Lake Cowichan mayor and council have unanimously decided they are not in favour of the proposed readjustment of the south Vancouver Island federal electoral boundaries.
At the Finance and Administration meeting on Aug. 21, the table reviewed a letter from Jean Crowder, MLA for Nanaimo Cowichan, inviting them to take part in a public hearing on the matter, set to take place on Oct. 16.
The Federal Electoral Boundaries Commission for British Columbia has proposed splitting the current riding of Nanaimo Cowichan into two ridings: Nanaimo Cowichan and South Cowichan Juan de Fuca. The new riding of Nanaimo Cowichan would include all of Nanaimo, Gabriola Island, the majority of Ladysmith, Youbou, Lake Cowichan and Honeymoon Bay.
“I think that someone looked at the map and and thought that Ladysmith and Lake Cowichan were continuous. But they didn’t take into consideration the infrastructure to get there [Nanaimo],” said Coun. Tim McGonigle.
“The one reason I wanted this put on the agenda is really that it’s totally wrong,” said Mayor Ross Forrest. “And do we want to have somebody make a presentation Oct. 16.”
Forrest added that Area F director Ian Morrison is also putting together a delegation for the hearing.
After some discussion as to whether the sending a letter voicing Lake Cowichan concerns on the matter would be enough, or whether a delegation should be formed to speak on the town’s behalf, the table decided that the mayor, or the deputy mayor, along with a letter, attend the hearing.