CAMPBELL RIVER, B.C- A court action launched by 14 residents of Cortes Island has led to island matters being placed on hold by the Strathcona Regional District.
According to a statement from the district, the petition was filed in British Columbia’s Supreme Court on January 2nd. The fourteen residents who brought it forward were asking Area B director Noba Anderson be disqualified from holding office, citing issues related to a conflict of interest.
“This petition was recently brought to the attention of the Strathcona Regional District Board,” read the statement.
“At the regular meeting on January 24, 2019, the Board directed that three matters on the agenda pertaining to Electoral Area B be deferred until the implications of the legal petition filed by the Cortes Island residents is fully understood by the Board. These matters pertained to the proposed community hall service, first responder service and appointments to the Advisory Planning Commission.”
The chair of the SRD board, Michele Babchuk, was quoted in the statement, saying that the board fully supports the democratic process, and recognizes the rights of citizens to challenge those processes in court.
“The Board’s mandate is to serve all Cortes Island constituents, regardless of their position,” said Babchuk.
“We also recognize that this issue is divisive and unsettling but would like to remind the public that this legal action is not initiated by the Strathcona Regional District and, consequently we have no ability or jurisdiction to comment any further on the legal action. We are, however, working expeditiously to ensure we act responsibly so as not to prejudice any Board decisions, Electoral Area B initiatives or legal proceedings underway.”
It is not clear how the district is planning to handle any Area B matters while the legal proceedings are underway.
