Council sharply divided on study to improve air service from Penticton

It took more than 20 minutes of debate and five different motions last Tuesday before Osoyoos Town Council reached a consensus to provide $700 towards a study aimed at improving air service at Penticton Airport.

The debate was rare for a council that seldom sees strong disagreements, and it came during a marathon council meeting lasting nearly two hours and 20 minutes – not including a separate public hearing and special open council meeting.

The request for funding came from the City of Penticton, which wants to provide a business case for Air Canada to improve its service to Vancouver by switching to the 74-seat Bombardier Q400 from the current aging 50-seat Dash 8-300.

“The new Q400 aircraft has modern avionics equipment that allows for operations in low-ceiling conditions, unlike the older technology avionics used by the Dash 8-300, which is often prohibited or delayed from landing or departing at Penticton, particularly during the winter months,” said Peter Weeber, Penticton chief administrative officer, in a letter to Barry Romanko, Osoyoos chief administrative officer.

A second goal of the study would be to review current service by WestJet to see if market demand could support additional weekly service to Calgary.

Penticton hoped to reach a goal of $30,400 by July 13 to proceed with the study. Penticton has agreed to provide $10,000 and the Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen (RDOS) has agreed to provide a further $4,000. Oliver, Keremeos, Summerland and Princeton were also asked to contribute.

SNC-Lavalin, the company proposing the study, notes that a previous study for Penticton in 2011-12 called for additional frequency by Air Canada to Vancouver and daily service to Calgary by WestJet, with both goals being achieved.

The proposal points to leakage of local air travellers to Kelowna and suggests that a larger capacity aircraft providing more reliable service could capture some of the air travel trips lost to Kelowna.

Councillor Carol Youngberg strongly supported Romanko’s recommendation that Osoyoos provide $4,000 towards the study.

“We have so many people that are tourists in our area that use this service,” said Youngberg. “The improved service from Alberta to Penticton has been hugely beneficial to our business community, and I’d like to see our town support it.”

But the proposal encountered strong headwinds from Councillors Mike Campol and C.J. Rhodes.

Rhodes argued that since the airport is federally owned, Osoyoos is already paying for it. He also suggested Osoyoos would benefit whether or not it contributes to the study.

“I just don’t see the benefit of contributing money to a study that is not going to do anything because we already have entitlement for those benefits from that airport anyway,” said Rhodes.

His position contradicted that of SNC-Lavelin.

The company noted that air carriers are continually looking for new routes or improvements to existing routes, but they lack the resources and local information to examine each route in their network.

“Communities therefore play an important role in bringing potential new routes and service changes to the attention of carriers,” said Jim Meyer, director, airport services, Airport and Aviation Group with SNC-Lavalin.

“This is particularly important for Penticton as Transport Canada, the current operator of the airport, does not actively promote air service improvements with the airlines,” Meyer continued. “Consequently, community representatives need to develop and present business cases for improved service to the airlines and follow up these meetings with updates on their local market.”

When Youngberg’s motion to accept Romanko’s recommendation of $4,000 was defeated, Councillor Jim King introduced a new motion to provide $1,200.

That too was defeated.

After a recess to hold the special open council meeting and public hearing, both on property matters, the debate resumed.

Campol introduced a motion to deny funding, but it too was defeated. Campol did not argue his case, but in several comments, he said he was unhappy that Osoyoos paid a disproportionate share of transit funding.

That left Youngberg to try for a compromise motion to fund the study with $2,000.

When Rhodes repeated his argument that federal airports are already funding by Canadian taxpayers, Mayor Sue McKortoff invited Romanko to weigh in.

Romanko supported SNC-Lavalin’s position that the federal government doesn’t promote increased air service, but rather the initiative comes from communities. Conversely, he suggested that with increased service, the federal government would probably increase its investment in the airport.

Improving service so that aircraft aren’t turned around due to low ceiling, “would be a benefit to this community, not only to the business community, but there are many, many people who travel recreationally that use the Penticton airport,” said Romanko.

McKortoff agreed, saying she regularly uses Penticton to visit her family in Vancouver.

“It’s 45 minutes from my house to the airport and $15 a week for parking,” she said, speaking in support of the contribution. “It’s pretty amazing. I would like to see improved service there and the ability for planes to land safely.”

But Youngberg’s motion to provide $2,000 was also defeated.

This left McKortoff unsure what to do next. Romanko pointed out that the motion to provide no support was already defeated, so it was up to council to find an amount they could agree on.

King seized on an earlier statement by Rhodes that he might agree to a smaller amount and King proposed $700. Rhodes seconded it.

Campol, who had been uncharacteristically quiet during the discussion, also got on board.

“I’ve got to go uncle on this one I guess,” he said.

“We’ve all supported that,” said a relieved McKortoff. “That was unanimous. Thank heavens we got through that.”

RICHARD McGUIRE

Osoyoos Times