FRIENDS OF VIC HIGH EXPECT LEGAL PETITION TO BE TAKEN UP BY BC SUPREME COURT IN THE NEXT 3 TO MONTHS.
Legal teams representing School District 61, the City of Victoria, the Capital Region Housing Corporation, and the Ministry of Education and Childcare, ALL engaged in an extended pre-court discovery process.
Dear Friends,
The FOVH and our legal team have been busy this summer and fall in support of the petition filed by Brit Forsyth: An order quashing the statutory right-of-way (the "SRW") along the western boundary of Victoria High School ("Vic High"). Our expectation is that the legal challenge to SD61 will be taken up by the BC Supreme Court very soon, possibly before the end of 2023.
After filing in April 2023, the legal team (representing Mr. Forsyth) engaged directly with four separate legal teams representing the parties named in the petition to the court. We expected some parties to join in on their responsess, but each has decided to address their interests separately.
Although this has created much more work for our legal team and extended all the preliminaries required before the case can be ready for court, it is also an indication of the strong case put forth in Mr. Forsyth’s petition, singularly focused to get Vic High land that should have been retained for educational purposes.
This is truly a David vs Goliath scenario. Our small, volunteer-based organization, with limited resources, is supporting the effort — taking on major governmental institutions with extensive resources and funds at their disposal.
We are small but mighty. We have not been dissuaded from this challenge. However, we have used up much of the original $25,000 that initially fuelled our Legal Fund, raised through generous donations from alumni, parents and caregivers, concerned citizens and friends. After more than three years of advocating for the rights of current and future Vic High students, we are preparing to cross the finish line. We need your help to get there!
DONATE TODAY:
https://www.gofundme.com/f/v4vzd-friends-of-vic-high
That’s why today we are launching our second Legal Fund Appeal. Our goal is to raise a minimum of $30,000. These added monies will be used to cover legal costs related to continued engagement with all parties, and for expected in-court fees. Any remaining monies following the legal process will be invested in programs and initiatives that directly support Vic High students.
We appreciate any and all support. Every donation matters, large or small. Current and future Vic High students are counting on you, counting on all of us.
Together we can continue the fight to bring back the athletic resources originally promised for Vic High. Thank you in advance for your support.
Visit our GoFundMe page to donate today and please share in your network!
DONATE TODAY:
https://www.gofundme.com/f/v4vzd-friends-of-vic-high
As soon as we receive news of a court date, we will notify you right away.
Let’s do this!
Best,
Stephen Dorsey
Vic High Grad 84
Co-Founder FOVH