What is really happening at Pedder Bay?

Each year just before Christmas the local firefighters bring Santa to Pedder Bay Trailer Park in the fire truck so that he can hand out candies to the kids (both big and small). It is shaping up to be a sad Christmas at Pedder Bay this year. I usually write my own updates about Pedder Bay but this time, my friend and colleague Shanne McCaffrey has done such a great job it would be a shame not to send her heart-felt letter along to you....

Hello Friends

I would initially just like to say that I am very grateful and honoured to be supported and encouraged by such a wonderful community as yourselves.  THANK YOU!  For all your good words and contributions that you have given so generously.  

This is an update on our Pedder Bay situation which many of you are aware of.
Last January, myself and 28 other homes were given eviction notices at Pedder Bay Trailer park by owner, Bob Wright, principal owner of Oak Bay Marine Group.  Those notices are still valid and demand our eviction by January 31, 2008.  The problem is our homes are no longer moveable and we would have to walk away from them.   

Our diverse community of modest incomes people have been battling the past year to try to resolve this issue through the legal court system. Our park is comprised of seniors, veterans, widows, people with disabilities and chronic illness and single parent families as well as trades people and professionals.  In the past year, illness, stress, bankruptcy, marital breakups have visited our close knit community, in some cases many times over.

In the summertime, we went to Summary Trial at the behest of Oak Bay Marine Group.  A trial that was supposed to take a few hours ended up taking three days.  In the end, the esteemed Justice Wilson decided that the issues were too complex to decide in that format and dismissed all of them stating that they needed to be decided at a full trial.  

At the end of the November, we asked the court to adjourn our trial that was scheduled by Oak Bay Marine Group in January. The adjournment would give our community time to continue fundraising and our lawyer also had a conflicting trial at the same time in January. Furthermore an adjournment would also give community time to collect and put together the vast amounts of evidence from all residents and homeowners.

We were quite taken aback when the adjournment was denied by Justice McKinnon. Oak Bay Marine Group lawyers took the liberty of bringing in our lawyers conflicting case that was also scheduled to trial in January.  A pre-conference had occurred between the conflicting case and Oak Bay Marine Group before the adjournment hearing. The conflicting case then offered to step down so our community of Pedder Bay would be forced to go to trial instead!  Our lawyer no longer had two cases scheduled for the same day in January. Our lawyer quipped that in over 30 years of practice, he had never seen a case dart through the system like ours has. The moss has not grown around our feet or hands at all this year.

The residents and community of Pedder Bay will be going to Trial scheduled January 07, 2008 and are scheduled for the whole month of January.  It is possible that it will run a longer course as it is expected that 70 witnesses may be called for Pedder Bay alone. On a positive note, the keen students at UVIC have decided to take up the challenge and offer their time to work pro bono with our lawyer, Mr. Richard Margetts, Q.C.  We are very grateful for their time and commitment and look forward to having them at our table.

To date, we are the only community in Canada that is fighting what is touted to be "consumer protection legislation"; Manufactured Home Park Tenancy Act.  We as home owners have no protection and many of us are losing our biggest asset.  Many eyes are on us from trailer owners, park owners, industry, social housing, the BC Government to social justice communities.  At least one other eviction has a pending decision from the Rental Tenancy Board that is dependent on our outcome in January.

I could not be more proud and honoured to stand with the wonderful people of Pedder Bay.  They humble me with their strength, courage and resilience.  The ability to laugh, share and the mutual support has been awe inspiring in light of the difficulties and challenges they all face daily.

In closing, if you feel there is an opportunity to support our community, I would encourage you to act on that impulse. Prayers, good wishes, talk, passing information, ideas, involvement, and donations are all welcomed and genuinely valued.

Donations can be made in the name of Pedder Bay Residents Society.

Our community address is:

Pedder Bay Residents Society
#1 - 925 Pedder Bay Drive
Victoria, BC, Canada
V9C 4H1

My biggest thanks and most affectionate hug for each of you. Please accept my most sincere wishes of health, peace and wellness in the holiday season.  

Take good care, Shanne McCaffrey

Thank you Shanne for saying so well what needs to be said. For further back ground and previous updates please see "A Small Community fights to save their homes"

Terrill Welch
Executive Leadership Coach

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