Backpacker Consultation Promise Just Lip-Service

By Elaine Macdonald

Promises of consultation and public hearings on the rezoning of the Queensway property now occupied by the Backpacker Motel, appear to be nothing more than smoke and mirrors for concerned residents.

Opinion 250 News has  received a copy of a letter from the Premier responding to the concerns of a local resident. READ THE LETTER

In the letter, Premier Gordon Campbell clearly states, “A new transitional housing development will be constructed on the site of the former Backpacker Motel”.  He goes on to say, “The Spruce Capital Hotel will also be renovated to provide youth with shelter beds and transitional housing.”  There is no mention of consultation, or a public hearing for re-zoning. The letter was written and signed by the Premier just seven days after the provincial election.

Local residents, members of the “Miller Addition-Connaught Hill Concerned Citizens” group have been pushing to have the plans for the Backpacker abandoned, as they fear their neighbourhood will be further damaged by the influx of the homeless and those with mental illness and addictions.  The area is already under pressure from prostitution.

The citizens say, given the Premier’s letter, the fact they were promised a public hearing on a re-zoning application and consultation is meaningless.

The Backpacker Motel site is currently zoned for tourism applications, and will need to undergo a public hearing as part of the re-zoning process.

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