Letter dated February 11, 2021 to Min. Rankin, Minister of Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation from Mayor Screech, Re: Province of BC Acquisition of Thetis Cove Property

Re: Province of BC Acquisition of Thetis Cove Property (Lot A, Section 2, Esquimalt District, Plan 31051 Except Plan EPP69069, PID 001-182-889)

Thank you for the opportunity to speak with you last week and also for approving the joint press release idea. I think it does signal a desire to work collaboratively moving forward. It was also productive to have the informal chat with Chief Rob Thomas.

There are still many issues to be discussed. You had touched on the topic of compensation for View Royal and I believe we need to have this discussion. There is also the issue of a landlocked piece of property that the Town owns on the foreshore.

We need to devise a mechanism for View Royal’s interests to be protected as negotiations continue with Esquimalt Nation, and it is incumbent on the Province to make sure this happens. It is inconceivable to think that this would not happen.

Our residents deserve to know that someone is representing them as negotiations continue. In the long run this approach will also lead to much more support from the community which can only be a positive for Esquimalt Nation and View Royal.

Again, my thanks and I look forward to working with you in the future.

Yours truly,

David Screech Mayor

cc: Honourable Josie Osborne, Ministry of Municipal Affairs Ms. Mitzi Dean, MLA Esquimalt-Metchosin