Nanoose Bay residents are organizing opposition to a planned vocational training school for people including those transitioning from homelessness and the corrections system.
A public meeting on Tuesday, April 15, at Nanoose Place filled the venue with residents interested in plans surrounding a Kaye Road property owned by the Delancey Street B.C. charity.
Delancey Street's website notes that no operational plan has been finalized, but the intention is that the property would be neither a rehab centre nor a corrections facility, and would operate primarily as a farm in keeping with its agricultural land reserve designation. Training programs currently being considered include regenerative agriculture, hospitality and tourism, trades, and catering and food processing.
"Our plans remain under development and have not yet been finalized or approved by our board," noted Kevin Bent, Delancey Street B.C. board member, in an e-mail.
He added that the charity wishes to correct "misinformation" that is circulating, saying Delancey Street B.C. is in full compliance with all legal and regulatory requirements, and "any future activities at the site will follow the appropriate legal channels and processes."
This week's public meeting in Nanoose Bay was organized by a group called the Oceanside Alliance, which questioned why a rural area was identified for this type of project, and voiced fears related to public safety. Speakers including Oceanside Alliance member Lois Moroz suggested that Delancey Street's model wouldn't come with appropriate health and mental health supports.
"I don't think anyone would disagree that we have an addiction and homelessness problem that is epidemic," she said. "How did it get this way and why is nothing solving the problem? We want to be part of the solution, but this location and this model is not the answer."
Joshua Dahling, co-founder of Lumara Grief and Bereavement Care Society and someone has lived with addiction, said people in treatment might have the best intentions to turn their lives around, but a percentage won't be successful and will turn to crime to score drugs. He expressed concern that Delancey Street B.C.'s model may be missing the necessary government support, health care, counselling, cultural supports and public safety considerations.
"It's going to set people up to fail and it's going to put people's lives at risk," he said. "I don't want to scare anybody, but that's from lived experience and from doing this work for a long time."
Also speaking at the meeting was Nigel Gray, a San Pareil resident who was the victim of a home invasion three weeks ago and said his wife will never again feel safe in their house or even in their yard.
"Our community must take a hard stand against the transfer of urban issues to our quiet, rural neighbourhoods," he said.
The only elected official to speak at the meeting was City of Parksville councillor and regional director Sean Wood. He said Delancey Street B.C. could be doing a better job of being respectful as it works on a "tricky development," and noted that no application has come in to either the RDN or the agricultural land commission.
"So I think these guys are terrified to do anything and they probably should be, because they already [soiled] the bed on the process."
Delancey Street B.C.'s website notes that neighbourhood safety is one of its primary concerns, and states that its programming is "highly structured" with one-on-one support systems and strict behaviour policies.
"Each resident has a personalized intake and exit plan that includes clear steps and protocols for all scenarios, including early departure. These plans prioritize both the well-being of the individual and the safety of the surrounding community," the charity notes. "If someone chooses to leave, staff work to ensure they have appropriate supports in place and do not simply 'walk away' into the neighbourhood without a plan."
Delancey Street adds that it has no plans to build additional housing on the property, and anticipates residents would use existing accommodations that are suitable for housing 25-30 people.
The charity issued a statement in advance of this week's meeting, criticizing what it called a "growing campaign of disinformation" and efforts to shape a narrative through fear.
"We call on all community members to critically assess the information being shared, seek out facts from reliable sources and resist the urge to be drawn into a campaign rooted in fear, dishonesty and manipulation," the statement noted.
