Mike Hicks will get a say when a mediator tries to end disputes over the Capital Regional DistrictB次元官网网址檚 growth strategy.

Piping water to rural areas is the contentious issue in the strategy, with some CRD directors concerned about urban sprawl, especially in the Juan de Fuca area.

Hicks, CRD director for the Juan de Fuca Electoral Area, appealed to Premier John Horgan asking him to intervene.

The province replied with Municipal Affairs Minister Selina Robinson saying she doesnB次元官网网址檛 want to see the current non-binding mediation process, begun six months ago, drag on any longer than Nov. 30.

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CRD directors at last weekB次元官网网址檚 meeting, outraged that the province was stepping in, voted to ask Robinson for an extension to allow the mediation to resolve outstanding issues with the strategy. They also voted to allow Hicks to present his case to the mediator. The mediator on Friday agreed to the request.

Earlier, Hicks was not invited to take part in mediation because he didnB次元官网网址檛 represent a municipal government, although he represents a area larger than Highlands and Metchosin.

Seven of the 13 municipalities in the CRD B次元官网网址� Saanich, Central Saanich, North Saanich, View Royal, Highlands, Colwood and Esquimalt B次元官网网址� are worried that allowing CRD water to be piped to the Juan de Fuca area could lead to urban sprawl.

ItB次元官网网址檚 a claim both Hicks and Sooke council disagree with suggesting local official community plans protect those areas from over development.

Hicks has always maintained there should be no barrier to water in the Juan de Fuca, which is an unincorporated area that includes the west coast of Vancouver Island from Otter Point to Port Renfrew, as well as the communities of East Sooke, Malahat and Willis Point.

Sooke faces many of the same challenges as the Juan de Fuca, said Mayor Maja Tait.

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B次元官网网址淲e do have areas in Sooke that donB次元官网网址檛 have piped water, mainly in more rural areas. With the way the regional growth strategy is proposed we may never have water to these areas,B次元官网网址� she said. B次元官网网址淲e do have residents now, due to climate change, that truck in their water, and itB次元官网网址檚 also a concern for firefighting in certain areas.B次元官网网址�

The CRD set a date for mediation for Dec. 6-7, before receiving the Nov. 30 deadline letter from the province.

Hicks welcomed the opportunity to present to the mediator.

B次元官网网址淭he reality is the CRD is giving us an equal chance to be part of the mediation,B次元官网网址� he said. B次元官网网址淚 just donB次元官网网址檛 know if itB次元官网网址檚 legal. The interesting part is what the province is going to say.B次元官网网址�

If mediation fails, the growth strategy stalemate could be sent to binding arbitration by the province.

Hicks said heB次元官网网址檚 B次元官网网址�100 per cent confidentB次元官网网址� that if it goes to arbitration, the decision would favour the Juan de Fuca Electoral Area.

The growth strategy deals with development within the CRD, including land use, ecosystem preservation, transportation, economic potential and measures to contain urban sprawl.

The strategy is supposed to be updated every five years. The proposed growth strategy has taken more than 10 years at a cost of $1 million, according to CRD staff.