The Regional District of Nanaimo has begun the process of selecting its nominee for the B.C. Ferry Authority.
The ferry authority appoints the board of directors for B.C. Ferries and establishes remuneration for directors and certain executives. Out of nominees for the regional districts of Nanaimo, Comox Valley, Alberni-Clayoquot, Powell River and Strathcona – the Central Vancouver Island and Northern Georgia Strait appointment area – one director will be selected to serve a three-year term beginning April.
As of Friday, no applications had been received according to Matt O'Halloran, Regional District of Nanaimo legislative coordinator, but he did suspect there would be significant community interest.
“The (Nanaimo) board is going to consider all applications at a closed session on Nov. 25 and then following that meeting, if there's a nomination, that nomination will be reported publicly through the minutes,” said O'Halloran.
Candidates must meet certain qualifications set out by the authority. They must not be in public office or work for a municipality, regional district, trust council or greater board in the appointment zone. They can’t be a member of a union that represents B.C. Ferries or a worker or executive of B.C. Ferries. Directors must meet ethical standards and be financially literate.
“There's no guarantee that the [Regional District of Nanaimo] board nominee will end up being the appointment,” said O'Halloran. “It keeps it at arms length, from being a direct appointment of the regional district.”
Randy Morriss, the Regional District of Nanaimo's previous nominee, is the incumbent area director and according to O’Halloran, while he would be eligible for a second term, the board has opted to put out a call for applications.
To find out more information or to download an application form, please go to www.rdn.bc.ca/cms.asp?wpID=3373.
reporter@nanaimobulletin.com