About Positively Forward and this report

The impetus for producing this report, “Improving CRD Service Delivery on Salt Spring Island: options for positive change”, lies in the referendum on incorporation held in 2017.

The incorporation referendum stimulated intense community debate around differing models of local governance. It became clear that while the majority of voters supported the current governance system and, in particular, the Islands Trust and its mandate, many of those same voters were at times frustrated by the performance of the Capital Regional District (CRD) in delivering some services.

Positively Forward wanted to identify specific  concerns and look at how they might be addressed. The resulting report provides an overview of CRD service delivery from the perspective of islanders who interact closely with the CRD and know something of its strengths and weaknesses. The report acknowledges the many successes achieved within the CRD administration on Salt Spring.  On the other hand, we heard about serous problems that need to be addressed.   We believe that the  success stories provide critical lessons for how (or a guide to how) other services can be improved.

Positively Forward hopes the report will become a catalyst for  changes within the CRD system. Equally important, we hope it will help inform the ongoing dialogue within our community about enhanced local governance.

In addition to the downloadable summary and full report available below, the report is available in hard copy at the library and printed copies are available for purchase at Apple Photo.