,

Yours truly,

Barry Hobbis President, Victoria Esquimalt Harbour Society c.c. Victoria Esquimalt Harbour Society Members