Send an email

You have the right to make your voice heard. We have provided several template emails that you can send to the Mayor of Nanaimo, your MLA, the Minister for Housing and the Premier. If you want to add your own comments, simply add them at the bottom of the form, select the recipient and click Send. Make your voice heard.

Template: *

I am writing to you to ask that you put an immediate freeze on the development of low barrier housing at 6025 Uplands Drive until a full consultation has been undertaken with the community. The City and Council have failed to hear the voice of the people and are continuing with a development that will negatively affect our community. As a resident of Nanaimo, I have the right to be heard and want you to take immediate action to freeze the development. I understand that the funding from BC Housing will not be lost if the development is put on hold, or if the location is changed and therefore freezing the development at this stage will not have a negative impact on the City finances or the program funding. Please hear the voice of your concerned citizens and take action now before it is too late.

Why is the City of Nanaimo Council not hearing the voice of its people? As a registered voter, I have the right to be heard and yet, despite over 1,400 signatures being presented to the City Council on October 17 against the development of low barrier housing, its is still continuing. A recent meeting of the Concerned Citizens of Nanaimo was held and the Mayor and Council failed to attend (with the exception of Cllr. Bestwick); this shows a complete disregard of the voters in Nanaimo - the City has failed to consult, and when the public put a forum in place, elected officials fail to turn up. The meeting heard arguments from both sides of the issue, and was well attended, with 400 people in the Oliver Woods Community Centre taking part in discussions. I want an immediate freeze on the development at 6025 Uplands Drive as the community should be heard.

When 6025 Uplands Drive was announced by the City of Nanaimo as a potential site for the development of low barrier housing, no consultation was undertaken with the local community. Several Councillors referred to the site as a 'done deal' and refuse to hear objections from the public. The initial Memorandum of Understanding that was signed by the City of Nanaimo and BC Housing clearly stated that a period of consultation must be undertaken with the communities where low barrier housing is intended. Further, BC Housing CEO Shayne Ramsay has confirmed in a letter to the Concerned Citizens of Nanaimo that the site selection is 100% the responsibility of the City. The process that has been followed by the City and City Council is flawed and flies in the face of the agreement with BC Housing for social housing development. I would like to know why the City acted the way it did, and what measures the city will be taking to resolve the conflict with the communities affected by the low barrier housing developments. I call for an immediate freeze on development until full consultation and feasibility studies have been conducted at each site to ensure that the communities continue to grow and are safe for our seniors and children.

You can email a standard response to your MLA, the Minister for Housing, The Premier or the Mayor of Nanaimo. Simply select the template you wish to use, add any comments you want to in the box at the bottom of the screen, and select who your email should be directed to.

Recipients: *

Ron Cantelon, Mla

John Ruttan, Mayor of Nanaimo

Christy Clark, Premier of British Columbia

BC Housing

Please Choose One of or all recipients

Email: *

Please enter your Email Address

Comments: *

Add any comments or questions you may have regarding the issue.