As you know, as a result of last week’s announcement by the Provincial Government to close Vancouver Island’s only Youth Custody facility located in View Royal, I got busy and drafted a motion for Oak Bay Council, requesting that we appeal to the Province to re-consider its decision. In a nutshell, my motion encourages the government to keep the facility open and re-purpose a part of it to house adult female offenders remanded and sentenced from Vancouver Island Courts, in addition to youth. I also put this information up on my Facebook page. Social media is indeed a powerful tool.
As of today, all 13 municipalities have requested a copy of my draft motion and some have already passed it at their Council tables. I was overwhelmed with the response from colleagues all over the region and am grateful for their support. Opposition MLAs also expressed their support for my action and continue to raise the issue in the Legislature.
If the Province does not re-consider its decision, then I will ask that Oak Bay Council approves a resolution based on my motion, in time for submission to UBCM’s annual convention in September. In the meantime, I encourage you to write to the Minister responsible for youth custody, Stephanie Cadieux, Minister of Children and Family Development, requesting her to re-consider her government’s position.
Thank you and please contact me with any questions.