Ben McConchie

Former Local Trustee, North Pender Island (2018–2022) (also recorded as Benjamin McConchie)

North Pender Island · 4 years in office · 125,301 words on the record in 23 recorded meetings · 18 named motions in the minutes · present at 86 minuted meetings

Seats and terms

SeatAreaTermHowFromTo
Local TrusteeNorth Pender Island2018–2022general election2018-11-062022-11-18

In their own words

The most substantial lines attributed to Ben McConchie in the transcripts, grouped by meeting; each timestamp plays the Trust's recording from that second.

  1. North Pender Island Local Trust Committee community information meeting, April 29, 2021 2021-04-29

    • [2:07:52] “And then going, hey, welcome to Pender. You know, we don't flush the toilet. X, Y, Z. You know, the culture that exists here in the islands is a chance to connect with the local community. It's not some empty home that they rent out. It doesn't make any sense the way the accessory argument's been framed to me. For sure, it fits within the building code and there's a bunch of rules. But I mean, like, come on, like, it's not an accessory building. It's a little tiny, little eco-friendly little cottage. And it should be permitted.”
    • [1:39:46] “Well, one thing, just before we vote, just a comment on the motion. It's just, you know, get whatever quorum you can get for this. I know it's hard to schedule people, you know, so hopefully this isn't too hard to schedule. I know it can be challenging to get everyone in the room together. But the sooner the comments, the better would be great. So we can keep this moving.”
    • [2:13:35] “So I would like to go ahead and approve the temporary use permit that I'd like to make a motion that the North Bender Island Local Trust Committee approve issuance of proposed temporary use permit MPTUP 2021, which is Landale, for up to three years.”

  2. North Pender Island Local Trust Committee community information meeting, March 12, 2022 2022-03-12

    • [1:39:22] “certainly the Magic Lake property owners. I mean, I know that that particular marina is just open to them, I think, or the cost savings. I'm not sure you can speak. I'm speaking off the cuff, but I do know there's lots of slips there. But, you know, it's a fair point, Sandra. I hear your concern. I just want to let you know, I hear your concerns. I'm going to have to think about a lot of the comments that I've heard today and reflect on them. So I appreciate you bringing them up.”
    • [1:27:09] “So it's a good question. And I don't have an answer for you other than my job as a trustee is to listen. And in this particular circumstance, I have, you know, I have. So to be completely honest on this helicopter issue, it's like I've got 40 emails and letters from people that want to support this idea of banning as a land use regulation, a landing pad.”
    • [0:03:25] “Chair Patrick. I just had a question about how Trustee Morrison is going to be informed about the contents of the meeting. Is there a recording that she's going to be able to access? Because I know she had indicated that she's very, you know, sad and she's not able to attend today's meeting and she wanted to express that to the community.”

  3. North Pender Island Local Trust Committee community information meeting, March 24, 2022 2022-03-24

    • [1:13:42] “Mayor Mrakas, This puts the democratic process of vacation rentals in the hands of neighborhoods and in the hands of islanders, so I have, I just want to reiterate that i'm very proud of staff are working really hard on this issue, and I think this will be to the benefit of our housing stock and finding a balance in our community with regards to tourism tourist accommodation and the needs of our so that's just what I wanted to mention on that motion.”

  4. North Pender Island Local Trust Committee regular meeting, February 24, 2022 2022-02-24

    • [0:33:39] “And I was just wondering, Jamie, if you can speak to just maybe, because we don't have that in place right now, what precautions do you have in place? I do need a notice from your application. And by the way, the application you have, I mean, speaking of the CRD, they could have saved a lot of money and used your photos and the way you promoted the environmental tourist thing much better than they did, in my opinion.”
    • [1:15:25] “My goal is, I've had three separate folks say to me on three different properties, I have a big home. I don't want to live in it. I'm a senior who wants to stay on the property. The size of cottages are too small. So, does that address that? Perhaps, like what we're discussing, the flexible housing.”
    • [0:33:13] “The first one that I was concerned about that actually doesn't really relate to the application in particular, but just our STVR policy, because I've been discussing with the fire department about them doing checks on short term vacation rentals to ensure that fire safety is, you know, being properly addressed.”

