- Oak Bay Leading Local Government Response to Youth Custody Closure
It has been a hectic two weeks for me, attending a series of meetings and events — the YES Awards, Monterey Volunteer Appreciation Wine and Cheese, site visits on land use and two meetings about the Youth Custody Services facility closure. In my spare time, I have been busy working with regional colleagues to try to change the provincial government’s mind on its proposed closure of the facility, the only custody facility on Vancouver Island. You may have followed the extensive media coverage about this issue and you therefore know that it’s one close to my heart because of my professional background in criminal justice and corrections. It’s also pertinent to the work of municipalities, including Oak Bay, because we are represented on the CRD’s Youth and Family Justice Committee. As a result of my work on this community issue, I was asked to be part of a panel (along with my husband who is a retired Provincial Court Judge), at a community meeting to address the issue. We were joined by local MLAs, a First Nations Chief of the Assembly of First Nations, the Mayor of Victoria, a member of the local Bar Association, a senior Corrections’ representative and others. There was a strong turn-out and I was pleased to see my colleagues from Saanich (Councillors Brownoff and Sanders) and from Esquimalt (Councillor Hundleby) and the tireless advocate and former City of Victoria Councillor, Helen Hughes, who is also an old friend and mentor. It was a privilege to be asked to participate.
Stay tuned on this issue, as it potentially touches youth, families and communities all over Vancouver Island. It’s a terrible decision and if it goes ahead, will have serious ramifications for years to come. Someone said, “If you have a voice, use it!”
- Open House, Saturday, May 31st, 1:00 – 4:00 PM, Oak Bay Recreation Centre, Sports View Lounge — Official Community Plan Draft Review
This Community Open House will provide you with an opportunity to review and comment on the latest Official Community Plan draft document. This is an exciting turning point in the OCP renewal process and your chance to help us move the document forward to the next stage. Please bring good ideas and critical thinking skills to this important community event.