Wednesday, December 29, 2021
Monday, December 6, 2021
Friday, December 3, 2021
Tuesday, November 23, 2021
Friday, November 19, 2021
Thursday, November 4, 2021
Tuesday, November 2, 2021
Sunday, October 31, 2021
Ratepayers Association on Sewer Funding
Dear RPA members,
You may or may not be aware the Tofino Council and FRAP (Fixed Roof Accommodation Providers) are in discussions about the use of a portion of MRDT (bed tax) monies coming back to the community for helping with the costs of sewage treatment. I believe few in the community are aware of this. The Tofino RPA offers the following letter sent to Council representing our point of view. It would seem in the interests of the community for there to be some public discussion.
Mayor and Council
On behalf of the Tofino Ratepayers Association I write to support the efforts currently underway to secure a portion of the MRDT and direct those funds toward the costs of sewage treatment. This will be of benefit for the District of Tofino, its citizens, taxpayers and businesses alike. It will benefit the whole community to help allay the onerous prospects of the only existing alternative, dramatic tax increases for everyone. It will also let us get on with removing what many consider a stain on the communities reputation, namely untreated sewage delivered directly into the ocean.
Thanks, to the FRAP members who have shown commitment to the community and are willing to partner with the community in new and positive ways. Because of your support we are on the cusp of solving this long-standing problem.
Some are not happy because the amounts of money are too low, or for some too high. A few suggest mechanisms that don’t yet exist should be used. I say this council initiative is good, because it is better. Better than where we were a year or two ago when council announced 53% tax increases. And far better than where we will be without it.
In general, the public very much supports this. I can say that with confidence because I have seen it firsthand. During the most recent by-elections, every candidate expressed in the RPA pre- election questionnaire put to the candidates, the need for funds for infrastructure, to come from the greatest group of users, tourists. For the tourists to shoulder their fair share of the costs. And the MRDT was the most frequently sited vehicle that could do that. In a ten-day period leading up to the election the Ratepayers web site had over 1000 visits and membership increased dramatically, largely because of this issue. There is a clear consensus on this issue in Tofino and Council clearly has a mandate to pursue this, and they have done so.
To be absolutely fair, some have suggested that a form of general sales tax across the board might be more appropriate. We don’t disagree with that sentiment, in principle, and would be willing to support working on that project with others in the community. However, no mechanism currently exists in the province to achieve that end. If, or when it is achievable, it could replace or amend or build on the work that is currently underway and take over at some point in the future, but it is very speculative right now and we need more immediate action. Use of the MRDT is ready to go.
Thanks to council’s work and the cooperative spirit of Tofino businesses and provincial government.
Cheers Jack Gillie
Wednesday, October 27, 2021
Saturday, October 23, 2021
Friday, October 15, 2021
Wednesday, September 15, 2021
Monday, August 30, 2021
District Paying For Pay Parking Story
https://www.westerlynews.ca/news/pay-parking-arrives-at-tofinos-beaches/
District has agreed to pay Robbins Parking Service $280,000 to operate the new system
Wednesday, August 25, 2021
Thursday, August 19, 2021
Stage 3 Water Restrictions
https://www.tofino.ca/blog/view/stage-3-water-restrictions
Council and staff should pay as much attention to the water supply as they do to pay parking and downtown revitalization.The District of Tofino used to post our daily water consumption rates on their website but as far as I can see it is no longer published. If anyone knows how much water we are using please comment.
Saturday, August 14, 2021
Friday, July 30, 2021
Thursday, July 29, 2021
Monday, July 19, 2021
Monday, July 12, 2021
A Tofino Parkade ?
Anyone in Tofino will recognize that we have a parking problem in the downtown area. Some time ago , I brought this up with staff. One said that we have a car problem, not a parking problem. This idealogical response was not helpful. Even electric vehicles need a place to park.
In a recent comment I suggested that a parkade could be built by filling in the area by the First Street dock (Whisky Dock) . I realize that this is an expensive proposal but there is a variety of funding sources available. Charging stations for electric vehicles could qualify the project for green initiative grants.
For offshore users , having a designated parking spot would really help. Currently users are parked all the way up First Street, Third Street , Fourth Street and elsewhere around town.
Concerns have been raised about habitat loss from the project but given that many waterfront properties in Tofino have been built on fill without an environmental disaster I think this can be worked around. As nobody will be residing on the site, tsunami concerns are minimal.
Any ideas or comments on this proposal greatly appreciated.
Saturday, July 10, 2021
Wednesday, July 7, 2021
Friday, July 2, 2021
Wednesday, May 19, 2021
Tuesday, May 11, 2021
Thursday, May 6, 2021
Wednesday, May 5, 2021
Monday, April 26, 2021
Thursday, April 22, 2021
Wednesday, April 21, 2021
Monday, April 19, 2021
Monday, April 12, 2021
Sunday, April 11, 2021
Friday, April 9, 2021
Thursday, April 1, 2021
Wednesday, March 31, 2021
Friday, March 26, 2021
Saturday, March 20, 2021
Thursday, March 18, 2021
Sunday, March 7, 2021
Thursday, February 25, 2021
Tuesday, February 23, 2021
1% Water Tax On Hold
The proposed First Nations 1% water tax is on hold . The 13% water rate increase will likely go ahead. More details as the become available . It is important to note that the District of Tofino has several water and sewer agreements with First Nations that were discussed in a fair and transparent manner before they were signed.