  5. North Pender Island Local Trust Committee community information meeting, July 7, 2022 2022-07-07

    • [0:41:58] “Dale, thank you. Thank you for your feedback. I don't consider any comments from constituents to be whining or complaining. I take everyone's opinion into account, just like I take your opinion into account. I would recommend that you write the local trust committee. This is an important issue. And it's one that's very divisive in the community. And it's certainly one that I do not want to see make everyone pit against each other like it's been done.” (probable)
    • [1:20:56] “I would like to just give a couple more minutes to folks, an opportunity to ask any question regarding topics to do with house, the maximum floor, maximum house size, the discussion about helicopters, discussion about land, particular land being rezoned, discussion about the rezoning of Magic Lake and Tranquil Valley areas.” (probable)
    • [0:36:22] “There was concerns over affecting livestock or something like that. And the Supreme Court of Canada ruled in an overwhelming majority that the federal government ultimately has the final say on aeronautics. And local governments do not have a say. So you're correct. Federal government has jurisdictional authority over this.” (probable)

  6. North Pender Island Local Trust Committee community information meeting, January 28, 2021 2021-01-28

    • [3:16:14] “We don't really know how many rentals are on the market. We don't really know where people are living. I know there's lots of people living in trailers and living on boats and I can't find a place to live. Right. So, and the other thing we're trying to do with short term vacation rentals and managing them is we're trying to ensure that the capacity of the island doesn't get overreached.”
    • [3:28:12] “I guess what I'm wondering is, is the local, are my fellow trustees into this vibe that's going to happen? Because as soon as we start telling STVR folks that they can only use a certain amount of days, for example, in a particular shoulder season, or in a summer season, and this 200 meter radius, these are like, folks are going to be coming at us.”
    • [1:38:10] “So, I don't want to feel like we're having to do something because you've been dealing with this for a long time. I have a couple comments. The first comment is this reflects the damage of the 2001 BC Liberal government and their cutbacks. And now we're having to deal with a rezoning of a private company that now runs our highway systems, right?”

  7. North Pender Island Local Trust Committee community information meeting, October 28, 2021 2021-10-28

    • [1:59:23] “essentially, you know, interesting changes for where the driftwood center is like you're part of a longer plan, it sounds like Dorothy, and this, however, I do want to limit the amount of specific areas and specific places just so it's as, as Dorothy's indicated, it's just limited to what she's requested, rather than the potential to expand, that would potentially alleviate any concerns from folks, you know, worried about the”

  8. North Pender Island Local Trust Committee community information meeting, June 24, 2021 2021-06-24

    • [2:31:46] “I'm just saying, like, that's why I feel uncomfortable, because I could, I'm a hardliner with regards to this, that they should have sorted it out on their own, right? And then if not, apply for rezoning. So, because it's a serious use of land, right? So, yeah, like, that's why I say, I don't know if I have anything positive to contribute, but I want to contribute positively to this.”
    • [3:15:32] “let me explain. I'll happily explain myself. I want to take the time, if anyone is interested, whether I agree with them or not, politically, to offer myself to educate them, just like previous trustees have done for me from both sides of the political spectrum.”
    • [3:15:50] “Gary Steeves gave me his thoughts. Ken Hancock gave me his thoughts. Derek Masselin gave me his thoughts. Diane Barber gave me their thoughts. I mean, that's what I said. I'm not plugging any candidates. So please don't spread that or have that impression. Thank you.”

  9. North Pender Island Local Trust Committee community information meeting, May 27, 2021 2021-05-27

    • [3:27:05] “So then my next question is, you know, I was a renter on Pender for four or five years, and, you know, it was unstable. But I had to downsize my possessions. So I'm wondering, you know, why do you feel that the Islands Trust should take into account your storage of personal possessions as part of land usage? Why should that be part of our decision?”
    • [0:06:15] “I encourage folks to consider donating and to also pay attention to the campaign ahead to make sure our healthcare society can withstand the pressures and the population pressures that are going to take place as a result of the massive shift that's taking place as a result of the real estate market, new folks coming and relocating as a result of this pandemic.”

