To the Editor,
It is unclear that city council has been duly and fully informed of the ramifications of the proposed Nanaimo Boat Basin lease.
Given there is both a city appointee on the Nanaimo Port Authority and a port/city liaison committee, it is curious, and long overdue for them to fully report (if necessary “in camera”, at least with regard to the confidential legal aspects) to council so that it can publicly advise whether the proposal, in general, is in the best interests of the citizens and taxpayers of Nanaimo.
And, without breaching the necessary and real (as opposed to merely inconvenient) confidential aspects, publicly verify that Protection Islanders and other citizens are not unduly or detrimentally affected.
Council is obligated to represent the best interests of its citizens and taxpayers. It can, and must, do so without breaching its relationship with the port authority. There well may be confidential aspects but they do not impede council’s ability or obligation to report publicly on the overall risks and benefits.
Let’s not forget that the port authority is the trustee of public assets, not privately owned ones. It too is obligated to act in the public’s interest and do so clearly and candidly.
One wonders why a full call for proposals is not the course of action. There may be better options available.
Unless one asks, one doesn’t know.
Gary Korpan
Nanaimo
