More than a month after B.C. Environment Minister Terry Lakes announced the provincial government was withdrawing its support for a national park for the South Okanagan-Similkameen, the emotions regarding that decision have not subsided.
After more than nine years of negotiations between Parks Canada, the province and federal government, it should surprise no one that those who are so strongly in favour of the national park for this area are not yet willing to accept Lake’s decision and believe the matter can be reopened for discussion.
At a meeting sponsored by the Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society last week in Osoyoos, it was very evident the issue of a national park in the South Okanagan remains loaded with emotion by those strongly in favour and those opposed and that’s not likely to change any time soon.
As Osoyoos Mayor Stu Wells clearly pointed out in a calm and collective voice during a meeting where you could cut the tension with a knife, perhaps the time has come to put this obviously crucial issue to all voters in the affected area through a public referendum.
Opinion polls and surveys have clearly shown the majority of taxpayers over the age of 18 in the South Okanagan-Similkameen area are in favour of the opening of a national park in the area to the tune of roughly 60 per cent.
As Chloe O’Loughlin, director of terrestrial conservation for the Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society  pointed out during the public meeting, it’s her opinion the province withdrew its support for the national park because those with influence – namely municipal politicians and wealthy business owners – did not speak out in favour of the park loudly enough over the past couple of years.
The reality is the province has made a decision to withdraw support and there’s going to have to be a major outcry from an awful lot of people, including politicians, First Nations leaders and the public at large for this issue to be revisited and talks to resume.
The four First Nations from the South Okanagan released a statement a couple of weeks ago stating their disappointment the province made its decision to withdraw support without consulting them.
Another key issue in this entire debate is the fact the province so far refuses to release the $2 million feasbility study that has been put together detailing issues and concerns from all stakeholders.
It’s unacceptable that the province refuses to release this document or any specific reasons about why it has withdrawn support for the park.
After nine years of negotiations, members of the public on both sides of the debate should have open access to this document and the sooner the better.
It would be very difficult to argue against a public referendum being the best solution to resolve this issue once and for all. If there’s a no vote following what would be a highly-publicized referendum, this issue should be dead once and for all.
But if the yes side prevails, the province has an obligation to listen to the majority and make this national park a reality.
It’s the right thing to do and here’s hoping the province is listening and is open to a public referendum before 2012 expires. Holding a referendum over the national park would most certainly cost significant dollars, but sometimes democracy comes with a cost.
The national park debate is one of those touchstone issues the majority of people don’t mind their taxpayer dollars being spent on.