The district of Sooke is trying to find a better solution to the continued problem of derelict boats - especially after the latest sinking of a boat in the harbour near Stickelbacks restaurant. The boat is still sitting on the bottom of the harbour.
CEO Teresa Sullivan says when these things happen taxpayers foot the bill for clean up -- but not before rundown vessels cause environmental damage.
Sullivan says Sooke is working in partnership with the T'souke First Nation to make a joint application to the federal government for grant monies to finally address this issue. And Sullivan has some advice for federal politicians:
"They need to start delegating responsibility, not just delegate responsibility, but provide the funding for local governments to be able to deal with this in an effective way and as a regional strategy. Because it makes no sense for Victoria to get these derelict vessels, and or squatters, moved out of the gorge waterway because they end up in Saanich, in Cadboro Bay, and then they get pushed out elsewhere and elsewhere."
Sullivan says it's going to take a regional strategy with all municipalities working together to find a solution to the problem of derelict boats.