The South Okanagan-Similkameen grasslands are the site of a proposed national park. Municipalities voted in support of a resolution sponsored by Osoyoos calling on the provincial government to return to talks aimed at establishing the park. (Richard McGuire photo)
The all-party provincial finance committee is calling on the B.C. government to resume talks with the federal government and local stakeholders about a national park reserve in the South Okanagan-Similkameen.
Although the committee doesn’t include provincial cabinet ministers, government MLA Dan Ashton chairs it and a majority of its members are B.C. Liberals.
The Select Standing Committee on Finance and Government Services makes the recommendation in the Report on the 2015 Budget Consultations, which was released Nov. 13. Government and opposition committee members supported the report unanimously.
The recommendation says: “The committee recommends to the Legislative Assembly that the provincial government … work with the federal government and local stakeholders to assess the feasibility of and support for the establishment of a new national park in the South Okanagan-Similkameen.”
Neither Ashton nor Boundary-Similkameen MLA Linda Larson could be reached for comment before the Osoyoos Times went to press.
Ashton tentatively supported a park when he was chair of the Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen, but since being elected to the B.C. Liberal government in May 2013, he has reiterated that the B.C. government has no intention of reopening the issue. Larson opposes a park.
The report makes numerous recommendations on the 2015 budget based on consultations held this fall with the public and a range of organizations representing business, industry, community service providers, local government, labour and other sectors.
The report notes that the proposed South Okanagan-Similkameen National Park received support in the consultations from the South Okanagan Similkameen National Park Network, the Canadian Parks and Wilderness – B.C. Chapter, the Greater Westside Board of Trade and the South Okanagan Chamber of Commerce.
“The potential economic benefits of the proposed park were cited as including new jobs, tourism, First Nations opportunities and local diversification,” the finance committee’s report says. “They also stated that the cost of establishing the park would be borne by the federal government.”
Doreen Olson, co-ordinator of the SOS National Park Network, said she sees the recommendation as a sign that the provincial government may be opening up on the issue.
“It’s looking more positive,” she said.
The South Okanagan Chamber of Commerce (SOCC) also issued an email statement on Monday to members applauding the recommendation.
“The South Okanagan Chamber heartily applauds the committee’s recommendation, and will continue to lobby for the talks to resume,” said Bonnie Dancey, SOCC’s chief executive officer.
The provincial government abruptly broke off talks with the federal government about a park in early 2012. Without provincial support, Parks Canada also took the issue off the table.
The finance committee’s report also notes that the South Okanagan-Lower Similkameen region is described as one of the most important ecosystems in the world and is home to nearly 60 federally listed endangered species.
RICHARD McGUIRE
Osoyoos Times
