Lik B.C:s Independent Voice For Fairness 
mbudsperson 
General Inquiries: (250) 387-5855 Toll-Free: 1-800-567-3247 Fax: (250) 387-0198 www.bcombudsperson.ca  
756 Fort Street PO Box 9039 Stn Prov Govt Victoria BC V8W 9A5 
August 13, 2010 File: 10-102366 
Mr. Murray Rankin Saturna Island Property Owners Association PO Box 27 SATURNA ISLAND BC VON 2Y0 
Dear Mr. Rankin: This is to let you know that we have  started an investigation into the complaint you made to our  Office in your capacity as Vice President of the Saturna Island Property Owners' Association (SIPOA) about the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure (the Ministry). This also acknowledges that you provided us with your authority to discuss the complaint matter with Ms. Suzie Washington-Smythe. 
You and Ms. Suzie Washington-Smythe told us that your complaint was that the Ministry has not adequately maintained the roads on Saturna Island. You told us that paving work and other road repairs are overdue and that the state of the roads is a significant public safety concern. 
As I believe you are aware, our Office can investigate alleged matters of unfairness in the procedures followed and processes used by an authority (like the Ministry) as it goes about its business of making decisions and taking actions. We normally do not investigate the decisions and actions themselves. We do not have any technical expertise in road maintenance or paving. 
We have decided to investigate whether the Ministry has followed a fair procedure with respect to decisions it has made about road maintenance on Saturna Island. 
As part of our investigation, we will require the Ministry to provide us with information regarding this matter and_ invite it to provide us with any additional comments it wishes to make. Once we analyzed have  nd reviewed the material provided to us by you, Ms Susie Washington-Smythe and by the Ministry I will contact you with respect to our preliminary conclusions. 
If you have any questions about this letter, you can reach me at (250) 387-5880. 

Harry Vogt Ombudsperson Officer 
cc Ms. Suzie Washington-Smythe