First Nations, Parks Funding, and Sea-level Rise: A Year-end Interview with Regional District of Nanaimo Director and Chair Vanessa Craig

Vanessa Craig joins Life on Gabriola TV's Frank Moher for a year-end interview. Craig is Director for Area B (Gabriola, Mudge, DeCourcy) of the Regional District of Nanaimo and Chair of the RDN.

Topics include recent remarks by a Snuneymuxw First Nation representative regarding the RDN; a significant increase in funding for community parks on Gabriola and elsewhere; upcoming work on the Village Way Path; and plans to require development permits for areas prone to coastal flooding.

Craig also reflects on RDN achievements and challenges in the past year, and looks ahead to 2024.

Key moments:
2:15: Craig's response to remarks by Snuneymuxw First Nation representative Desiree Thomas at a recent RDN committee meeting. Thomas was critical of the engagement process for the Parks and Trails Master Plan. (See our previous coverage of that here.)
7:00: Increased funding to the Gabriola Land & Trails Trust (GaLTT), and its plans to improve accessibility at Descanso Bay Regional Park.
11:12: Proposed 14.75% increase in funding for community parks in Electoral Area B. What will the results be?
15:00: Discussion of the Gertie bus system, Gabriola's only form of public transportation, and the reversal of its decision to shut down entirely during the holiday period.
17:28: Village Way Path. Mobility issues willl be addressed with new paving, but environmental concerns have, in turn, been raised.
23:10: Development Permit Areas for Coastal Flood Hazards.
29:19: Craig's reflections on achievements and challenges in the past year, and what's coming up in 2024.

Life on Gabriola TV is generously sponsored by:
The Gabriola Arts Council
The Haven, Gabriola Island

Journalist: Frank Moher

For Life on Gabriola TV's holiday video greeting to our community, see here!