Sunday, February 21, 2021
From The Directors of the Tofino Ratepayers Association
February 21, 2021
Dear Members,
As some of you may be aware, on the Feb 23 regular council meeting, the DOT will be considering a bylaw to increase water rates by 13% to come into effect on April 1 of this year. In addition, a further 1% will be levied as an “ecosystem service fee” and given to the Tla-o-qui-aht First Nation for unspecified activities by their Tribal Parks Alliance. The latter appears to be a fairly well-organized branch of the TFN who purport to provide various services through a “guardian program”. The nature of the services are mostly aspirational. Those actually in effect are generally piggy-backed on to the activities initiated and funded by other groups (Central West Coast Forest Society, Surfrider Foundation and Clayoquot Cleanup). Funding for the “Guardians��� seems to come almost entirely from the contribution of “Allies” who give 1% of their gross revenues to the cause. (www.tribalparksalliance.com)
Some people are a little uncomfortable with DOT participating in this. The actual deliverables by the TPA are not clear. An accounting process does not even appear to have been discussed with the DOT as it would be with any other group seeking a District grant. In addition, and perhaps more importantly, by engaging in this program the DOT is essentially endorsing a land use proposal that has been imposed by TFN without any consultation with their neighbours. This is really the antithesis of what treaty negotiations are about. Our uncritical acquiescence to this approach actually undermines the existing treaty process that would otherwise require TFN to discuss and negotiate their future land claims with all stakeholders. Treaty issues need to be negotiated through Federal and Provincial governments. This would help ensure an equitable and supportable outcome for all. Why bother to negotiate when you can simply impose and have neighbours comply? While their website is full of lofty language and imaginative claims about the history of First Nation stewardship, at its core is a call to adopt an ill-defined management scheme that seeks to fund itself by leaning on guests and neighbours in the Tofino area. Even more concerning is that by linking fees to water utilization the DOT is tacitly agreeing to a water access fee which is clearly at odds with current provincial law. Control of all freshwater rights is by law is in the hands of the Province who manage this on behalf of all citizens. One of the useful things about this broader kind of control is that it prevents one community holding another hostage over access to an essential resource. At present, ecosystem management fees linked to water access would be optional, but who is to say if that will continue to be the case once we wander down this path. Some might even see the current efforts by the Tribal Parks Alliance as little more that a thinly veiled form of extortion cloaked in soothing environmental jargon. If the TFN need further funding for their employment schemes their approach should be to the Federal Government either directly or through the treaty process, not their neighbours. Sadly, what the TPA upholds as a model of successful reconciliation, (and endorsement as a “tribal parks ally”) is unquestioning acknowledgment of First Nations rights and title to all lands they care to define as well as financial compliance by neighbour communities and businesses.
Unfortunately, the DOT has, perhaps unwittingly, already leant some form of approval to this unilateral process by specifically stating that one of its 17 principles in the most recent strategic plan of September 2020 is to “Work with the Tla-o-qui-aht Tribal Parks administration to ensure the protection of the Meares Island watershed, and explore the establishment of services fees. Initiate by January 2021.” DOT Strategic Plan 2021-2023, page 4. All 6 councillors at the time (including two of the three current Mayoral candidates) are pictured on the front of this document.
To be clear, I am a supporter of land claims settlement. There has been wrong that needs to be redressed. There is need for control over lands and resources in order for remote communities to have some hope of financial self sufficiency. The maintenance and recovery of language and culture can only happen if communities have some way to thrive. However, the only way this will happen in a genuine spirit of reconciliation is if this process is one of openness, transparency and negotiation. What is being imposed by TPA is well short of this and I am troubled that the DOT and the current council are not holding the TFN to a more inclusive standard.
In addition what municipal gov’t contracts for the supply of such a vague and ill-defined product as “protection”? It suggests the arrangement is more of a political agreement. This is a misuse of our hard-earned dollars we understand to be properly spent on the cost of service. And lastly it was suggested to me by one councillor that the 1% fee is little different than moneys collected by a local whale watching company to fund research. I offer that it is very different indeed. On the one hand you have a private company raising money voluntarily offered by its patrons for a specific purpose. Here we have the District compelling every citizen who uses water, essential to our existence here, to participate and enter into their dubious political arrangement. It is just not on. Support political causes with your own money councillors not with the public’s money.
If you share this concern or any others, time is of the essence. Four councillors will make a decision as to whether our tax dollars will go to the Tribal Parks Alliance on Tuesday Feb 23. They need to hear from all.
From The Directors of the Tofino Ratepayers Association
To contact the 4 councillors directly, email:
Tom Stere stere@tofino.ca
Duncan McMaster mcmaster@tofino.ca
Britt Chalmers chalmers@tofino.ca
Al Anderson anderson@tofino.ca
Saturday, February 20, 2021
Feb 23 Council Agenda
Utility Rates
In order to effectively provide water and sewer services to the community and meet operating
requirements the utility rates will be amended to increase overall revenues in the water and sewer fund.
The 2021 revenue increases required are as follows:
Water Fund: $95,556, of which, $77,361 will be made up of the 13% rate increase beginning April 1, 2021
and the balance of $18,195 will be made up of 2020 surplus.
In addition to the 13% rate increase there is a further 1% recommended to be added as an Ecosystem
Service Fee. This fee will be collected from users against fixed and variable water charges, each quarter,
which will be subsequently transferred to Tla-o-qui-aht First Nation to support Tla-o-qui-aht Tribal Parks.
The service fee is a small measure of support for the Tla-o-qui-aht Tribal Parks initiative which includes
the protection of lands that form the watershed from which Tofino draws its municipal water. The
addition of this fee is recommended as a step in fulfilling the “key deliverable” in Council’s 2021 – 2023
Strategic Plan.
Friday, February 12, 2021
Friday, January 29, 2021
Friday, January 22, 2021
Not “Affordable Housing” but “Below Market Housing “
A conventional measure of housing affordability is the shelter- cost-to-income ratio, which most commonly sets the affordability threshold at 30% of before-tax household income.