Community Articles
General News · 7th March 2025
Mark Vonesch
Paper copies of the Survey are available in all the post offices.
Online Survey:
https://srd.ca/cortes-zoning-bylaw-review/
Deadline March 14th at 12pm
Thank you everyone for your passion and willingness to share your thoughts and ideas about the maximum house size question on Cortes.
I have received a lot of emails and social media messages and recognize this is a heated discussion on both sides of question.
I spoke with SRD staff this morning and they are going to extend the survey deadline by one week to March 14th at 12pm. I hope that allows more time to ensure everyone has the chance to fill the survey out.
Regarding the validity of the survey, SRD staff have assured me they have measures in place to make sure the results are as accurate and fair as possible - including monitoring IP addresses for where surveys come in from, checking for duplicates, and checking each one to make sure there aren’t any other anomalies.
It’s also important to note that this discussion is happening on the traditional and unceded territories of the Klahoose, Homalco, and Tla'amin Nations whose land was stolen at the beginning of colonization on our island. As a member of the First Nations Relations Committee at the SRD, I am working hard to bring more truth and reconciliation to the SRD and to implement the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous People’s Act (DRIPA). We have a long way to go and I am dedicated to moving things forward in a good way.
For those unfamiliar with DRIPA please check out this link:
https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/governments/indigenous-people/new-relationship/united-nations-declaration-on-the-rights-of-indigenous-peoples
Some people have asked me to take a strong public side on this maximum house size question, but I trust you all to provide me with guidance through this survey consultation.
I understand the folks who think there shouldn’t be any restrictions at all and I also understand those that think putting some level of maximum house size on Cortes is a question worth considering. I value everyone’s opinion and look forward to the results.
Please take a moment to have your voice heard here:
https://srd.ca/cortes-zoning-bylaw-review/
I also think that developing a system to better allow community consultation to happen is needed. If we can login to do our banking, why can’t we login to prove where we live or own property and contribute to decision making? In addition to paper surveys for those not online, It is something I am working to develop and please feel free to reach out with ideas and suggestions.
Mark Vonesch
Cortes Island Regional Director
mvoneschsrd.ca
mb: 250-202-4422
Online Survey:
https://srd.ca/cortes-zoning-bylaw-review/
Deadline March 14th at 12pm
Thank you everyone for your passion and willingness to share your thoughts and ideas about the maximum house size question on Cortes.
I have received a lot of emails and social media messages and recognize this is a heated discussion on both sides of question.
I spoke with SRD staff this morning and they are going to extend the survey deadline by one week to March 14th at 12pm. I hope that allows more time to ensure everyone has the chance to fill the survey out.
Regarding the validity of the survey, SRD staff have assured me they have measures in place to make sure the results are as accurate and fair as possible - including monitoring IP addresses for where surveys come in from, checking for duplicates, and checking each one to make sure there aren’t any other anomalies.
It’s also important to note that this discussion is happening on the traditional and unceded territories of the Klahoose, Homalco, and Tla'amin Nations whose land was stolen at the beginning of colonization on our island. As a member of the First Nations Relations Committee at the SRD, I am working hard to bring more truth and reconciliation to the SRD and to implement the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous People’s Act (DRIPA). We have a long way to go and I am dedicated to moving things forward in a good way.
For those unfamiliar with DRIPA please check out this link:
https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/governments/indigenous-people/new-relationship/united-nations-declaration-on-the-rights-of-indigenous-peoples
Some people have asked me to take a strong public side on this maximum house size question, but I trust you all to provide me with guidance through this survey consultation.
I understand the folks who think there shouldn’t be any restrictions at all and I also understand those that think putting some level of maximum house size on Cortes is a question worth considering. I value everyone’s opinion and look forward to the results.
Please take a moment to have your voice heard here:
https://srd.ca/cortes-zoning-bylaw-review/
I also think that developing a system to better allow community consultation to happen is needed. If we can login to do our banking, why can’t we login to prove where we live or own property and contribute to decision making? In addition to paper surveys for those not online, It is something I am working to develop and please feel free to reach out with ideas and suggestions.
Mark Vonesch
Cortes Island Regional Director
mvoneschsrd.ca
mb: 250-202-4422