By Spencer Sterritt

BC Housing approved to defend supportive housing project in Parksville

Dec 27, 2018 | 2:43 PM

PARKSVILLE — The names have changed at the top of a petition against the 49-unit supportive housing project coming to Parksville in spring 2019.

BC Housing and the Provincial Rental Housing Corporation will now be listed as respondents to the matter, filed by community members opposed to the project being developed at 222 Corfield St. S.

Supreme Court Justice Robin Baird said in his written decision the province should be allowed to defend the housing because the City of Parksville is withdrawing their objection.

“Their participation in the proceedings is necessary to make sure that all aspects of the case are effectually adjudicated,” he wrote. “This is particularly so now because, for reasons that no authorised official has yet articulated, the City seems prepared to concede the petition.”

An affidavit filed during the province’s application hearing revealed the City of Parksville’s lawyer received instructions from councillors to “not challenge or defend the petition.”

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The decision by the City was a shock since a response claiming there was no deficiency or issues with their process about the supportive housing project had already been filed in the courts.

As Baird noted numerous times in his decision, however, the fall municipal election had shaken up Parksville’s council. Based on previous responses to media, support for the project among councillors had dropped significantly.

“They are prepared to consent to an order quashing the amending bylaw. They have not given reasons for this decision. Importantly, however, the City has never conceded there was anything improper or defective in the process leading to the amending bylaw’s adoption and enactment,” Baird said.

He also criticized the City’s method of trying to file what’s known as a desk order, which would have agreed to concede the matter and skip a hearing entirely.

“Such an approach, on the facts as I appreciate them, would have been decidedly offside. The issues raised in the petition must be fully and publicly aired.”

It’s unknown when the matter will be back in court.

Ground is expected to be broken at 222 Corfield St. S. in January.

spencer@nanaimonewsnow.com

On Twitter: @spencer_sterrit