Federal international trade minister Stockwell Day is riding the Victoria International Marina wave.

Stockwell Day enters marina mix

Further proof this week that Victoria International Marina developer Bob Evans has been working hard to secure the support of high level Conservative Party members to make his yacht-parking plan a reality. 

In a March 19, 2009 letter to federal transportation minister John Baird, Minister of International Trade Stockwell Day writes, "I am writing to you about the Victoria International marina project currently underway in Victoria Harbour. I toured the area around this project last summer and was very impressed with the benefit the development will have on the local economy and the positive impact it will have on the harbour itself."

In the missive's opening, Day crossed out "Dear Colleague" and pencilled in "Dear John" in his own hand. 

The letter continues, "This project continues to be a potential economic generator and will no doubt mean more jobs to the local area once operational. I ask you help make this proposal a reality as soon as possible."

What precisely Day hopes Baird can accomplish is unclear, as the project is supposed to be undergoing impartial environmental and harbour traffic reviews to determine its suitability for the location. 

Critics of the project continue to wonder whether Evans' standing in the Conservative Party will enable the marina's proponents to circumvent certain regulatory requirements.