New Brighton Dock Update - May 2024

New Brighton Dock Update                                            May 2024
Kate Stamford
Sunshine Coast Regional District - Area F Rural Director

Last November the SCRD Board declined a request by the Gambier Island Community Association to take on ownership of the facility.  It was determined that due to it’s status as a critical access point to the island, as well as being part of BC Ferries Route 13, it was better owned and managed by the Province.

The SCRD Board also agreed to provide support to me as the representative Rural Director for Gambier Island to advocate for provincial ownership/management.  Over the spring I have met several times with ministers and their staff at both the Min of Waters, Lands and Resource Stewardship as well as Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure.  I have also met with BC Ferries CEO regarding  Route 13 , and its connection ot the dock. 

While the Provincial representatives recognize the difficult situation Gambier Islanders are in, it has been a challenge to find a responsible authority within the government to coordinate a fix and a future for what was described by Minister Cullen as an “orphaned hot potato”.

One of the many complications has been the status of the facility with the Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw.  About six years ago the Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw Council indicated they were looking to divest the facility after the 5-year agreement with the Federal Government was completed in 2018-2019.  This process was delayed by the lack of a water lease, the Covid-19 pandemic, and an organizational restructuring within the Nation that brought the dock under the management of Nch’ḵay̓ Development Corporation (NDC or Nch’ḵay̓).  NDC is responsible for several of the largest development projects in Vancouver and reviewing the status of the New Brighton dock has understandably not been a high priority.

Recently, the Gambier Island Community Association – New Brighton Dock Sub Committee, reached out to NDC operations staff again to request clarity about the long-term future of the New Brighton Dock.  A virtual meeting was held on May 2nd with operations staff at Nch’ḵay̓, Jamie McJannet, Barb Miklashek, Danny Tryon and myself. NDC confirmed that they were still interested in divesting the facility and that the province had reached out to them to discuss the dock’s status with the Corporation.   

Nch’Kay staff said they are working with provincial representatives to find funding for major upgrades as determined by last year’s inspection.  Based on the inspection, NDC staff said the dock is structurally sound but repairs are required.  Ongoing minor fixes will continue to be managed by Quinn Schneider, from Mosquito Creek.

It was clear from the meeting that the community representatives and Nch’kay are united in the understanding that the New Brighton dock is an essential transportation hub with no realistic possibility of self-funding.  Therefore, the province is the logical point of responsibility.   Although they are not interested in managing the dock over the long term, the VP of Operations was emphatic that Nch’ḵay̓ will not walk away from the facility and will work with me as the designated representative from the Regional District to support a solution through the province.

This response from NDC helps present unified advocacy ask to the Province to find a solution that permits for the long-term public access to this critical transportation hub with an appropriate funding mechanism to maintain the facility appropriately.  Several key staff with WLRS and MoTI are willing to help move this goal forward despite still not having a clear path as to how.   

I understand the continued uncertainty about New Brighton is difficult.  We appreciate the community’s patience and understanding as the New Brighton sub-committee and I work together in advocating to the province and its agencies.  There are long periods of background discussion but no movement and then suddenly there are new developments.  A huge thank you to GICA and the Sub-Committee spokesperson, Jamie McJannet who has spearheaded the strategy to find a solution.  Both GICA and myself will continue to keep the community updated.