By JASON MOGUS
I was disappointed to read our MLA Rob Botterell’s recent public statements opposing the Trust Policy Statement our current council is trying to move forward.
Mr. Botterell should remember he was elected to represent our whole economically and culturally diverse island, not just those in the traditional Green party base who have hardened around housing issues.
Botterell’s criticisms of the Trust Policy Statement don’t hold water. He argues the current council shouldn’t dare move this process forward until another election, yet we’ve been watching this debate for two terms and almost seven years already. Laura Patrick was elected, twice, on a mandate that included housing and environment. The other Salt Spring trustee received the second most votes on a strong housing mandate, and many of the other 26 trustees across the Islands Trust area were also elected on strong housing mandates. It is not anti-democratic for our elected leaders to act on the orders the community gave them.
What is more concerning is Botterell’s incendiary suggestion that the real reason an evolution to the Trust’s goals is being discussed is to unleash growth and development. “For those seeking urban amenities and growth, Salt Spring and the other islands in the Trust are the wrong places to live.” This tired argument gains clicks but lacks evidence. It dismisses both the data showing a third of this community is housing insecure, and the stories of countless working class and young people who struggle to stay in our increasingly unaffordable community.
Botterell’s argument is suspiciously aligned with that of a small but vigorous group who have decided any attempts at dealing with our community’s housing crisis, no matter how incremental or responsible they are, is tantamount to treason of the founding principles of the Trust.
I’ve been in rooms with dozens of islanders who care about making a difference on this issue that impacts us all. While there are varying degrees of agreement around what we should do, all agree we have to move forward, and that those with different views are acting in good faith.
Our MLA has had a full year on the job now. He should listen to a more diverse group of people before taking extreme positions that further erode trust in our institutions and needlessly divide our community.
The writer is a Salt Spring resident who works on campaigns for climate justice and housing around the world.