Editor:
This letter was sent to Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation Minister Scott Fraser.
The Sunshine Coast Highway Society is committed to the construction of the Sunshine Coast’s first true highway. What we have now is not a highway by any definition and adequate upgrades of the existing road are both impractical and inappropriate, in our view. Further, there is very substantial support for our efforts as witnessed by the petition, with over 6,400 signatures, that was presented to the legislature by our MLA, Nicholas Simons, in March 2019.
We write to you today in respect of the negotiations that are in process between the provincial government and the Sechelt Indian Band regarding the proposed transfer of several parcels of land on the Sunshine Coast to the shíshálh.
Unfortunately, it seems that there has been minimal, if any, public consultation or engagement regarding these negotiations, despite such apparently involving the transfer of many thousands of acres.
Several studies have confirmed the need for and recommended location of the Sunshine Coast’s first true highway. This route traverses east-west through DL7613 as well as through a portion of existing Band Lands.
We ask that you ensure your negotiators are fully apprised of the importance of this issue and that they work with the shíshálh to ensure this vitally important corridor is retained by and transferred to the province.
The Sunshine Coast Highway Society supports the importance of reconciliation with and cooperation between the Sechelt Indian Band and all other residents of the Sunshine Coast. We suggest that an important part of the prosperity of the entire Sunshine Coast is ensuring that all regions have a sustainable, effective and reliable transportation network, of which a true highway is a vitally important part.
Robin Merriott, SC Highway Society