  10. North Pender Island Local Trust Committee community information meeting, March 25, 2021 2021-03-25

    • [0:06:19] “But is it a good thing to do? Is this an appropriate thing to do? I'm not sure. And I've noticed in the past three weeks, I find myself in the middle as trustee of neighbor disputes. And I'm wondering if we can figure out ways to alleviate that because it ultimately costs the taxpayers money when the government is forced to play babysitter for neighbor disputes.” (probable)
    • [1:05:59] “so from my understanding from this motion, Trustee Morrison, you just want other alternatives, like so the way that the staff has presented the report and the way that the applicants presented the report, you're feeling like, hey, have you guys really checked out all the different environmental alternatives to this?” (probable)

  11. North Pender Island Local Trust Committee community information meeting, October 27, 2022 2022-10-27

    • [1:00:31] “So a couple of questions. So the actions of a previous temporary use permit impacts a current application. Okay. And then that's your rationale. And then the other comment is, you know, well, how about, why don't we defer it till next, till you get Aaron and the next chair in and then give Charlie and folks a month to address these concerns?”
    • [1:07:01] “So I guess what you missed, Chair, was, you know, I thought maybe this is an opportunity for us to defer the decision for the next trust committee, but I'm just now I'm thinking, well, and then Charlie could go and talk to the people that are complaining, but now they're anonymous, so there's no way of really dealing with that.”

  12. North Pender Island Local Trust Committee community information meeting, July 28, 2022 2022-07-28

    • [2:01:58] “I'd just like to thank everyone. It was a really good conversation. It's become North Pender, just really great detailed thoughts. Not personal, which I really appreciate. It can be hard in a small community to really keep your thoughts, you know, more calm and calm language. So I really appreciate everyone's logical thoughts today. It's something that I'm going to seriously consider.”

  13. North Pender Island Local Trust Committee community information meeting, February 5, 2022 2022-02-05

    • [1:23:59] “There is no ask of the community. Certainly, yeah, with dogs, you got to talk to the province. But why can't we talk to North Penderites as well, especially if you've got some concerns? To me, I consider this bylaw review is very challenging, not necessarily popular, but it is certainly not a personal agenda on any regard.”
    • [1:24:18] “It is a pro-democratic, pro-local governance approach that I think if you really sit down and think about it, how could you be opposed to allowing community members to have a say on how their islands are run and how we protect the environment, how we ensure a healthy, sustainable economy? Thanks.”
    • [0:56:02] “I've had a great meeting with them, but it's unclear to me how many units they want to put in, what they want to do, how that will impact the McKinnon Road, which is a very small road, highly densified, how this will impact groundwater.”

  14. North Pender Island Local Trust Committee special meeting, May 12, 2021 2021-05-12

    • [0:54:56] “you force someone to live on the, like, you get what I'm saying? Like, if we tell the company they have to build commercial housing for, you know, employees, does that then therefore mean, like, they're required to have employees stay there? Like, it's kind of, that's the only trouble I have with this whole issue.”
    • [1:51:37] “If they start doing that, well, then they come back and they say, well, it's for the greater good. It's for the sewer system. So, you know, just walk this one off. That's the kind of correspondence I've been getting from people. Oh, are you an impediment now? Right?”

  15. North Pender Island Local Trust Committee special meeting, October 22, 2021 2021-10-22

    • [1:10:36] “I'm just wondering if that's, I mean, that's really clear. Should we reach out to the owners, discuss whether or not they want to investigate this covenant idea, as well as wait and hear back at the November 25th LTC meeting regarding the mapping? It seems, what do you think? I don't know.”
    • [2:00:58] “So the question, should the local government or local trust create a regulation in which there's stricter controls on their operations? And that's kind of what the debate should be, I believe. And yeah, Robert, it would be great to hear what the contractors think about this.”

  16. North Pender Island Local Trust Committee community information meeting, September 1, 2022 2022-09-01

    • [0:57:58] “Sustainability. What is your, what is the, what is your position, et cetera, et cetera. What is your position on the McKinnon road and density in the future? Now, uh, I'm, I'm aware that there are some folks that want to have answers right away, um, and have this all shored up.”
    • [0:38:39] “So, for example, with us, burdettes, we would be allowed to have a boat with a cover and, say, a shipping container for the storage of life jackets and cushions, but we wouldn't be allowed to have a vehicle parked on the property while someone is unloading, loading the boats.”
    • [0:49:15] “And I'm feeling like now that the winter of 2022 is over and we've had a summer now and we have an election coming up, it's something for us to really consider maybe putting this to the electorate and then the folks present their case.”

