VICTORIA -- Today the Capital Regional District (CRD) voted unanimously to stop a planned 260-unit resort development near the Juan de Fuca (JDF) Trail. The decision follows last week’s public hearings, which lasted a record-breaking three nights. 

“This vote is a victory for ‘people power’ -- the CRD board members were clearly convinced to change their mind because of the overwhelming show of public opposition,” said Wilderness Committee Pacific Coast Campaigner Tria Donaldson. 

“People in Victoria, and people all over the world, have a deep connection to the Juan de Fuca Trail,” said Donaldson. “There is a huge appetite to see Ender Ilkay’s land permanently added to the Juan de Fuca Park.”

The Wilderness Committee is calling for cooperation from all levels of government to find the approximately five million dollars needed to purchase the land and add it to the park.

“We would never have been in this mess if the provincial government had not deleted the forest lands from Tree Farm licences without consultation,” said Donaldson.  

“The Juan de Fuca forest lands are a vital piece of Vancouver Island’s wilderness and recreation values. It is time to expand the park system in this area to permanently protect these lands,” said Donaldson. 

Contact:

Tria Donaldson, Pacific Coast Campaigner, Wilderness Committee, cell: 250-686-9249