And the Plot Thickens...

Well the plot thickens in the case of WAM development's attempt to have their plans to build a mega marina in the already overcrowded Victora harbour approved. An article was published in the Globe and Mail by Mark Hume called, "Unease over political ties taking the wind out of proposed marina's sails" has a LOT to say about further political ties of Community Marine Concepts and WAM Development.

Besides the already noted local political connections published by Monday Magazine, the Globe and Mail article alludes to the possibility of political interference on a grand scale.  A quote from the article reads,

Mr. Lunn's fundraising chair is Bob Evans, vice-president of Community Marine Concepts, which is jointly pursuing the marina with WAM Development Group.

Mr. Lunn's riding president is Jo-Anne Bilodeau, whose brother is Conservative Environment Minister Jim Prentice. (Opponents of the marina asked Mr. Prentice to order an environmental assessment by an independent review panel, but he refused.)

And Mr. Lunn's campaign manager in 2008 was Bruce Hallsor, a Victoria lawyer and federally registered lobbyist for WAM Development.

Last year, Mr. Hallsor discussed the marina with Lawrence Cannon, who was then transportation minister. Although he is not registered as a provincial lobbyist, he also met with Stan Hagen, when he was B.C. tourism minister.

In a letter to Mr. Hallsor, Mr. Hagen states: “At our meeting on January 23, 2007, you outlined a proposal for a high-end marina capable of berthing 80-foot to 120-foot yachts. … We support [these] plans to initiate tourism activity in the Victoria harbour, and look forward to hearing more about these exciting developments.”

Mr. Hallsor, together with Mr. Evans, also met in 2007 with B.C. Finance Minister Colin Hansen, which raised some concerns among ministry staff.

“I understand that Hon. Stan Hagen, Minister of Tourism Sports & the Arts, sent a letter of support to the proponents,” Todd Bailey, an official, wrote in an e-mail to a colleague. “Perhaps I am reading this meeting wrong, but I suspect that Community Marine Concepts will likely be seeking a letter of support from our Minister as well.”

If the article is correct in its assertions and the information in the letters and other documents, released by the Environmental Law Centre at the University of Victoria,  this is very much a David and Goliath story that is developing.  The South Island Sea Kayak Association, paddlers of Ocean River Paddling Club, Gorge Rowing and Paddling Club and the Victoria Canoe and Kayak Club represent David with their small political voices, although in the hundreds and with their ultralight hand powered paddlecraft.  Goliath appears to be all about 50 to 120 foot yachts and a large leveraged political voice.

It will be interesting to see whether the honorable Garry Lunn, MP and others, apparently connected by association with Goliath, will be able to avoid any perception of a conflict of interest.   The battle would appear to be over the revenue gained by servicing of some 50 foreign yachts over the interests of a small flotilla of kayaks and ocean racing canoes paddled by the "little guys", that number in the hundreds and who pay Canadian taxes.

In reading the Globe and Mail article, one could assume Mr. Evans and Mr Hallsor must be very concerned with the political interests of the public, as they appear to be assisting so much with the political decision making."