  17. North Pender Island Local Trust Committee community information meeting, July 29, 2021 2021-07-29

    • [1:07:26] “I mean, it's hard to predict that type of thing. But my goal of this and my outcome for this is to hopefully have farmers, you know, having workers there, because that's what I've heard from farmers is it's the biggest impediment to having really a successful local food production.” (probable)

  18. North Pender Island Local Trust Committee community information meeting, January 27, 2022 2022-01-27

    • [3:52:47] “Now, I'm just curious, like, what, I don't really know what comments I'm allowed to make about the Board of Variants. I don't quite know what its role is. And I'm wondering if you could just briefly explain that, because there seems to be a controversy.”
    • [2:51:33] “So all STVRs should be subject to fire and safety approvals and I understand planter stock bill. That's not in the current situation right now, but I mean I had the fire desk fire chief, and I can't remember what Todd's actual position is”

Motions and votes from the minutes

Every motion the Islands Trust's published minutes record Ben McConchie moving, seconding, voting against or abstaining on. The wording is the minutes' own; each row links to the minutes document in the archive.

DateBodyNo.MotionTheir partOutcomeMinutes
2022-06-21Islands Trust CouncilTC-2022-046that a standing Governance Committee of Trust Council be established per Terms of Reference and Draft Policy attached with inaugural members elected June 23 rd by Trust Council. The inaugural committee will finalize relevant policy and prepare a list of initial recommendations for use by next Council term’s Governance Committee members. Discussion ensued. Islands Trust Council Minutes ADOPTED Page 6 of 21 June 21 -23, 2022 TC-2022-047 It wasSeconded—minutes · source
2022-06-21Islands Trust CouncilTC-2022-070that the Trust Council direct staff to provide communication materials for understanding the changes in fees.SecondedCARRIEDminutes · source
2022-03-08Islands Trust CouncilTC-2022-006that Trust Council review the 2022/23 draft budget, using the document entitled “Alternate Budget Items and Amounts” as a reference.SecondedCARRIEDminutes · source
2022-03-08Islands Trust CouncilTC-2022-010that Trust Council use the staff prepared budget on which to base our discussions with on passing a budget.SecondedCARRIEDminutes · source
2021-07-08Islands Trust CouncilTC-2021-062that we add under business item 4.0, trustee roundtable. Discussion ensued. TC-2021-063 It wasSeconded—minutes · source
2021-05-27North Pender IslandNP-2021-056that the North Pender Island Local Trust Committee (LTC) approve issuance of renewal application Temporary Use Permit NP-TUP-2021.4 (Grimmer) shown as Attachment 1 for a period of two (2) years. A discussion of the history of the application, ongoing bylaw enforcement matters, and the community’s current process of evaluating industrial land planning was held. Trustee McConchie spoke against the motion and provided a rationale for withholding his support.Voted againstCARRIEDminutes · source
2021-05-27North Pender IslandNP-2021-057that the North Pender Island Local Trust Committee approve issuance of Temporary Use Permit application NP-2021.6 (VanGeel) for a period of one (1) year.Voted againstCARRIEDminutes · source
2021-03-09Islands Trust CouncilTC-2021-008that, Trust Council remove from the Strategic Plan, item 16, part i, ii, iii, iv, and v, associated with housing and that these items be referred to Local Trust Committees and their local planning staff for consideration to include these matters in their local planning projects.SecondedDEFEATEDminutes · source
2020-06-16Islands Trust CouncilTC-2020-063that the Trust Council request a report from staff about the potential to have an Islands Trust structure to manage Community Benefit Land Trusts.SecondedCARRIEDminutes · source
2020-02-27North Pender IslandNP-2020-012that the North Pender Island Local Trust Committee (LTC) require that any application for renewal of Temporary Use Permit NP-TUP-2018.5 (Grimmer) include a monitoring report prepared by a qualified professional engineer addressing adherence to the conditions of NP-TUP-2018.5 and the Environmental Management Plans as specified in Subsection 4. bb) of Attachment 1.Voted againstCARRIEDminutes · source
2019-09-17Islands Trust CouncilTC-2019-072that Trust Council approve the following dates: March 10-12, 2020; excluding June 16-18, 2020; including September 15-17, 2020; and December 1-3, 2020 as the preferred dates for its 2020 meeting schedule.MovedDEFEATEDminutes · source
2019-09-17Islands Trust CouncilTC-2019-075that item #4, “advocate to reduce the impacts of freighter anchorages”, be removed.MovedDEFEATEDminutes · source
2019-09-17Islands Trust CouncilTC-2019-078that item #10 “support and promote water conservation measures such as rainwater catchment and greywater recycling” be removed.MovedCARRIEDminutes · source
2019-06-18Islands Trust CouncilTC-2019-049that Trust Council request staff to prepare a report about the costs and feasibility of filming and streaming videos of public meetings through the new Islands Trust website and social media.MovedCARRIEDminutes · source
2019-06-18Islands Trust CouncilTC-2019-050that Trust Council request that each local trust committee and Trust Council committees indicate whether it has an interest in filming and streaming its public meetings.MovedCARRIEDminutes · source
2019-06-18Islands Trust CouncilTC-2019-064that Trust Council on Bowen Island be extended to two full days starting Tuesday and Wednesday.MovedCARRIEDminutes · source
2019-06-18Islands Trust CouncilTC-2019-066that the correspondence received from Trustee Wright be added for discussion to the September Trust Council meeting.MovedCARRIEDminutes · source
2019-04-07North Pender IslandNP-2019-067that the North Pender Island Local Trust Committee request that staff include the Mainroad site and the MacDonald Farm site as previously identified, for limited transfer, in the draft Bylaws 214 and 215.Voted againstCARRIEDminutes · source

