A spokesperson for a local society concerned about derelict boats in SaanichB次元官网网址檚 Cadboro Bay neighbourhood said he is B次元官网网址渧ery disappointedB次元官网网址� that the federal government excluded the area from additional funding.
Eric Dahli of the Dead Boats Society said municipal and provincial officials need to step up their lobbying efforts after the federal government did not include Saanich and Oak Bay for additional funding after adding $6.85 million to its Abandoned Boat Program.
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Of those funds, $412,475 is flowing going towards clean-up efforts in British Columbia. Dahli dismissed this figure as inconsequential in light of the needs across British Columbia.
B次元官网网址淭hat is absolutely nothing,B次元官网网址� he said. Of those funds, $404,350 will go towards the Indigenous-owned Salish Sea Industrial Services to remove 17 boats in the Salt Spring Island area, while Esquimalt is getting $5,625 for the removal of one boat and $2,500 for the assessment of another.
Dahli said he had not heard of Salish Sea Industrial Services until FridayB次元官网网址檚 announcement.
Tara Zajec, a spokesperson for the District of Saanich, said groups can continue to apply for funding under the program.
B次元官网网址淭he application period for assessment and removal projects through the federal governmentB次元官网网址檚 Abandoned Boats Program continues to be open,B次元官网网址� she said.
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Under the program, groups removing boats can receive reimbursement with a maximum of up to $5,000 per boat removal assessment and $50,000 per boat removal and disposal.
B次元官网网址淎t the beginning of the year, several boats in Cadboro Bay area were identified by the Dead Boats Society and Veins of Life Watershed Society as being derelict,B次元官网网址� she said. B次元官网网址淭he Veins of Life Watershed Society subsequently made a funding application to the [federal] government which we understand is still pending approval.B次元官网网址�
Zajac remains in support of increased action through resolutions similar to UBCM and Federation of Canadian MunicipalitiesB次元官网网址� 2017 resolution requesting additional funds for communities dealing with derelict and abandoned boats.
Dahli said in a subsequent interview that this information about the on-going availability of funding pleases him, but also reiterated his early concerns about the size of the federal commitment.
B次元官网网址淥ne quarter of the total fund for the West Coast would be used in Cadboro Bay,B次元官网网址� he said.
Cadboro Bay has been the site of various boats washing up on either the Saanich or Oak Bay side over the years. Two boats remain on stranded on the beach B次元官网网址� one of either side of the municipal border.
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