TUESDAY November 25, 2014 Vol. 29 • No. 94 ••• $1.25 inc. G.S.T.
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Supreme Court judge will revisit case in four months Scott Stanfield Record Staff
PHOTO BY EARLE COUPER
The Christmas season officially began in Courtenay over the weekend, with the annual Moonlight and Magic event, culminating in the Christmas parade and, ultimately, Santa’s arrival in the Comox Valley.
Comox Valley Métis community continues to grow Record Staff
From learning how to carve a paddle to creating miniature button blankets, Catherine Turner and Bryce Mercredi hope resources in the Comox Valley community will strengthen the growing Métis community in the region. The duo are part of the Miki’siw Métis Association,
an organization created in 2004 which focuses on building resources for individuals and families of Métis descent on northern Vancouver Island. Mercredi, who is the president of the association, said there are 36 self-governing communities within the province, with citizenship processed by the Métis Nation British Columbia (MNBC). The local association now has
A legal dispute between the regional district and an Area B resident who lives in a trailer on property zoned Rural ALR has been adjourned for four months. The zoning prohibits John Reiter from occupying the trailer longer than 60 days in a 12-month period, but the 63-year-old claims the time limit is only enforced when there is a complaint. Last year, the CVRD board voted to proceed with legal action against Reiter in an effort to obtain compliance. There have so far been two hearings in Supreme Court. Reiter, who lives on Farmview Road off Dyke Road, had his day in court Nov. 7. “He (Justice Kent) told the regional district openly that he’s not happy with this,” said Reiter, noting the district had no reply when asked what harm he is doing. Kent asked if Reiter felt a change in governance would make a difference. “And I said, ‘Yes.’ I said, ‘These
320 members, and with more than 67,000 self-identified Métis in B.C., Mercredi added the organization serves a variety of roles in the Valley. They are part of the Aboriginal Education Council ceremony in conjunction with School District 71 and there are resources for those who have recently discovered their Métis heritage.
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decisions made in back rooms on limited information without fair representation, they’re very easy to make’.” Rod Nichol — the new Area B director who defeated Jim Gillis in the Nov. 15 election — has said he sides with Reiter. According to Reiter, Kent said he would put the matter in “his personal court” when the case comes back before him. “In four months he will be the sitting judge, there will not be a change in judge,” Reiter said. “If he looks at local policy, that will send ramifications through every court, every town in B.C.” Reiter feels the CVRD has lacked oversight and acted with impunity. Derald Lewis, manager of bylaw compliance and special investigations, feels the district has exercised leniency by allowing residents to live 60 days in a trailer. “My argument was that they’re not following their own policies,” Reiter said, noting Kent did not say in whose favour he would rule. “It’s very plain he didn’t want to go inside the doors of local government. He’s giving us an opportunity with new governance to let this go away, and drop it.”
reporter@comoxvalleyrecord.com
John Reiter has been in an ongoing legal battle with the regional district regarding his living accommodations on his own land. The CVRD says he is not allowed to live in a trailer. PHOTO BY SCOTT STANFIELD
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