Boundary-Similkameen MLA Linda Larson may work hard for her constituents and reflect their concerns on a number of matters.
But when it comes to the issue of a national park reserve in the South Okanagan-Lower Similkameen, Larson is stubbornly determined to ignore her constituency.
An independently conducted poll released last week found support in Boundary-Similkameen for a national park at 65 per cent – and even wider support if Penticton is considered.
The poll also found a substantial majority of residents don’t believe that B.C. government protections for the endangered species and habitat are adequate and they disagree with Larson’s view that federal protection is not necessary.
When people hear news they don’t like, the reaction often is to shoot the messenger.
Not surprisingly, this was Larson’s response as she suggested the results of the poll were skewed by the questions asked.
The poll, she said, will not in any way change her own or her government’s opposition to the park.
A close look at the methodology used by pollster McAllister Opinion Research shows, however, that the poll was done according to industry best practices – both in terms of selecting a random sample of population and asking fair questions.
This is not the first time Larson has defied common sense to support her opposition to the park.
A year ago, Larson famously put forth the twisted logic that ranchers are more valuable than tourists, as if the two were mutually exclusive.
Ironically, when last week’s poll looked at the views of those who run a farm or a ranch as a business, 79 per cent said they support a national park while only 12 per cent were opposed.
So much for Larson’s argument.
Larson insists that those putting forth the survey are a “small, very well funded group … when everyone else has agreed to come to the table and come up with solutions that fit all people.”
Really?
At last Wednesday’s media conference to announce the poll results, a panel speaking in support included Osoyoos Mayor Sue McKortoff, South Okanagan Chamber of Commerce President Brian Highley, Tinhorn Creek Winery owner Kenn Oldfield on behalf of wine industry associations, Oliver councillor Petra Ventimilla and Ellen Walker-Matthews, who was speaking for the Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association.
Other organizations that have passed resolutions calling for the province to get back to the table with the federal government include the B.C. Chamber of Commerce, Union of B.C. Municipalities, Okanagan Basin Water Board, regional districts throughout the area, the B.C. Wine Institute, Destination Osoyoos and various environmental organizations.
It has become clear it is Larson and her small clique who are out of step with mainstream opinion – not the other way around.
Larson is trying to show that there is momentum behind a provincially led process to protect the environment and attract tourism without a national park.
Several organizations that support a park have tried to stay on Larson’s good side by engaging in these talks, even if they may privately wonder if they are being used.
Such may be the case with Larson’s farfetched idea of having the Osoyoos Desert Centre, a 67-acre piece of leased provincial land next to the dump, declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
It’s not beyond the realm of possibility that a national park in conjunction with the Desert Centre could receive UNESCO status, but Larson’s idea as it stands is a pipe dream and a deflection from park issue.
It may be that a majority supports a national park, but that only a few people will change political support on the basis of this issue alone.
Larson no doubt hopes this is true.
But an MLA who demonstrates a pattern of going against her constituents and defending her actions with twisted logic and non-sequiturs may find herself losing support from those same constituents.
It’s time for Larson to remove her blinders.
