The long time residents of Cheanuh Marina campsite have been given 30 days eviction notice. Some residents have lived here for decades and have been allowed to put major additions on trailers here.
Although payment is on a monthly basis, with water supplied, all other amenities are the residents’ responsibility. So, this was not your average campsite.
On a recent news interview, a band member was quoted as saying “…If it’s a campsite, back up your truck, hook up your trailer and get out.”
Given the band permitted major add-ons to these trailers, the dismantling of these additions makes it difficult to simply hook up one’s tailer and get out in the time allotted.
Among the campsite’s full time resident population there are seniors, children, those on disability and low income. These people will be especially impacted with the 30 day notice.
In the news interview on July 12, the band chief stated the contract with developer David Butterfield was not signed, there was no definitive agreement. Given this information, we as residents are baffled at the necessity to get us out of Cheanuh in 30 days and that whatever we are not able to remove after August 12 becomes property of the Beecher Bay First Nation Band. Is it unfair to ask for a little compassion?
What is the rush?
To sum up, we as residents accept that the band wants to change the use of this property to benefit future generations, however we feel it is unreasonable and cruel to demand eviction in only 30 days.
Keith Blaikie
East Sooke
