Re: “Province to review heritage law after battle over Grace Islet,” Jan. 17.
Dealing with these issues from a property owner’s perspective in real estate on a weekly basis, it appears that you have missed the opinion of a very important stakeholder in this process, the property owner.
It is mentioned that “the heritage act attempts to balance private property rights with the province’s obligation to preserve heritage sites.”
There is little or no balance toward the rights of the property owner, as Grace Islet has proven. Barry Slawsky purchased this property 24 years ago and was trying to build his dream home here using the criteria of the Heritage Act. He was ridiculed by protesters and even local government representatives.
As we have seen over and over, the property owner is forced to pay the expense for the archeological study and receives no relief from government, even though paying property taxes, except in rare cases.
It is wrong that the government is willing to partner in the purchase of heritage sites in B.C. but is unwilling to support property owners in relieving the burden of cost. I would like to see a tally of what the government spends each year on purchasing heritage sites compared to what they pay back to property owners who are footing the excavation and archeological inspection costs.
This is a one-sided act and definitely needs to be revised. At the very least, the government should be looking at property tax relief in the amount of Heritage Act costs.
Scott Piercy
Victoria