Attendance per the minutes

YearPresentAbsent or regrets
201830
2019160
2020195
2021276
2022211
Every minuted meeting (98)

Most-used words on the record

that's (701) · don't (532) · we're (413) · there's (381) · bylaw (303) · community (277) · pender (254) · you're (246) · north (239) · folks (217) · great (197) · patrick (190) · wondering (187) · property (180) · we've (170) · morrison (163) · number (155) · public (154) · they're (153) · understand (153) · sorry (151) · issue (147) · process (143) · first (135)

Meetings they speak most in

  1. North Pender Island Local Trust Committee community information meeting, March 25, 2021 — 2021-03-25, 9,214 words
  2. North Pender Island Local Trust Committee community information meeting, January 28, 2021 — 2021-01-28, 8,889 words
  3. North Pender Island Local Trust Committee community information meeting, March 24, 2022 — 2022-03-24, 8,594 words
  4. North Pender Island Local Trust Committee community information meeting, October 28, 2021 — 2021-10-28, 8,371 words
  5. North Pender Island Local Trust Committee community information meeting, May 27, 2021 — 2021-05-27, 7,806 words
  6. North Pender Island Local Trust Committee regular meeting, February 24, 2022 — 2022-02-24, 7,324 words
  7. North Pender Island Local Trust Committee community information meeting, January 27, 2022 — 2022-01-27, 7,094 words
  8. North Pender Island Local Trust Committee community information meeting, June 24, 2021 — 2021-06-24, 6,502 words
  9. North Pender Island Local Trust Committee community information meeting, April 29, 2021 — 2021-04-29, 6,263 words
  10. North Pender Island Local Trust Committee community information meeting, August 13, 2022 — 2022-08-13, 6,261 words

Words on the record by year

YearRecorded meetingsLinesWords
2021115,34167,122
2022124,50458,179

Every transcript they speak in (23)

Transcripts are machine-made from the Islands Trust's own recordings; each speaker attribution carries a confidence mark (certain = identified by ear or hand, probable = matched to a saved voice), and every line links to the second of the recording so it can be checked. Motions, votes and attendance are taken from the Trust's published minutes and quote them verbatim.