VICTORIA A Metchosin councillor who travelled to Mexico over the Christmas holidays to attend a friend’s wedding against public health advice has stepped down from her position as deputy mayor. Coun. Kyara Kahakauwila offered an apology during a planning committee meeting on Monday: I made a bad decision, I ve learned from it, Kahakauwila said. Tonight I am stepping down as deputy mayor, and I am making the recommendation to council that we change the position to acting mayor as per the community charter. This change will allow all members of council an opportunity to take the role of Acting Mayor on.
The Boys and Girls Club of Victoria is now considering the development of a 40-acre portion. The area is already zoned for that purpose and Mayor John Ranns has said in the past that a subdivision proposal can bypass council and go directly to the municipality’s chief administration officer for approval. Ranns did not immediately return calls, but told other media that he’s “quite pissed off.” Metchosin resident Jay Shukin called the subdivision plan a “big, big disappointment,” adding the club has been given $300,000 in property-tax exemptions from the municipality over the last 10 years. “These lands were originally obtained from the provincial government under very favourable terms. When the transfer of Crown land occurred, it was perceived by local residents that these lands would be kept for an enduring public benefit, specifically, outdoor youth recreation and education programs.”
Conservative MP David Sweet gave up his position as chair of the House ethics committee (of all things) after vacationing in the U.S. Ron Liepert, another Conservative MP, has twice travelled to the Palm Desert in California, to deal with what his staff call “essential house maintenance issues.” Apparently there are no maintenance firms in the vicinity who could have done what was needed. NDP MP Niki Ashton lost her shadow cabinet roles after travelling to Greece. Senate Opposition Leader Don Plett vacationed in Mexico over the Christmas break. Six MLAs from Alberta holidayed abroad, one of whom, laughably, was parliamentary secretary for civil society.
Metchosin resident Rachel French said she’s disturbed that Kahakauwila has not apologized for leaving the country and showed a “cavalier attitude” by telling the media that travel is not illegal. While Kahakauwila quarantined for 14 days after her return to Canada, French said Kahakauwila put the citizens of Mexico at risk by not quarantining when she arrived in that country. Avril Yoachim said by making the choice to travel internationally, Kahakauwila stood apart from her neighbours and community and signalled that she’s above public health advice not to travel. “As a business owner, by stating a trip to Mexico is necessary, you insult others who own businesses and who continue to stagger under restrictions and loss of revenue,” Yoachim said.
At a tense council meeting Monday night, Metchosin’s mayor stood behind Coun. Kyara Kahakauwila even as some frustrated residents called on her to step down as deputy mayor because of her decision . . .