General Meeting Minutes
May 20, 2009, 12 noon
Parksville Community & Conference Centre
In Attendance: Bruce Cownden, Chair Nigel Cavanagh
Shirley Wright Suzanne Hale
Denise Sakai Jeff Hale
Rob Hoffman Clara Ominger
Maureen Pilcher Marjorie Picard
Duane Round Garry Bentham
Dave Scott Michelle Jones
Kim Burden Bill Squires
George Hanson Guy Fletcher
Rob Hill
Guest Speaker: Honourable Ron Cantelon, MLA, Parksville-Qualicum Constituency
Guests: Councillor Mary Brouilette, Town of Qualicum Beach
Councillor Al Greir, City of Parksville
Marilyn Hayden, Recording Secretary
Bruce Cownden called the meeting to order at 12:15 P.M. and introduced the Honourable Ron Cantelon, MLA as guest speaker.
· Ron Cantelon thanked everyone for their support in the Provincial Election. The voter turn out in Parksville-Qualicum was 63.5% making this riding 3rd in line for voter turn out in the Province.
· Ron presented a new and tantalizing idea for forestry and construction industries. He passed a Cross Laminated Lumber Block around the table to illustrate the concept of producing the laminated blocks here in BC to supply world markets, thereby cutting down on exporting raw logs in BC.
· Ron reported that the first session of the Legislature would probably be in early June.
Questions:
· What is the status of a Health Care Centre for Oceanside?
o The concept would be an Urgent Care Centre and it is #1 on his list of priorities for Parksville-Qualicum Constituency.
· The Property Purchase Transfer Tax is unfair to builders and homebuyers. Will the government eliminate the tax and will you address the tax?
o The Property Purchase Tax brings in 1 billion of revenue for the government. This has dropped this past year and it is possible the government may review the tax.
· What is the time frame for an Urgent Care Facility?
o It could be 1 -3 years depending on the type of facility, whether it will be a renovated project or a new project. VIHA will be sending out requests for tender around the end of June, depending on the facility, it could take 6 months preparation and 18 months to build.
Bruce Cownden thanked Ron Cantelon for attending the meeting and answering questions. Ron Cantelon departed the meeting at this time.