Protecting Our Community and FN Treatment Centre

For the past three years the community of Beaver Creek in Port Alberni has been vocally opposing the imposition of an industrial cannabis facility into our neighbourhood.  This proposed facility is being developed in immediate proximity to many family homes, and directly across the street from Kackaamin, an Aboriginal Family Treatment Centre that contains a daycare and K-12 school. We feel that our community is a completely inappropriate place for such an industrial development, as we are situated in a rural residential neighbourhood of family homes, many of which reside on less than one acre.  The facility is being planned on a property consisting of ALR land and 2 fish bearing creeks, one of which many local residents have water rights to.  The potential environmental dangers of this facility have been well documented in an environmental assessment that recommended it not be placed in such an environmentally sensitive area.

In addition to the environmental dangers presented we feel that this location is wholly inappropriate due to its proximity to Kackaamin.  Kackaamin is an addictions and family treatment centre that serves First Nations families from across Canada, who are struggling with addictions and trauma stemming from Canada's legacy of Residential Schools.  With the long list of concerns that a facility of this nature brings to a community, Kackaamin is concerned that their ability to offer treatment to adults and children will be undermined to the point where they are forced to shut down.

We have done extensive outreach to all levels of government over the past three years advocating that this facility be placed in a more appropriate location.  While we have spoken to many officials who have expressed sympathy and verbal support, this proposed cannabis facility seems to be proceeding unhindered.  Therefore we are starting this page to fund raise as it seems that litigation may be our only option left.