Sidney council has decided that the Tulista boat ramp will be closed B次元官网网址渋n response to the Canadian Coast GuardB次元官网网址檚 appeal to avoid non-essential boating.B次元官网网址�

Like most Canadians, I am well aware that we must all help in this crisis. Far be it from me to question the logic of our Coast Guard, but IB次元官网网址檓 at a loss to understand how it can be of any benefit to curtail a segment of the population from what is arguably the ultimate in social distancing. Seriously, can one be any farther away from everyone else than when one is alone (or with immediate family) on the water?

But why target only one part of the local boating community? The Coast Guard did say B次元官网网址渘on-essential boatingB次元官网网址� so one presumes they meant all non-essential boating. Then why not close down all the Sidney marinas? Port of Sidney and Van Isle Marina for instance. Why not ban all those who have boats in Sidney marinas, clubs, on private docks or mooring buoys from accessing their vessels? Seems short sighted (some might claim B次元官网网址榟alf-baked) to target only one segment.

Mayor and councillors, you may believe you are doing your part to B次元官网网址榮top the spreadB次元官网网址� but on this one youB次元官网网址檙e wrong. Failing a coordinated closure of all boat ramps on the South Island, boaters will simply find other launch sites, unfortunately ones that are farther away. Inconvenient yes, more fuel used for sure, overcrowding certainly B次元官网网址� but they will find a spot to launch.

All you are doing is moving B次元官网网址榯he problemB次元官网网址�.

It would be quite simple to enforce a B次元官网网址榙istancing policyB次元官网网址� at Tulista. One boat on the dock at a time, two metres between any other people waiting for launch/recovery. ItB次元官网网址檚 not rocket science B次元官网网址� hell, every business thatB次元官网网址檚 currently open has learned the program. B次元官网网址淲hoB次元官网网址檚 going to enforce this?B次元官网网址� you ask. Well, I suspect there are a few municipal employees that are under-used right now - thatB次元官网网址檇 be my first choice. If not them, the news tells us about all the folks that are currently unemployed B次元官网网址� surely something could be worked out.

May I suggest that you recognize that boating can be a method to both socially distance and to provide an a bit of relief in these troubling times, and that you rescind the closure of Tulista? ThereB次元官网网址檚 a way to make this a win-win situation for everyone here. Deciding to take a myopic view isnB次元官网网址檛 it.

Mike Pearson

North Saanich