To the Editor,
Below is a copy of a letter I sent to RDNO Directors regarding their recent decision to grant an exception for Area D only to allow concrete -floored cannabis production facilities of 1,400 m2, versus 500 m2 everywhere else. I can provide more details of the “sorry process “ that has led us here over the last. 5+ years. . Absolutely shameful, unethical behaviour….
RDNO Directors,
I write to express my profound disappointment in the recent decision to grant an exception for concrete-floored cannabis production facilities in Area D, allowing a footprint of 1,400 m2 compared to the established 500 m2 for other electoral areas.
I won’t go over the whole sorry process that has led us to this terrible abuse of power by Director Fairburn – I know you are fully aware of all the reasons for and the scale of opposition to his proposal, as well as the repeated actions Rick has taken to work against those he is supposed to represent.
This exception has clearly been pursued by Director Fairburn in the service of Green Amber Canada and their plan to construct a large cannabis factory in the middle of a rural residential area on Shafer Road. It is contrary to the advice of RDNO staff and legal opinion that it is fully within the legal purview for RDNO to set restrictions on the size of concrete floors on ALR land; it is contrary to the limits accepted by all other Electoral Areas; it is contrary to the limits established in most other Regional Districts in BC; and it is obviously contrary to the overwhelming majority of residents in District D.
When Jonathan Fernandez from Green Amber threatened legal action against RDNO during the Public Hearing on 24 January 2024, Chairman Fleming quite rightly told Mr Fernandez that the Hearing and relevant RDNO Boards and Committees would not be swayed by and do not respond to such threats. Incredibly, however, at the subsequent Board of Directors meeting held less than 2 hours later, the exception was granted on the basis that the lower limits could be challenged in court. So much for not being swayed by threats of legal action!
This decision represents a gross ethical failure and raises serious questions regarding the motives and integrity of the Director of Area D and those who have supported him. Can you not see how this looks? A Director staunchly and repeatedly supports a company for over five years against the advice of RDNO staff and legal opinion and against massive opposition….and you can’t see that this looks more than a little suspicious or even blatantly corrupt?
Transparency matters. Integrity and honesty and ethical behaviour matters. Perceptions matter.
I expect better from our elected officials. This exception will have an immensely negative impact on the lives of those directly affected by the Green Amber facility and sets a precedent for potential harm to all other residents of this area. And this issue is about as straightforward and easy as it gets. If you can’t even get this easy stuff right, it is no wonder that so many are losing faith in our institutions of governance and civic/social support.
I implore you to reconsider this decision and have the courage to rectify this serious ethical failure. Our community deserves better from its elected officials, and it is crucial to restore faith in the principles of good governance. You can still fix this.
Doug Neill
Area D Resident
