See what comments and commitments candidates made and hear Mayor Kevin Murdoch’s take on Reconciliation in his first term in office and the future.
1.Re: The Spewhung / Turkey Head / Marina Lands- While one may have an informed opinion and an idea about what to do with these lands, is anything other than climate resilience really worth spending a lot of money on? If you look at the forecasted sea levels for this area, you quickly see that these lands are very, very vulnerable. Plus I heard that the current operation and lease agreement is a net money loser to the district of Oak Bay.
Is this true and what are your thoughts on a large capital expenditure (more than 300K of Oak Bay funds) for reimagining this vulnerable area?
“Any future plans for the Marina lands must necessarily take into account the effects of sea level rise and climate impact. The existing buildings are older, and whatever potential use is contemplated would have to take that into account. The five year lease extension now announced will allow for a community discussion on the potential future of the site- any potential investments would be driven by what is contemplated in those discussions.”
“As far as the current operation and lease agreement goes, I am legally bound to not discuss this as we are still in the RFP process, and those processes are legislated to legally restrict any conversations we have outside of the negotiating table. I’m not sure what it might cost to have a good public consultation to reimagine this, as you say, vulnerable area, but I feel confident that the sitting council do its best to do what’s best for all stakeholders.”
“Yes. This is a unique site in the region and has unlimited potential so I would support investment in this property and its buildings, provided the municipality conducted comprehensive condition assessments on all built assets, including an asset management plan, addressing climate change mitigation and environmental protection. The site and property might also qualify for grant funding and new partnerships that include revenue-sharing and cost-sharing. I cannot comment on revenue specifics but for the first time in nearly 30 years, the District’s current financial plan (2022) reveals specific details on revenue and expenses, as public information.”
“This venue provides an opportunity for what could, and in my opinion should, be a wonderful community space. Its natural beauty is obvious. Its location is in my view conducive to walking, enjoyment of nature, gathering for entertainment, enjoying a meal, small retail etc. I am of the view that the location is much under utilized which, if indeed correct, might explain that it is a net money loser for Oak Bay. I believe there could be immense social benefit to be realized, not to mention a likely economic benefit, with an environmentally sustainable re-development of the area.”
“First of all we need to make sure any planning done in this region is safe, while developing and reimagining this area we want to have a proper disaster recovery plan in place for this area as it is a vulnerable area if we are to develop it. We also want to take proper measures to try to keep sea levels around this area at a decent level to avoid flooding using infrastructure such as a proper drainage system for the area.”
“I don’t know the terms of the current lease and can’t comment on the financial return it generates for Oak Bay. However, when developing options for these lands in a spirit of reconciliation, we must listen to the Songhees and Esquimalt Nations. As coastal peoples, I expect they are well aware of the predicted climate change impacts on the Spewhung foreshore and all lands within their traditional territory. Incorporating climate adaptation/mitigation strategies into plans for Spewhung could result in unique directions which are compatible with First Nations aspirations and Oak Bay’s obligation to prepare the community for sea level rise.”
2. Would you support a combined strategy with the Songhees and Esquimalt Nations that would cover both Discovery and Chatham Islands and the Oak Bay Marina?
“Yes. These offshore islands and the Spewhung/Turkey Head site have deep and abiding significance for both Indigenous communities, Songhees and Esquimalt FN, given the Lekwungen traditional, cultural, historical and emotional connections to these land areas and to the Salish Sea.”
“Yes.”
“Yes I would support a strategy that would cover this entire area. I would meet with both the Songhees and Esquimalt Nations on an ongoing basis to hear what they would like to have implemented into the plan for the project. By working together and having monthly meetings with both Songhees and Esquimalt Nations we can work together to make this project a success.”
“The question is premature; there is presently no basis to consider what a combined strategy could mean to the Songhees and Esquimalt Nations, or the District. Presently the Province has jurisdiction over the water lease, and Oak Bay Council has responsibility for securing and administering the lease for the water side, and direct authority and responsibility for the land side of the site. I supported Council’s
endorsing TRC calls to action that addresses shared prosperity.”
“Yes. This project provides the potential for earnest and economic engagement with the Songhees and Esquimalt First Nations and could be a significant step forward in our community’s relationship with Indigenous Peoples and in our commitment to reconciliation. The Northern portion of Discovery Island and Chatham Islands are Songhees Nation reserve land. The foreshore /aquatic area is leased from the province. As part of the future engagement and envisioning of Spewhung, we need to have an open mind about the boundaries of what this project could be and which stake-holders could be included.”
“This feels like a trick question. Discovery and Chatham Islands—with the exception of the portion in the Discovery Island Marine provincial park—are exclusively Songhees lands. As I understand it, the Songhees Nation is working hard to protect and preserve them for their own exclusive use. If their plans for the Islands change, then it would be up to the Songhees to reach out to Oak Bay to suggest any kind
of “combined strategy.”
“Yes, of course. A publicly-run ‘Municipal Marina’ could help simplify anything that would need to be negotiated or changed over time.”
3. How would you engage the Songhees/Esquimalt Nations in the future of the Oak Bay marina?
“Extend an invitation to them to meet, share a meal, have a chat, establish a relationship that would become the foundation of ongoing engagement, including on the Oak Bay Marina site.”
4. Would you support a voluntary, transparent property owner tax contribution to Indigenous titleholders?
“I would support this as it would help maybe towards the development of the project, and it would give Indigenous title-holders more resources to work with on this project.”
“I support Council/Community/First Nations dialogue on actions that support reconciliation.”
“Probably not unilaterally. Unilateral action is not ‘in a good way’. Also, it appears to me conclusive that we are on ‘ceded’ lands: per https://www.songheesnation.ca/governance/modern-treaty and per: https://www.esquimaltnation.ca/our-nation and per: https://tsawout.ca/governance/douglas-treaty/ and then confirmed per 1965 Supreme Court of Canada decision: Regina V. White and Bob 1965: https://jurisprudence.reseaudialog.ca/en/case/r-v-white-and-bob/. However, due to very differing perspectives on land ownership and the existence of aboriginal rights, I fully support the Te’mexw Treaty Association negotiating any changes. Note, however, only Songhees is a member of Te’mexw and not, apparently, Esquimalt.”
1. Why would the District hire an Indigenous consultant rather than engaging directly with the Chief and Councils of the Nations?
Kevin Murdoch
“The District already engages directly with the local First Nations, both staff-to-staff and Council-to-Council, and will continue to do so. The First Nations Advisor position was created to provide staff capacity within Oak Bay and our partner nations to help move our joint initiatives forward in a way respectful of First Nations needs, priorities, and procedures. Both Oak Bay and local First Nations have limited capacity in-house to take on new projects, and this is seen as way to help all parties achieve meaningful momentum on shared initiatives. To be clear, the scope of the position is being guided by Esquimalt and Songhees Nations staff and they are assisting in the recruiting process.”
2. What about inviting Indigenous stewardship of our Garry Oak Meadows? Using ethno-ecological approaches, acknowledge these special areas as endangered cultural spaces? Braid together respectfully Indigenous science and western science in restoration?
Kevin Murdoch
“I am fully in favour of having local Knowledge Keepers work both in an educational and advisory capacity within our natural parks. We anticipated this idea will form part of the Sitchanalth / Willows joint planning initiative underway, as Uplands Park is directly adjacent to Willows Beach and forms an integral part of the cultural history of the area.”