April 19, 2010

Hundreds came by land and water, to protest the proposed Mega Yacht Marina at the Selkirk Waterway on Saturday.
The rally, organized by Save Our Harbour, included a vivid demonstration by kayakers and paddlers who rowed in through the passage way under the Johnson St. Bridge and settled in a formation to illustrate the seismic impact of the proposed project. Yellow balloons and tape were strung down the causeway to show the length and height.
The rally was supported by Save Victoria Harbour, Victoria Harbour Defense Alliance, Victoria West Community Association, a number of paddling and rowing organizations, members of the community and local businesses including Victoria Harbour Ferries.

“The issue here is very, very simple for us, the issue here isn’t about a harbour ferry, it’s not about an airplane, it’s not about a piece of fibreglass, it’s not about aesthetics, it’s not about the environment. All those things are important but the issue for Victoria Harbour Ferries is life,” said Barry Hobbis.

Speakers included Denise Savoie, NDP MP; Maurine Karagianis, NDP MLA; Peter Pollen, former Mayor of Victoria; Jo-Ann Youmans, President, Victoria West Community Association; Barry Hobbis of Victoria Harbour Ferries and Tim Houlihan, a representative of the paddling/rowing organizations.

The event highlighted the concerns from the public and from elected officials on safety, environmental impact, aesthetics and recreational use. Concerns were raised on the fairness of approval and consultation processes. Both Denise Savoie and Maurine Karagianis have been raising the community’s issues in their two levels of government. Both the province and the federal government are involved in the decision process.
“The paddlers and rowers that are opposed to Victoria International Marina are not against marinas. We are opposed to the location, size and scale of this marina; we are opposed to reduced access to navigable waters, increased risk and environmental impact,” said Tim Houlihan.

B Channel News is working on a feature piece on the Marina project; more to come soon.

May 5 UPDATE: The Marina project has received federal approval with regards to environmental impact to the Victoria harbour. The report by Transport Canada and Fisheries and Oceans Canada concluded “The project is not likely to cause significant adverse environmental effects”. The next step in the approval process will be a verdict under the Navigable Waters
Protection Act and is expected shortly.

Related News Links

Protesters demonstrate against mega yacht marina proposed for Victoria harbour
CP – April 18, 2010

Marina rivals swap arguments
Times Coloinist – April 10, 2010

‘Mega’ marina infringes water access: city
Vic News – April 5, 2010

Victoria mayor wants to sink yacht marina
CanWest – April 3, 2010

Songhees marina berths marketed despite lack of approval
Times Colonist – March 16, 2010

Battle Over Big Boats
Monday Magazine – February 11, 2010

MP requests investigation into Victoria marina lobbying
The Hook (thetyee.ca) – February 2, 2010

Testing The Waters
Monday Magazine – October 21, 2009

Liberals Smoothed Waters for Mega-Yacht Marina
thetyee.ca – October 15, 2009

Related Websites

Victoria International Marina Website
http://www.victoriainternationalmarina.ca/

Save Victoria Harbour
http://www.savevictoriaharbour.com/

UVic Environmental Law – Call for Independent Review on Proposed Mega
Yacht Marina (documents)
http://www.elc.uvic.ca/press/mega-yacht-submission.html

Blogs about Victoria Marina Project
http://en.wordpress.com/tag/victoria-international-marina/