North Cowichan’s mayor says he respects the collective bargaining process, but the transit strike needs to end and is asking the province to step up and resolve the five-month dispute.
In an open letter to Minister of Transportation Mike Farnworth, Rob Douglas says the strike has gone well beyond tolerable limits and is severely impacting the lives of those who rely on public transit.
“The effects of this strike are devastating and widespread, especially to seniors, those with disabilities, and low-income households,” Douglas says in an open letter. “This includes people dependent on routes that serve neighbourhoods and town centres, such as Crofton, Chemainus, Maple Bay and Berkey’s Corner, connecting them to the broader commercial core of the region surrounding the City of Duncan.”
The impact of the five-month-long strike hasn’t just impacted residents; Douglas says this has hit the commerce sector hard and will continue to do so as it drags on without intervention by the province.
“Community organizations have also echoed these concerns,” he says. “The Chemainus Harvest House Society, which operates food banks in the area, has shared heartbreaking stories about the ongoing hardship the strike is causing.
“Many affected individuals lack access not only to transportation, but also access to internet, leaving them unable to replace prescriptions, file taxes, obtain identification, or attend appointments.”
The strike has been in effect since Feb. 8, and Douglas says consequences are already present, and the province, as well as BC Transit, should take a more hands-on approach to dealing with the conflict.
