K’ómoks First Nation approve of decision to delay KIP project.

By Lindsay Chung - Comox Valley Record - February 13, 2008

The K’omoks First Nation feels the provincial government’s decision to delay the approval of the Kensington Island Properties development in Union Bay was the right one.

“They said there hadn’t been enough consultation with the K’omoks First Nation, which is what we said, so we agree with that decision,” said Albert Peeling, the band’s lawyer.

The Ministry of Community Services did not approve the bylaw because it felt more time was needed to complete consultations with the First Nation.

The K’omoks First Nation was caught in the middle, as the CSRD took the position that the responsibility for consultation with the First Nation rested with the provincial government, and the government took the position that responsibility rested with the CSRD, said Peeling.

“There needs to be a consultation protocol negotiated between the regional district and the K’omoks First Nation so this doesn’t happen in the future,” he said.

“We don’t want to be caught in the situation we we're caught in ... that’s unacceptable.”

The band concedes this consultation protocol needs to be worked out in consultation with the band and not forced upon it, he added.